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ANSWERED:Vampire Sprite Update

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I guess you could call this Project Revamp? *chuckles*

 

Anyhoo, with the recent two-headed and zombie updates, Vamps are doing the one thing vampires should never do - showing their age! They've got stray pixels, hangbutt, the female only has one back toe spike, and the anatomy could definitely use a pick-me-up!

 

So I'd say it's

UPDOOT TIME

 

I think this thread could be organized much like the silver update thread. DC has a plethora of fantastic artists, and I personally would love to see a selection of Vamp sprites, so should TJ decide this is a good idea, he has a lot to choose from. Good anatomy, good shading, and pose dimorphism (woot!) could all be possible improvements. Plus, vamps don't have traditional lineage projects, so changing their lineage view slightly won't suddenly cramp someone's checkerboard!

 

If you've got a sprite set to submit, I'll keep them updated here on the first post so everyone can admire the lovelies~

 

 

So, should vamps get an update? Should they not? Got a sprite to submit or crits? Discuss!

 

Please Note: This thread is for expressing your support, or opposition to the idea of a Vampire Dragon sprite update, and providing constructive criticism for the art that is submitted. "I hate the new sprites" is not constructive criticism. An example of constructive criticism would be "there is a problem with this part of the lines/anatomy, and here is a picture reference or suggestion on how to make it better." Please remember to keep discussion on topic and civil.

 

People's thoughts so far:

there should be a version where the original sprites are just re-shaded and modified to match DC standards

I'd rather we focused more on bringing newer dragons in the game than go about poking what's already settled in and loved by users.

I think it would make more sense for a vampire to look like the sprite in the OP, instead of the current cave sprite.

Current In-Cave Sprites (thank you Shokomon for grabbing these)

user posted imageuser posted imageuser posted imageuser posted imageuser posted imageuser posted image

 

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In Progress Sprite Sets + Sketches:

(Linked for size)

S1 and S2 and Adult by Dusky_Flareon

 

user posted imageuser posted imageuser posted imageuser posted imageuser posted imageuser posted image by VixenDra

Note: Anyone may submit a shading attempt using VixenDra's flats.

 

user posted imageby Shokomon

 

user posted imageuser posted imageuser posted image by Spatio (dragonwinxzodiac)

 

user posted image Lines by VixenDra, shading by Sextonator

 

user posted imageuser posted imageuser posted image/user posted imageuser posted image Lines by VixenDra, shading by Ayumi_Seto

-----------------------------------

Completed Sprite Sets:

 

 

user posted imageuser posted image/user posted imageuser posted imageuser posted image VixenDra's Lines, shaded by Shadowwolf6

Edited by dragonwinxzodiac

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Oo looking good, although the shoulder to wing section is huge. If you can get people to revamp the original vampires, could they also do the shading on the vampire variant thread? It's had problems that the sprites all looked differently shaded, since they were shaded by different people.

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I actually really wanted to get in on the expansion thread, but by the time I saw it, most all of the sprites had been pretty much done :C If this gets enough interest I can definitely see people wanting to participate in a unified expansion.

 

Concerning the shoulder - that's actually intentional! x3 A lot of the sprites I see on here have the wing arm coming directly out of the shoulder, which would make it impossible for the poor thing to have a shoulder blade and flight muscles. :U

That being said, it is a WIP so please do throw crits so I can fix as I go x)

Edited by dragonwinxzodiac

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I actually really wanted to get in on the expansion thread, but by the time I saw it, most all of the sprites had been pretty much done :C If this gets enough interest I can definitely see people wanting to participate in a unified expansion.

A friendly note that "dibs" don't really exist in DR; if you wanted to do your own take on a two-headed vampire dragon, then you could. You would possibly have to submit it as your own thread, though.

 

To the actual topic at hand: Just make sure you go through the proper channels. If you want to directly edit the existing sprites, this applies:

Before modifications may be made, the artist will be contacted and must consent. If the artist

does not respond within 30 days of being contacted, permission is granted by default.

If it's a new sprite from scratch, then you're good to go (even if it takes clear inspiration from the existing sprites).

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Ehh, I'm not big on sprite updates, but if they have to happen I think dorsals, stones, and dark greens should be higher priority than vamps.

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With the Vampire expwnsion happening, I support this as needed. Otherwise old and new vamps will clash a little too much...

