Kiwi's Levels [Criticism Appreciated]

Kiwi27 · #1 05-13-2012, 01:11 AM

Hey there,
Lately I've been really wanting to apply for a staff position on a server. Which one exactly, I'm not sure. But I'm not really sure if I'm good enough yet for that, so I really want to get the best I can be before I apply for anything.

I'd like some criticism on a few levels, please. Say anything you think is wrong, or mucked up, just as long as it isn't hurtful to me personally. I'm all ears.

This first one is one I posted a while ago, asking about some grass I had in there. I read your criticisms in that thread, and tried to act on them, but I didn't really finish all of it because I felt like doing other things.
It uses the Atlantis tileset, which I did not make. But it is amazing. I like to use it because, unlike pics1, it doesn't blind me at night.

This second one uses the Delteria tileset, which I decided to play around with. I planned to add a few houses, or the edge of a town up the top, but, not being used to the tileset, I couldn't make it look right and added other various things. The bridge is a NPC I made from one of the Delteria screenshots.

Lastly, I decided to make a level with the Stroseria tileset, but this isn't finished yet. The little cliffs were from something that Skyzer showed me that I decided to try out. They didn't work out too well though, and they're kind of ugly

. This level isn't finished yet, but I do plan to finish it.

So, like I said, criticism is appreciated.

- Kiwi

xXziroXx · #2 05-13-2012, 01:23 AM

I personally find them all to be rather alright.

MattKan · #3 05-13-2012, 02:09 AM

It would be cool to see more of this on Graal... people just making levels for fun with different tilesets.

Tricxta · #4 05-13-2012, 03:23 AM

I like these levels, they feel correct

BlueMelon · #5 05-13-2012, 03:29 AM

Apart from the little errors (bottom right of last image) they look good

Crono · #6 05-13-2012, 06:20 PM

first one has a nice feel to it. if you got rid of these:

i think it would look much nicer and be more practical aswell.

Rave_J · #7 05-13-2012, 06:25 PM

i dont like the house it looks too nubbish no style really put into it
the last screen shot the cliffs could use little more work more wavey messy ect

but idk it's a personal option i guess plus i cant say this enough more detail grass tiles ect
i love detail levels

Kiwi27 · #8 05-14-2012, 04:10 AM

Quick question: I sent the Delteria level to another computer, along with the tileset, to edit, but when I tried to load the tileset it wouldn't work? I went into Paint.NET, and made sure it was saved as 8-bit.

NPC Code:

addtiledef deltlite_tileset.png,,0;

That's what I put in the NPC. It had always worked before

.

Help?

xXziroXx · #9 05-14-2012, 04:52 AM

Try adding removetiledefs; above the addtiledef. Be aware that it'll delete all of your previous addtiledefs though.

Kiwi27 · #10 05-14-2012, 04:55 AM

Okay, so, I did

NPC Code:

removetiledefs;

addtiledef deltlite_tileset.png,,0;

but it still won't work. Would the computer need to have physically logged into the server for it to work?

DustyPorViva · #11 05-14-2012, 05:05 AM

Level editors really need to learn how addtiledef ACTUALLY works. The second parameter is for the level prefix. It will apply the tiledef to any level that starts with the string you provide.

So:

addtiledef deltlite_tileset.png,kiwilevel_,0;

Will make any level that has a level name that begins with "kiwilevel_" have the delteria tileset.

Level makers using blank parameters needs to stop as on a server that would cause a lot of issues.

Kiwi27 · #12 05-14-2012, 05:20 AM

Yeah, well. I work offline, so I never bothered to learn that stuff.
But thanks for teaching

.

DustyPorViva · #13 05-14-2012, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi27

Yeah, well. I work offline, so I never bothered to learn that stuff.
But thanks for teaching

.

Should always learn regardless because bad habits die hard. Even if you only work offline eventually if you get into online development you'll have to spend more effort trying to get past those deeply-engraved bad practices :P

Kiwi27 · #14 05-14-2012, 07:11 AM

This is seriously bugging me.

That is what happens when I try to load it. Here is the code I've been using:

NPC Code:

removetiledefs;

addtiledef deltlite_tileset.png,kiwidelt_,1;

Help would be much appreciated.

xXziroXx · #15 05-14-2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi27

This is seriously bugging me.

That is what happens when I try to load it. Here is the code I've been using:

NPC Code:

removetiledefs;

addtiledef deltlite_tileset.png,kiwidelt_,1;

Help would be much appreciated.

Try closing down the editor, delete FILENAMESCACHE.txt and try again. If that doesn't work, you're either not having the tileset in your Graal folder, or it's not 8-bit.

Kiwi27 · #16 05-14-2012, 07:51 AM

thanks! It's working now :]
I'd rep you, but I've given out to much in the last 24 hours

. So please accept this thanks.

Thanks.

Rave_J · #17 05-15-2012, 06:35 AM

in the future graal level editor sort of hates loading .png files idk y
most of my tilesets i have to make a offline verison and make them into .gif file for them to load in graal editor wish stefan would fix this. would be helpful for .png files alot show up on graal editor and the tilesets

same with ganis i have to upload them on a blank level online then c them
then put them in the gani editor.. i try everything same folders ect

Kiwi27 · #18 05-17-2012, 10:46 AM

Okay, so I decided to make a small (4x4) Delteria gMap. And that I have.

