Hello! I’ve been making some pixel art for the cover of my WIPs and I was wondering what the larger opinion is on this type of art style for an IF. I draw a bit, but I mainly create pixel art over other styles. I do it for fun and don’t really care about “getting gud” but I do want to know if this is good enough as a cover or if I should commission a different artist once a WIP is done
And because I saw some posts about this but they’re all from a year+ ago, what do you think about extra art in an IF? This is assuming, of course, that you find the art style appealing.
I like extra art in IFs, it helps me imagine what’s happening
I don’t like extra art in IFs, let me imagine things on my own
I didn’t catch that specific post (most of the “art in IF” conversations I saw were on reddit) but it’s interesting to compare with! I saw a lot of complaints in other posts due to some readers not liking the art itself, but I wondered how many people dislike extra images in IF regardless of whether they like the art, like they’re against it on a fundamental level. As a reader, I don’t need the extra images but they’re nice to have. As a creator though, I like having a purpose when drawing so I like adding them into my work once they’re done
For the last question, I don’t mind the extra art. It is nice but not necessary for my reading. But I also view any art (and character art) more as guidelines.
You’ll always have people who like and dislike your art, there’s no way to please them all.
But this being about choices, I came to the conclusion that you can add as much art as you want as long as you give the reader the option to hide the art in the game.
Personally, I added choices to my game to see no art (except banners and chapter titles), to see art without character portraits (some people prefer to imagine them themselves), and finally to see all the artwork.
This method was the most considerate in pleasing all the readers’ tastes.
This is the reason why I decided to make the poll, besides general curiosity. I have a hard time being able to tell the quality of my own art and need others’ opinions. I wanted to know if this was at a high enough level of quality that it wouldn’t turn potential readers away
Definitely a good idea. I use a section of the art for chapter titles (I like the added color) so I’d have to make alternative ones. Ideally, readers who like the art and readers who don’t can both enjoy the work itself irrespective of the art
I think some people see it as less “professional” than more traditional media (which IMO is silly because it takes just as much skill and dedication!), so you may run the risk of those particular people looking askance at your game if it’s your cover.
But there are big-budget and critically-lauded indie games that use pixel art for covers now, so perhaps that’s less of an issue than it used to be.
Also resembles a certain style in professional advertisements/graphical design, especially when it’s in a large resolution and the pixels are not too obvious, so it’s doubly silly.
(You could have told me that image was vector art and I would have believed you.)
I prefer the look of the pixel art more, it looks more evocative and stands out on the page more to me (same for the pixel vs commissioned character art from The Truthkeeper thread, I think).
Character art in general is hit and miss, but if someone likes the cover art (whatever it is), character art in the same style will likely go down well. Best to include an option to opt out for people who don’t enjoy it.
As someone who has judged a book by its cover before and decided to not buy something based on how unappealing the cover is, this is what I was a bit worried about. My earlier pixel art (which I was proud of at the time) would probably turn me away from an IF if I saw it now as a cover! You can never please everyone, but I do want it to be pleasing to most people
Honestly, I didn’t see it that way until now that you mentioned it. Huh. Maybe I am overly worried about it
I love the retro vibe of pixel art! It gives a unique, nostalgic feel to IF covers that many readers find charming. If it reflects your work and personality, keep it.
