(Journal 7.10.2008)
Well, I finally conclusively decided on the art style for the whole of the game. I started thinking about how nifty it would be if I could get a port onto the DS, and started thinking what it would be like to make everything at that screen resolution.
So I did a few tests. I realized that using the DS screen resolution could do quite a few good things me, as well as for the game:
- Drop the file size for the Art to roughly 1/5th what I was originally thinking.
- Drop the time it would take to create each background at least in half.
- The production environment would be far more familiar for me – as this is very similar to what I was doing when I worked at Handheld Games. This would also make it easier to make time predictions for scheduling.
- This would make the game more portable into new environments.
- This would make it easier to reuse art in different areas of the game.
- This would make it easier to have a more consistent look throughout the game.
- This would keep me from doing anything too drastic artistically – and avoid alienating audiences.
So I am now committed to this. Its going to be great.