Sprites
From MythicalWiki
Sprite History
This site uses Pixel Art (Sprites) to represent creatures available to collect. Over the years sprites have taken different forms, and progressed along different paths.
Original Sprites
In computer graphics, a sprite is a two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene.
Sprites were originally invented as a method of quickly compositing several images together in two-dimensional video games using special hardware. As computer performance improved, this optimization became unnecessary and the term evolved to refer specifically to the two-dimensional images themselves that were integrated into a scene. That is, figures generated by either custom hardware or by software alone were all referred to as sprites. As three-dimensional graphics became more prevalent, the term was used to describe a technique whereby flat images are seamlessly integrated into complicated three-dimensional scenes.
In more modern terminology, another name for sprites is Pixel Art.
Pixel Art
Pixel art is a form of digital art, created through the use of raster graphics software, where images are edited on the pixel level. Graphics in most old (or relatively limited) computer and video games, graphing calculator games, and many mobile phone games are mostly pixel art.
Creating Sprites for Mythical Moments
If you would like to create some sprites for Mythical Moments, then the following information would be a good idea to keep in mind.
Sprite Specifications
There are some specifications that are required for Mythical Moments sprites. These specifications help keep things consistant, as well as make the game run more smoothly.
File Format
.gif please. Since .gif appears to be the smallest filesize, and since all our other sprites are in .gif format, it only makes sense to continue to use that format.
Adult Sprites
100x100 (100 wide, 100 high)
Ungendered/Gendered
Slightly smaller (they have yet to grow into adults).
Starting Stage
Smaller still, it's just the start.
Colour Usage
There is no limit to the amount of colours you can use. Honestly, how many colours can you fit into an image 100x100? Sometimes more is less, and sometimes less is more. When using colours, try to make it look appropriate, don't just use colours because you can.
Design Concept
Since this is a mythical creatures site, most creatures are from ... you guessed it, mythology. But, in saying that, there are two ways to decide how to make something. Firstly, you could make an image that fits the current way people interpret and expect mythical creatures to look. Secondly, since mythical creatures are just that, a myth, you can bring your imagination into play, and create a unique variation on a traditional creature.
Artistic license is allowed, and the only limitation that is really set on the design concept is ... right again, your imagination. Try to come up with something that will make people go "WOW". If you can do that, then that is what you should be creating.
Where do I post?
Posting a thread for your creation in the Sub-Forums for the particular creature type is best. If a Sub-Forum for the creature type you are creating doesn't exist, post it here on the forum. Maybe that creature type will be added so that you, and others, can make more of the specific type of creature.
What to do when the creature is completed?
All sprites have four stages: starting stage, ungendered, gendered (male, female or generic), adult. When you feel the creature is completed, add the four stages of the sprite to the first post for that proposed creature. There are plans for a site setup for posting links to completed sprite threads, and our staff will look them over and see about incorporating them into the game. We will let you know when the site has been made and ready for use.
What does the starting stage look like?
The starting stage is just that: what the creature looks like at its youngest development. Common examples include seeds for plants and eggs for birds. Since this is a site for mythical creatures, the starting stage could be anything. Some accepted creature types have an established set of stages. Check the Sub-Forums for the creature you are trying to create to see what the different stages should be. If a Sub-Forum doesn't exist for the creature you are trying to create, make a starting stage that seems appropriate. It might be decided by the staff that the starting stage should be different, but it is better to suggest an idea than just to wait to be told.
What do I do if my creature is included in the game? =
Start work on another one? Well, you can do one of four things. Firstly, you can start work on another one. Secondly, you can sit back and enjoy the game, knowing that you participated in making it more diverse and illustrious. Thirdly, you can relax, watch a movie, have a cold drink and some popcorn. Fourthly, you can run and hide in a cave somewhere. We don't recommend the fourth option in winter, it gets cold. And there might be bears.
Sprite Ownership
When working on a site like this, it gets tricky when determining who owns what, and then there are all the how's and the why's and the where's and so on and so forth.
To protect the game from losing the content that makes the game playable, it is asked that Mythical Moments has ownership rights to the created images. These rights include deciding who may or may not use the sprite.
To protect the artist, all rights to changing the created image are held by the artist.
So it is effectively a dual ownership scenario.
This is done primarily to protect the game. Mystic doesn't ask for any rights but for Mythical Moments to hold the rights, Mythical Moments (not Mystic) has no intention of selling any of the images. All images will be used solely for Mythical Moments, and subsequent fansites, and other sites related to Mythical Moments that have been granted permission.
If you wish to use an image, you can contact Mystic on the forums. If you wish to modify a sprite for any purpose, contact the artist involved. You can find which artist created which creature by visiting the Creatures Listing. You can contact that artist through the forums, by visiting the link of this Staff Listing or former Staff by looking them up in the Members Listings on the forums.
Respect the game, respect the artist, and lets all play nicely together.
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