SpriteDX - Playground Background

In this post, we will look into how to design playground’s default background.

Let’s some expectations.

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What is Playground?

Playground is a place where people can play with the character they just created. There are several moves users can do like “run“, “sprint”, “jump” in 2D platformer environemnt.

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2D Side Scrolling vs 2.5D?

Pixel Art games have always been hard to make but at the same time very rewarding to make. Good character sprites really define what the world is.

• Ragnarok Online (2.5D = 2D Characters + 3D background)

• Maple Story Online (2D Side Scrolling)

• Dungeon and Fighters (2D Side Scrolling)

The plan has always been that project “Machi” will be 2D side scrolling. However, let’s figure out wether this should be the case for Playground.

Let’s imagine two universes.

Universe 1: SpriteDX is 2.5D

2.5D is more generic than 2D side scrolling. So, it allows for SpriteDX to evolve to become a generic tool that can support 2D side scrolling but also generic enough to support 2.5D formats (2D characters in 3D environment). However, this also means we will lose focus.

For example, we will have to support characters moving not just in left and right directions but also North-West-South-East directions. It could be that we will have to support full 8 directions to include diagonal movements.

This will be difficult at this stage.

Universe 2: SpriteDX only support 2D Side Scrolling Platformer

This will allow setting the expectation that this tool is primarily for generating 2D side platformer. However, this will be very restrictive if pipeline creators were to build pipelines that target 2.5D.

In that sense, supporting 2.5D Playgrounds perhaps provide more inclusive world.

One other way is to support 2.5D but by default Lock it such that it behaves like a 2D platformer.

We build non character background in 3D and have the engine lock up the Z axis such that the world is more or less 2D.

Verdict

• While I feel really attracted to 2.5D option. I think the first iteration will have to be 2D side scrolling. Supporting 4 or 8 directional character will take some time given the technology we currently have.

• That said, 2.5D allows for much more expressive power.

• Can’t fully decide. I will support 2.5D but make it heavily restrictive and make it really only behave like 2D.

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How does it look like right now?

It looks pretty bland to say the least. It is just a character on asphalt ground. The character can move around about the canvas. It can jump and speed up but that’s about it.

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Wishlist

1. I want to environment to mimic the purpose of “My Room” which can be shared to other people.

2. It allows users to generate props and fill their space with what they want.

3. I want to be able to control the character.

4. I want to be able to let others come in and chat.

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What It Should Be

1. It should be a testbed for character animations. To visualize the generation in simulated manner.

2. Users should be able to juxtapose things that they generated to see things in composition.

3. It should be a pre-cursor to Machi, which will likely be online-social world with AI agents.

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Links to Concept Arts

https://blog.sprited.app/machi-concept-arts

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Concept Options

I think a Dark Stage should be the default mode. This limits people’s focus on the backgrounds and allows users to fully focus on the character.

Then we can provide a link in the stage that will lead them to outside of the stage which beautiful sky background with bland studio walls. This will give them a area where they can test against white background.

The plan is to also support mini-games that users can play against AIs.

So, idea is that we:

1. Support Dark Stage

2. Support Outside Sound Stage

3. 2.5D Mini-games

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Timeline

• Dec 16: Dark Stage

• Dec 17: Outdoor Stage

• Dec 18: One Mini-game

— Sprited Dev 🌱