Zephyr: Help Us Decide?

[Irhymer]

Hey Eclipse. As some of you know, I'm the lead designer on an Eclipse project called "Zephyr".
(WIP Topic Here: [http://www.touchofdeathforums.com/smf2/index.php/topic,82024.0.html](http://www.touchofdeathforums.com/smf2/index.php/topic,82024.0.html))

These are examples of the original "retro" graphic style we used for the game:


  

But we've recently picked up on a more "chibi" style (created by skevsan) that we've fallen in love with:


   

So help us decide. Which of the two graphic styles would you prefer to see in the world of Zephyr? Vote above, and reply below with any reasons for your choice.  ;)

- Jake

[Keebler Elf]

For the sake of your game I am going to say chibi. When people are picking a new game to play the first thing they will see is the graphics. The vast majority will make their decision as to if they want to even download it within the first few seconds of viewing these graphics. While the retro ones might get a few to want to play, the chibi style is easier on the eyes and will get more people to actually try out the gameplay and give the game as a whole a chance.

[MCADAMS]

Assuming I'm allowed to vote on this considering I'm apart of the team now, I'd go with the 'retro' graphics. They're basically what got me and a lot of others interested in the game. Considering that's basically all you had to show for upon getting positive reception, changing that might change peoples interest in the game.

I like both styles, but I have to say I like the retro one more.

[Exception]

Chibi-style. There's too many retro-styled games, it's getting rather boring now. Yes, I'm a hypocrite.

Plus, when you think about popularity, what with so many people being pro-graphics, having a retro styled game is just begging for a limited audience. Chibi at least extends that, if you choose to still use the NES/Master System/Whatever-you're-using pallete.

[JustinSD]

Chibi style forsure

[luriok]

I say chibi unless those are the sprite if so stay with retro. Those sprites are stick figures with real heads. If you can make a new version of the sprite ill stay with chibi, but for now I'm switching to the retro style.

-Azy

[Zopto]

chibi !

[Dash]

Both look fairly easy to sprite for, me being pro chibi…I'd go with....chibi.

[JohnPony]

Voted Chibi, but either style will be freaking awesome, wish you luck man.

[Jumbofile]

OMG CHIBI, but seriously im in love!

[00GuthixLord]

I'm a pixel fan, man

[Enruin]

My, the chibi style is adorable! My vote goes to them. Well done skevsan, great style.
However much I love the retro style, I must be honest, I like the chibi more.

Very nice. ;)

[IceCream Tuesday]

… "Retro" even since it isn't.

Chibi is ugly and is just a distraction from the game play.

"OMG another chibi sidescroller!"

[Infuriated]

I'm inclined to say the Chibi style. BUT, If your planning to do paperdoll, the major downside is the fact that everything except the headgear is going to be barely notable. So I'd make some crazy cool headgear to compensate and ride that aesthetic to cash shop town.

[MCADAMS]

Here's some additional stuff I've done in both styles.

Retro

>! 

Chibi

>! 

[Socuine]

Hey,

definitely go for the Chibi style, definitely. It's an awesome concept and much better than the previous Retro style, don't get me mistaken.. The Retro style was nice, but the Chibi style just beats it. There's more room for detail, more room to play with.

My vote goes to the Chibi style.

Best regards,
Socuine

[Wulfie]

Well, since 80% of side-scrolling mmo's is chibi, my vote goes for retro.

[skevsan]

Hey hey hey now. Before my graphics get bashed any further, haha. When I first noticed jakes game, I thought the retro graphics were amazing. However just as I told him, I felt that they needed to pop a bit more. Something needed to be done to make them stand out, but adding an outline would make it too much like the rotmg style. That's why I took his concept and revamped it a bit. The style is still supposed to have a retro esque, but I felt the big obnoxious heads would make it more interesting. I'd still consider it retro simply because all it is IS just a stick figure. Its a style that I fancy. The emphasis won't be on clothes as much as I would like to see nice looking hats and big ass weapons. Again, its a style. However I am not knocking the retro because my style is based off of it. I wouldn't mind working with whatever. Like I said, this is just something I fancy. I'm fine with either. Whatever the people wanna see, I would just hope I get a bit more of a chance to shine with my graphics before the decision is made. Give me some time…

[guzmanm]

The retro style has a simplistic and nostalgic appeal. It is easy to produce and easy to edit.
The chibi style has a beautifully unmatched appeal which could easily attract more users. It is obviously harder to produce than the retro style, but it is worth every second you put into it.

If I were you, I'd go for the chibi style.

[Irhymer]

Thanks everyone for your input. Yes, dubbing the two styles as "Retro" and "Chibi" isn't exactly accurate, because they are both just their own styles in the end.

But I will take all your comments/votes into consideration, and talk it over with the team. Thank you!

- Jake

[Joyce]

Don't know why, but I always steer away from the "Chibi" style, I somehow associate them with these horrible Maplestory clones or asian borefests.. I love the retro style personally, Realm of the Mad god has simply graphics for example, but it suits the game perfect and it's good fun to play, and I'm not the only person that sticks around on it. :P