The ghosts of flame wars past

Multiplayer Scenarios / Campaigns · Post by **Rhuvaen** » December 9th, 2004, 1:45 pm

I really begin to like it - the image looks more defined and captures the spirit of the original Shadow well - but I have two points:

- claws are too symmetric. I think the shadow would look scarier if one were a bit lower than the other. He almost looks like he's praying...

- does a shadow cast a shadow? Wouldn't have thought so... then what is this "smudge" doing around his base (and the base of the spectre)? It looks quite out of proportion compared to the rest of the shadows as well. If it's supposed to be mist, well then make it lighter, and try to give it some more (wispy) texture, it isn't coming out yet.

Heh, I'm not a graphics artist, I'm a perfectionist

.

Post by **Darth Fool** » December 9th, 2004, 3:08 pm

Well, as a fan of the old shadow, I must say jetryl, I like it.

MRhe · Post by **MRhe** » December 9th, 2004, 5:54 pm

I think this new Shadow looks quite good. I prefer it to the old one because it is in a syle similar to the rest of the Ghost line. I like the blue coloring as well.

Perhaps bigger claws and/or positioning them so that the claws hang down (as in he's ready to slash/grab in an up-down motion) might be a good alteration?

Or perhaps extending an arm out or up to give him a more active appearance?

Just suggestions...

Post by **Jetrel** » December 10th, 2004, 12:11 am

Rhuvaen wrote:claws are too symmetric. I think the shadow would look scarier if one were a bit lower than the other. He almost looks like he's praying...

oh, he's preying all right.
(I'll take a look at it)

Rhuvaen wrote:does a shadow cast a shadow? Wouldn't have thought so... then what is this "smudge" doing around his base (and the base of the spectre)? It looks quite out of proportion compared to the rest of the shadows as well. If it's supposed to be mist, well then make it lighter, and try to give it some more (wispy) texture, it isn't coming out yet.

It's not supposed to be mist, it's supposed to be unlight. The thing floating above is evil enough that it does not cast a shadow, rather it casts something else - the opposite of light (which a shadow is not - a shadow is simply the abscence of light).

This is why it is much bigger than a normal shadow, and is not cast on the ground - it spreads on it like light from a lantern would.

Gafgarion · Post by **Gafgarion** » December 10th, 2004, 5:14 am

Jetryl wrote:It's not supposed to be mist, it's supposed to be unlight. The thing floating above is evil enough that it does not cast a shadow, rather it casts something else - the opposite of light (which a shadow is not - a shadow is simply the abscence of light).

This is why it is much bigger than a normal shadow, and is not cast on the ground - it spreads on it like light from a lantern would.

I love the concept, but I think that the subtlety would be lost on the average player.

scott · Post by **scott** » December 10th, 2004, 6:09 am

Yes, but there is a lot of subtlety elsewhere such as in unit balancing and terrain placement. People obsess over one or two pixels. Maybe people subconsciously pick up on the subtlety. I think if it's good, then it's good.

Elvish_Pillager · December 10th, 2004, 10:27 am

scott wrote:if it's good, then it's good.

And since it's good, it's therefore good.

tigrezno · Post by **tigrezno** » December 14th, 2004, 8:57 pm

any unit should be noticeable in every terrain...

Post by **turin** » December 15th, 2004, 1:36 pm

tigrezno wrote:any unit should be noticeable in every terrain...

can you give us an example (i.e. composite image) of where this is not noticeable? or are you just spouting nonsense to get this rejected because you don't like it?

vartagh · Post by **vartagh** » December 16th, 2004, 1:52 am

ACE WORK!!

tigrezno · Post by **tigrezno** » December 18th, 2004, 3:02 pm

The nightgaunt need some work, see it over mountains, it's very difficult to locate.

Elvish_Pillager · Post by **Elvish_Pillager** » December 18th, 2004, 4:14 pm

tigrezno wrote:The nightgaunt need some work, see it over mountains, it's very difficult to locate.

I have no problem seeing units, since I play with HP bar displaying activated.

It's also a Shadow, not a Nightgaunt.

tigrezno · Post by **tigrezno** » December 18th, 2004, 4:53 pm

Elvish Pillager wrote:
tigrezno wrote:The nightgaunt need some work, see it over mountains, it's very difficult to locate.
I have no problem seeing units, since I play with HP bar displaying activated.

It's also a Shadow, not a Nightgaunt.

A shadow, it's correct, sorry.

So, are you saying you can play with a unit like this? it have a HP bar so you can see it over any terrain

[edit] it's only an example, nothing relevant on jetryl's shadow.

Elvish_Pillager · Post by **Elvish_Pillager** » December 18th, 2004, 5:22 pm

tigrezno wrote:So, are you saying you can play with a unit like this? it have a HP bar so you can see it over any terrain

[edit] it's only an example, nothing relevant on jetryl's shadow.

Yup.

Myself, I also use the ellipses beneath units, and even the Shadow isn't quite that invisible.

Post by **Darth Fool** » December 19th, 2004, 7:07 pm

tigrezno wrote:The nightgaunt need some work, see it over mountains, it's very difficult to locate.

Is that the new (blue) version? It doesn't look very blue. Perhaps some red eyes or claws could enhance the contrast on mountains...