36 replies to this topic

[greenio3]

Hello everyone! I'm making a game right now, but it really seems bland. I mean, I have the player, the sky, and the grass. How do I make the presentation of the game more exciting?

[NukeTheCat]

Uhh... More stuff? Weeds, perhaps?

[Futhark]

Does your game have any sounds?

Different foot-step sounds like when you're walking in grass or on hard surfaces. Birds flying above you, you can hear their flapping wings. Wind in the trees. Add little details here and there and the game starts looking/sounding/feeling less bland.

[RevenantGhost]

some games are made to be bland, it all depends on your game style.

[Fihrilkamal]

There's many factor that make games looks bland, like monotonous color, not enough contrast, plain background etc. Try adding more details like hills or mountains on the background, and also HUDs. Fancy HUD can make huge difference I think.

[Daddio]

The question is too vague without a screenshot to go with it.

[Spyro Conspiracy Theorist]

Like Fihrilikamal said, adding details and putting thought into the color choices can really help. I don't think you should rely on HUDs to improve the overall feel of the game, though, since HUDs are supposed to be "see-through." Metaphorically speaking, of course; the goal of the HUD is usually to register as close to the subconscious as possible. So if the visual elements of the HUD are shaping the aesthetic experience, you're probably (although not necessarily) doing it wrong.
My advice would be to do something unexpected. Skies are generally a generic blue, grass is generally a generic green... but look at this:


There are lots of much more interesting ways to show a simple grass plane and sky, just by getting a little creative and putting a little thought into it.

Edited by Spyro Conspiracy Theorist, 17 May 2012 - 04:14 AM.

[NukeTheCat]

If you guys don't mind me asking: What are HUDs? Are they views or something?

[Mr. Munchkin]

If you guys don't mind me asking: What are HUDs? Are they views or something?

HUD's are Heads-up Display's, they are the items surrounding the screen, such as health, mana, position in a race, ammo, stuff like that.

An I agree, having a cluttered HUD doesn't make the game interesting or 'less bland', it makes it confusing and hard to focus on the game.

[NukeTheCat]

Oh, so that what HUDs are... But a stylish HUD would be nice.

[Fihrilkamal]

That's just my opinion, stylish healthbar, beatifully designed HUDs does make games looks better (depends on the situation though), My favorite HUD is that in Blazblue, Metroid Prime, Dynasty Warrior 6. They're not distrcting but beautifully designed.
Having no HUD can also make a game looks cool like Mirror edge.

[chance]

I often enclose my game window in a frame or border. Nothing too wide -- maybe just 5-10 pixels, in contrasting but complimentary colors or texture. And I put my "stats" in a fixed banner at the bottom or top of the screen. Or even on the side, depending on the aspect ratio of the window. There's no right or wrong way.

If it's done correctly it looks very natural, and it doesn't clutter the playing field with any pop-up displays or health bars.

But like everything else, it's a matter of taste.

[eddie7k]

Purple color. Definitely! Purple will give your game more completeness. Add also some unicorns, because they are awesome. Maybe you should add some purple unicorns perhaps.

[JAk HAk]

Every game has the player, grass and sky. Your game has what everyone else has, and nothing unique or special. Consider finding things that you can't find in (many) other games and putting them in your own.

[Archaeaologist]

Every game has the player, grass and sky. Your game has what everyone else has, and nothing unique or special. Consider finding things that you can't find in (many) other games and putting them in your own.

That's good to do to some extent, but just because something is in every other game doesn't mean it won't be good in your own game. If you really want to have a unique look, then consider putting in a couple of things like this, but be very careful not to overdo it. Don't lose your game in an attempt to make it unique.

[Yal]

Generic discussions won't do anyone any good. Moved to off-topic...

[True Valhalla]

These will make any game look better: particles and blend effects.

[Yal]

What, there's an Off-topic forum board now? I must've missed the latest announcement!

[True Valhalla]

Bad inactive mod!

[Recreate]

Sprinkle a bit of sugar on it, or salt, depends on where you want to take it. Or you can go all-out and deep fry it, or dip it in caramel, then chocolate. That ought to make anything less bland.