The Sinister Design Forums

Games => Telepath Tactics (2015) => Topic started by: SmartyPants on February 19, 2013, 10:05:06 PM

Poll
Question: Should there be more than one shadowling sprite in Telepath Tactics?
Option 1: Definitely votes: 5
Option 2: Yes votes: 2
Option 3: Maybe votes: 0
Option 4: No votes: 1
Option 5: Hell No votes: 0
Title: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on February 19, 2013, 10:05:06 PM
If there is a campaign with shadowling soldiers (http://telepath.wikia.com/wiki/Loyalist_Soldier), healers (http://telepath.wikia.com/wiki/Loyalist_Healer),  avengers (http://telepath.wikia.com/wiki/Loyalist_Avenger), captains (http://telepath.wikia.com/wiki/Loyalist_Captain), and psy assassins (http://telepath.wikia.com/wiki/Psy_Assassin), then it would be nice if they didn't all look exactly the same. With a successful Kickstarter, Craig will have more sprites made for each class of humans, spriggats, and lizardmen.  So why not have a second sprite for the shadowling race?

According to a previous poll (http://sinisterdesign.net/forum/index.php?topic=1202.msg45132#new), the most popular shadowling sprites are Tastidian and Hellion.  With these results, I suggest having either a shadowling spirte with a bone mask like Hellion or a shadowling sprite with devil horns like Tastidian.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: ArtDrake on February 20, 2013, 01:08:12 AM
Were those not each specific circumstances? [Tastidian uniquely having the horns as far as I recall, and the bone masks signifying rank within the Shadowling Empire]
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: CraigStern on February 20, 2013, 12:15:37 PM
Other shadowlings (like Darkeye) have horns. I'd actually like to add in more variations, just to allow more visual distinctions between shadowling characters, but we'll have to see how far resources from the Kickstarter stretch.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: ArtDrake on February 20, 2013, 06:17:19 PM
Ah, I had a suspicion that there was another character with horns, but I couldn't think of who it was.

I am certainly in favor of variation, if only for aesthetics' sake. I am just a bit wary of the use of characteristics like the masks when they're not necessarily appropriate, since that might detract from the integrity of the storytelling with respect to the graphics.

Scars and other facial apparel are the only variations upon the shadowling I can think of that don't involve new anatomical features.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: bugfartboy on February 20, 2013, 08:21:15 PM
Quote from: Duckling on February 20, 2013, 06:17:19 PM
Scars and other facial apparel are the only variations upon the shadowling I can think of that don't involve new anatomical features.
Apart from color, you mean. Perhaps instead of masks there could be gloves? Those shadowlings must get cold, with their hands just floating in midair with no protection at all.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on February 21, 2013, 01:41:42 PM
Quote from: CraigStern on February 20, 2013, 12:15:37 PMI'd actually like to add in more variations, just to allow more visual distinctions between shadowling characters, but we'll have to see how far resources from the Kickstarter stretch.
Yay! This is what I was hoping to hear.

Quote from: Duckling on February 20, 2013, 06:17:19 PMI am certainly in favor of variation, if only for aesthetics' sake.
Then why would you vote "No" on this and every other Telepath Tactics poll?

Quote from: Duckling on February 20, 2013, 01:08:12 AMWere those not each specific circumstances? Tastidian uniquely having the horns as far as I recall.
Darkeye has horns too, and for all we know shadowling horns could be as common as red hair or blue eyes in humans.
(http://s16.postimage.org/q36x8mhm9/Horned_Shadowlings.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/q36x8mhm9/)

Quote from: Duckling
Quote from: Duckling on February 20, 2013, 01:08:12 AMWere those not each specific circumstances? The bone masks signifying rank within the Shadowling Empire
Quote from: Duckling on February 20, 2013, 06:17:19 PMI am just a bit wary of the use of characteristics like the masks when they're not necessarily appropriate, since that might detract from the integrity of the storytelling with respect to the graphics.
Shadowlings can still wear masks that are not associated with loyality to the Shadowling Queen.  The masks just have to be of a different style than the ones seen in previous games of the series.
(http://s13.postimage.org/t1z2ug0k3/New_Bone_Mask.png) (http://postimage.org/)

Quote from: Duckling on February 20, 2013, 06:17:19 PMScars and other facial apparel are the only variations upon the shadowling I can think of that don't involve new anatomical features.
Besides shadowlings with horns, you can also have shadowlings of different sizes like how Darkling is smaller than Shadowboxer.
(http://s18.postimage.org/kprixm0id/Shadowling_Sizes.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/kprixm0id/)