Currently I have the outline of the area, and the level I've already done is part of it. I have removed all the NPCs for now to make it easier. I'm posting it here because it's easier to make changes now than it will be in the future, and your eye is a lot better than mine for errors

.

The individual level links are:
hither
hither
hither
and hither

My plans for the levels are:
Bottom left will be a forest, with a path leading out of a cave, through the forest, and to that little look out. In the top left platform like area, I plan to have a small village, and, on the raised area, the Mayors house. In the top right, I'm unsure exactly what I want, but would like to have a lake and waterfall somewhere.

Things I am aware of:
Some of the cliffs are too straight.
The beach has far too many shells.

Again, comments, questions, and suggestions are much appreciated.

Fulg0reSama · #19 05-17-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rave_J

in the future graal level editor sort of hates loading .png files idk y
most of my tilesets i have to make a offline verison and make them into .gif file for them to load in graal editor wish stefan would fix this. would be helpful for .png files alot show up on graal editor and the tilesets

same with ganis i have to upload them on a blank level online then c them
then put them in the gani editor.. i try everything same folders ect

Well with ganis its probable that the image saved may not have been indexed without truecolors (24 bit and up colors), which can be done if you save your images in a program such as GIMP or photoshop if you have it.

Crow · #20 05-17-2012, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rave_J

in the future graal level editor sort of hates loading .png files idk y
most of my tilesets i have to make a offline verison and make them into .gif file for them to load in graal editor wish stefan would fix this. would be helpful for .png files alot show up on graal editor and the tilesets

same with ganis i have to upload them on a blank level online then c them
then put them in the gani editor.. i try everything same folders ect

That's most likely because PNG files need to be 8-bit to work in the editor. GIF files are automatically saved with that restriction since the format doesn't allow anything else.

Tricxta · #21 05-17-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi27

...

Things I am aware of:
Some of the cliffs are too straight.
The beach has far too many shells.

Again, comments, questions, and suggestions are much appreciated.

It's not a case of your cliffs being too straight, it's more a case of them being to repetitious(yes, there's a difference).

Kiwi27 · #22 05-17-2012, 10:16 PM

I think I understand what you mean, but could you give an example of more random cliffing?

Imperialistic · #23 05-18-2012, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi27

I think I understand what you mean, but could you give an example of more random cliffing?

~ see attached

Kiwi27 · #24 05-18-2012, 07:52 AM

ah, okay. Thanks

Kiwi27 · #25 06-28-2012, 04:02 AM

After only just getting the tileset to work again, I think I'm nearly done. Next, I'll add bushes and go into grass detailing.

Thoughts?

haro41 · #26 06-28-2012, 05:25 AM

looks pretty good so far. Remember to keep playability in the forefront of your mind when creating these levels. Yes they look pretty, but a many places are detailed where players would never go, and you have some tough choke points that players would get caught on. Walk around on it while you build. Good luck.

Kiwi27 · #27 06-28-2012, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haro41

looks pretty good so far. Remember to keep playability in the forefront of your mind when creating these levels. Yes they look pretty, but a many places are detailed where players would never go, and you have some tough choke points that players would get caught on. Walk around on it while you build. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice :]. I tried walking around, but couldn't find any bits like you described. Anyway, I tried detailing it, but I really don't like the outcome at all. I'll post it anyway, but I'm redoing all detail bits in a different way.

It looks littered and ugly.

maximus_asinus · #28 06-28-2012, 05:55 AM

An example of Haro's advice would be the top corner cliffing, a player could jump down to the second level but not the third forcing them to retrace their steps for however long.

Another example is the areas that are only wide enough for a single player to pass through. Another player could easily come along and pin a player in one of these areas. That would be incredibly frustrating for a newbie don't you think?

Kiwi27 · #29 06-28-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximus_asinus

An example of Haro's advice would be the top corner cliffing, a player could jump down to the second level but not the third forcing them to retrace their steps for however long.

Another example is the areas that are only wide enough for a single player to pass through. Another player could easily come along and pin a player in one of these areas. That would be incredibly frustrating for a newbie don't you think?

I didn't think about the multiplayer aspect. You're right. I'll change that.

As for the second comment... I don't really understand it. You aren't meant to be able to jump down that bit -- there are three levels of cliffing on the bottom level of cliffing. Wait, that makes no sense. The third level of cliffing consists of three tiers. I hope you understand more. I understand the pinning bit, but could you please elaborate on the cliff bit?

maximus_asinus · #30 06-28-2012, 06:33 AM

I just noticed how your west/east cliffing changes height 3 times for no real reason. I assume that is a tile set limitation (not sure since I do not cliff in that fashion).

As for my cliffing comment, I can't really explain myself as I am on my phone and cannot create an illustration to demonstrate my point. Hopefully Haro returns and helps you out.

Kiwi27 · #31 06-28-2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximus_asinus

I just noticed how your west/east cliffing changes height 3 times for no real reason. I assume that is a tile set limitation (not sure since I do not cliff in that fashion).

That may be a mistake. When you are on a computer, could you make something to show me what I mean? I think I see it, but I'm not sure.