Edited by Dusky_Flareon

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That new sprite is glorious! I can't see how updating the Vampires would be a problem, but then again I don't mind sprite updates. In terms of priority I agree with ADP that Vampires aren't too needful of an update (I'd say Seasonals need one the most), but they're definitely up there; plus it makes sense to update them soon, with the new Zombies coming. (Undead dragons update. biggrin.gif) It would definitely help with the Vampire Expansion DR to update the Vampires too, since right now there's a difficult question about making the new sprites match the old ones, or giving them shading more up-to-par with DC's current standards (as implied by the recent releases).

I don't know if I'll be contributing any art to this, but I would love to see more sprites for the Vampires! I'll be lurking.

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I actually really wanted to get in on the expansion thread, but by the time I saw it, most all of the sprites had been pretty much done :C If this gets enough interest I can definitely see people wanting to participate in a unified expansion.

 

Concerning the shoulder - that's actually intentional!  x3  A lot of the sprites I see on here have the wing arm coming directly out of the shoulder, which would make it impossible for the poor thing to have a shoulder blade and flight muscles. :U

That being said, it is a WIP so please do throw crits so I can fix as I go x)

On a side note, you can still get in on the expansion thread if you want! We will still need a sketcher/spriter for some versions, and possibly help with shading (you can ask Dusky if she needs help with shading). Even just criticism on the sprites would be great.

- Or you could make you own thread for new vampires. I mean there was a vampire pygmy thread before the expansion thread appeared.

 

As for THIS thread, I support an update, but maybe we should poke the original spriters to see how they feel about it.

 

Also, I know with the last update thread, things in the thread got hairy because some people liked the old sprites and didn't want updates, while others were all for updates, and arguments got really, REALLY heated.

 

If you are going to put up the option of updated sprites, there should be a version where the original sprites are just re-shaded and modified to match DC standards. And you need permission for that. So, maybe PM the original spriters for permission.

- SO, if you are going to mimic the Silver Update thread, you should try to get sprites ranging from: Reshaded Originals to Full blown new sprites with new dimorphic poses.

 

Edit: Wording edit and adding things.

Edited by Shokomon

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Ehh, I'm not big on sprite updates, but if they have to happen I think dorsals, stones, and dark greens should be higher priority than vamps.

I think Stones and Vines/Dark Greens (could use better shading, now that there's no strict limit on colors) need an update about as badly as Vamps. Same goes for Guardians (their anatomy looks a lot like that of the old Gold sprite). Dorsals (is there any shading at all?), Seasonals and Balloons (both look as cartoony as dinos) are much more necessary IMHO.

 

I'd also like to see a slight update on Magis (hind leg and wing finger anatomy, chest), Ultraviolets (the wings look totally off) and Two-Headed Lindwyrms (front leg anatomy between males and females is vastly different)

 

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Am I the only one who thinks this sprite look way older than the current vampires? Like, I see the sprites can be done better, but if you use the age as an excuse... if translating to human years I'd estimate the female at 25 ~ 50 and the male only 20 ~ 40... That male sprite you made - altho it does look great - looks like it's 80 ~ 100+. It has pale skin that looks very thin, even showing the ribs, very thin legs and it's body looks like it doesn't have any force in it at all and is constantly being carried by the wings - the only parts that look like they could do something at all. That being said, the first vampire to ever appear in a movie looked like a true abomination, the young-looking vampires from nowadays exist only because they appeal to a bigger audience, for the most part. So those vamps having a bit of an old look to them doesn't really matter that much.

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Golly wow lots to read x_x

 

Concerning which dragon most badly need updates:

I agree with all those mentioned, so if you want to see something in particular updated, make a thread! From the looks of it a lot of people have ideas for sprites that could use a little love! biggrin.gif That being said, I'm not suggesting Vamps are more important or more in need of an update, so please keep discussion related to your opinion on this particular species. :U (sorry if that came out as rather rude, I just don't want this turning into an "Update ALL THE THINGS!" mess) xd.png

 

Concerning Sprite Originality:

I'll PM the artists and keep this thread up to date with their response, so people can submit reshaded sprites if the artists are OK with it. Otherwise as TJ said if you want to make your own sprites from scratch, go for it!

 

(Skwerl get back here your art is glorious)

 

@Felixr2: I'm not really sure what you mean? But I could definitely see someone going for the whole "youthful beauty" aspect of vampires in their take on the sprites. In my particular take on them I decided to go with "spoopy fangbeast." xd.png

 

(I hope I responded to everything! Phone is kinda wonky o_O)

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I suspect that Felix got confused by the phrase "showing their age", taking it literally as a description of the appearance of the age of the dragon instead of a description of the quality of the sprite.