Quote from: bugfartboy on February 20, 2013, 08:21:15 PMPerhaps instead of masks there could be gloves?
I think shadowlings with gloves would be kinda odd.  If shadowings are going to use clothes, then I would perfer them to wear bandanas like Niven.  This gives them a cool outlaw or assassin type look.
(http://s17.postimage.org/4g5l0k7yj/Shadowling_Bandana.png) (http://postimage.org/)

Shadowlings can also wear hats and crowns like Thallion.
(http://s24.postimage.org/xnhn0swap/Crown.png) (http://postimage.org/)

*Edited to keep thread on topic*
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: ArtDrake on February 21, 2013, 10:59:53 PM
I am starting to feel that unless the kickstarter money stretches like a Borox and glue polymer [though this has already been established as being the assumption upon which any of my input in the matter of supplemental graphics rests], gloves would not necessarily be an effective method of Shadowling differentiation, especially in lieu of other more established and visually notable differences such as horns, coloration, and potentially masks. I am undecided on bandanas.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on February 22, 2013, 02:06:42 PM
Does that still mean that you see extra shadowling sprites as a waste of time and money?
I personally think that having more than one Shadowling spirte is important to storytelling and gameplay as having secondary gender sprites for other classes.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on February 22, 2013, 02:17:56 PM
What does everyone think about a horned shadowling?
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: bugfartboy on February 23, 2013, 01:06:51 AM
Looks okay. Perhaps another variation could be the (dare I say it) unihorn shadowling?
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on March 01, 2013, 01:47:30 PM
If you really want to see more shadowling sprites, then I suggest voting for "extra NPCs with animated sprites (http://sinisterdesign.net/forum/index.php?topic=1233.0)".
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: Sythion on March 01, 2013, 11:20:54 PM
Both the horned and outlaw Shadowlings looks great, but the unicorn one seems kinda out of place.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on March 02, 2013, 11:57:52 AM
Unlike the outlaw and the double-horned shadowling, the unihorn shadowling was intended to be a joke.


What do you think about a new bone mask that covers the entire face?
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: bugfartboy on March 02, 2013, 06:09:34 PM
The solid bone mask looks interesting. Perhaps we could create variations of it, such as a metal mask shaped like a regular mask.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: Sythion on March 02, 2013, 09:34:15 PM
It looks slightly odd, but I could see it working. On a side note, how are you creating these, MS paint or something of the sort?
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: bugfartboy on March 03, 2013, 12:30:47 AM
I believe he is using a version of Photoshop to manipulate and interchange features from various sources. It seems most are TRPG2, if I'm not mistaken.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on March 03, 2013, 02:00:12 PM
Quote from: bugfartboy on March 02, 2013, 06:09:34 PMThe solid bone mask looks interesting. Perhaps we could create variations of it, such as a metal mask shaped like a regular mask.
A metal mask might be interesting, yet I am still partial to the mask looking like it is made from bone (http://telepath.wikia.com/wiki/Bone_Mask).

Quote from: Sythion on March 02, 2013, 09:34:15 PMOn a side note, how are you creating these, MS paint or something of the sort?
Yes, I am splicing TRPG2 sprites together using MS paint.  I would create more original shadowlings, but I'm limited by my lack of natural talent and pragmatic software.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on March 30, 2013, 12:36:36 PM
Quote from: Kickstarter Update #3: Character classes and promotionsExtra character classes with animated sprites is exactly what it sounds like. There are loads of possibilities: axe-wielding bandits, more types of golems, lizardmen with bows, shadowling guardians, and so on.
Due to a Kickstarter success (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1426761469/telepath-tactics-a-strategy-rpg/posts/432817#comments), it looks like we have a good chance to see more shadowling sprites such as the classic "shadowling guardians".
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on January 15, 2014, 10:02:19 PM
Based on new updates, it looks we are going to see shadowlings with horns.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on February 01, 2014, 02:37:41 PM
Looks like there is a good chance that we will have shadowlings with bandanas too.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: SmartyPants on December 15, 2014, 11:39:10 PM
There are now four different shadowling >:D sprites! I wouldn't be oppose to more shadowling sprites, but I'm pretty satisfied with the variation available now.
Title: Re: More Shadowling Sprites
Post by: bugfartboy on December 16, 2014, 06:07:20 PM
It wouldn't be too difficult, I think, to create a Guardian sprite from the Shadowheart.  Maybe I'll take my shot at that when I have a chance this weekend.