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yesssssss so beautiful need now pls *grabbyhands*

 

The only thing I would comment critically on would be the connection between the neck/body. It seems a little... disconnected/uncomfortable to me (which may have to do with the way he's holding his torso up like that?). What'd you use as reference/inspiration there?

Edited by SockPuppet Strangler

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Ahhh yes I love the wings!!

I think the far front leg would be better if it was placed more forward, like the original sprite. It looks like it's a bit close to toppling over. xd.png

And can it have darker colours closer to the original? It looks too pale right now.

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ehhh... I am really tired of sprites getting updated, specially since not all turned out for the best. I'd rather we focused more on bringing newer dragons in the game than go about poking what's already settled in and loved by users. All these forced updates are really killing the game for me.

 

As for the sprite itself in first post:

Do I love the sprite? : YESSS, AWESOME. Maybe as a new vampire type? I could totally imagine dragons like pyralspites having this kind of vampire sprite.

Will I love it if it replaces my existing vampires? Most likely not if this means the existing vampire sprites will be completely removed from cave. I am fine with adding sub types but not with total replacement.

Edited by Amaterasu-sama

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ehhh... I am really tired of sprites getting updated, specially since not all turned out for the best. I'd rather we focused more on bringing newer dragons in the game than go about poking what's already settled in and loved by users. All these forced updates are really killing the game for me.

 

As for the sprite itself in first post:

Do I love the sprite? : YESSS, AWESOME. Maybe as a new vampire type? I could totally imagine dragons like pyralspites having this kind of vampire sprite.

Will I love it if it replaces my existing vampires? Most likely not if this means the existing vampire sprites will be completely removed from cave. I am fine with adding sub types but not with total replacement.

I actually think that most of the updates have turned out for the best. A lot of older sprites just don't hold up to the standard set by new sprites (and for a variety of reasons). I understand that some people won't like when a sprite is changed completely from the original, but still, some dragons could do with updated anatomy and shading. Personally I wouldn't mind if sprites were replaced completely like with spatio's, but I get where you're coming from. :<

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Here we go again. I'm sorry, but I am one of those who really hates to see old sprites replaced. I am learning that one should not bother getting attached to any of the dragons here, because sooner or later someone is going to think they look "dated" and need to be changed. *sigh*

 

With that said, Vampires would not bother me so much, since at least I have not spent time building any lineages based on their current appearance. But many of the other breeds that are being mentioned here are a different story.

 

I will say that for the most part I like this new sprite. But the colors are not as vibrant as in the old one. IMO they need to be darker. And looking at it makes my neck hurt -- almost as much as looking at the Albino!! As Sock says, there is something awkward and uncomfortable-looking about it. It almost looks to me like a horse with a bit in its mouth pulling its head backward.

Edited by purplehaze

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Here we go again. I'm sorry, but I am one of those who really hates to see old sprites replaced. I am learning that one should not bother getting attached to any of the dragons here, because sooner or later someone is going to think they look "dated" and need to be changed. *sigh*

I feel the same way.

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Well, the current vampire sprites do have issues. The wings, for one, which have an awful anatomy. (How is it that the wing finger of the near wing ends up behind the bone sticking out from the elbow?) Also the legs - the near front leg lacks a discernible wrist while the wrist on the far front leg looks broken somehow. Yet, it either has no elbow or the wrong upper arm : lower arm ratio when compared to the near front leg. At the same time, the near back leg appears to have two heels.

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I suspect that Felix got confused by the phrase "showing their age", taking it literally as a description of the appearance of the age of the dragon instead of a description of the quality of the sprite.

This exactly. Thanks for the explanation! And well, I think it would make more sense for a vampire to look like the sprite in the OP, instead of the current cave sprite.

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Not mentioining that they'll clash with the expansion sprites. They would look so different that it would likely be better to change vampire sprites to match up wirh the rest.

Edited by Dusky_Flareon

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Not mentioining that they'll clash with the expansion sprites. They would look so different that it would likely be better to change vampire sprites to match up wirh the rest.

What are these expansion sprites you're referring to?

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The sorites in the Vampire Dragon Expansion Project Dragon Request. Which are currently being made to match each other, but when they're done...

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If you want to participate in the Vampire Expansion Project you're welcome to dragonwinxzodiac. As Shokomon said the thread still needs a sketcher/spriter for some of the variants. I would like to see a vampire sprite update, since if the vampire sub-types make it into the cave it would be nice to have the original vampire sprites match the sub-type sprites.

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