Pixel Art Animation. Reinvented - Astortion Devlog

In this indie game devlog™, we're taking a look at a simple feature that allows us to easily change the appearance of our characters - without the need to recreate every animation.

=== Wishlist Astortion on Steam ===

=== Support the channel ===
Patreon:
YouTube Memberships:

=== Tools I'm using ===
JetBrains Rider
Unity
Adobe Audition, Photoshop
Motion Canvas
Davinci Resolve

=== Music from Epidemic Sound ===
Trevor Kowalski - The Garden's Light:
Trevor Kowalski - Late Nights in Harmony:

#MadeWithMotionCanvas

[aarthificial]

*A more in-depth explanation with source code:*

*FAQ*
1) Isn't this just color palettes?
Yes, color palettes, color indexing, LUTs, etc. As I've mentioned in the video - the idea of looking up colors is nothing new. This video focuses on using this idea to replicate the process of UV mapping used in 3D modeling.

2) Will it work for more complex sprites?
IMO, this process is practical only for smaller canvases. In my case (24x24px), it takes me roughly 30 minutes to overlay the colors for one animation. You can, however, experiment with using it only for the parts of your character that need this level of control (for instance, the face) and reuse colors for the rest of the body - like in more classical palettes.

3) What about lighting/depth?
I'm planning another video on this topic but notice that we have the entire blue channel to encode all sorts of lighting information.

4) Can I use this to change the shape of my character?
Yes, you can use the alpha value from the lookup texture to hide specific parts for your character. But this may cause problems in places where things overlap. I'd stick with using multiple sprites stacked on top of each other that can be enabled/disabled.

[darkhawk]

As a programmer myself: The "technically complex sequence of workarounds to achieve a tiny outcome nobody is likely to ever notice" are some of the things I'm often most proud of.

[luke.rayman]

I'm just amazed by the animated girl. Just a few pixels but you clearly see everything. And she walks so naturally in just a few frames. So nice!

[RugbugRedfern]

It still impresses me how you bring so many genius innovations into your game dev. You're an inspiration as always! Can't wait to see the dynamic mud textures and the like in action.

[TheBlackBrickStudios]

This is an absolutely insane game changer for streamlining asset generation. I can't begin to express how valuable of a tool this will be in my own work. You, sir, are a legend.

[zio]

This is stunning... I am just amazed how good can a simple devlog be. Great work!

[Nimphious]

This conceptual combination of LUT and unwrapped model texturing for 2D art is one of those things that is so simple and obvious in hindsight but coming up with it in the first place is a stroke of genius.

The only piece of the puzzle that's left really is to come up with some kind of animation authoring tool or workflow improvement, but I can't think of anything significantly better than your map texture solution.

Thanks for yet another great video Jacob. I'm definitely going to use this myself.

[dealloc]

Reminds me a bit of color cycling mainly used in early computer games, where a palette is shifted to produce the impression of animation for a single image to use less memory and processor power than having individual animation frames.

This feels like a modern take on it, using a similar approach for a different purpose. Dig it!

[aarthificial]

Sorry for the long break, everyone
I had to work on my thesis and stuff. But I've finally graduated, so now we're back to regular devlogging!

[frqstbite]

years and years of developer + pixel artist experience under my belt and im still finding seriously innovative and high quality content like this that changes my whole perspective
stay on the grind !! love seeing it all come together

[AbsolutelyPlasmadic]

You have single handedly inspired a huge wave of pixel art from my end. I appreciate all the work you have poured into this. The dedication, the passion, the fire inside to create unabated. Its all so obvious in your creation, the care that goes into it. It has *ALL* inspired me. Down to the last drop of determination to assure every ounce of precision in your image is astoundingly crisp and appealing. I absolutely adore it.
Here's to the hours I have and will spend, hoping to accomplish that same task you have!
Here's to the thousands of souls you have touched, to them I wish the same fire will burn inside you all!
And finally: Here's to you Aarthificial, for being you. Because nobody else could do that. :)

[rhedgeco]

Just wow. I've been following you for a while, and don't comment often on anything. But I am constantly astounded at these little breakthroughs by taking some common idea and using it in a novel way. Really well done. Keep it up.

[jaysonbunnell]

I'm a Computer Engineering major, and although I'm super excited to play your game, the most exciting part for me of your devlogs are the tools you used ot create it. I love designing (and implementing!!) utilities, and seeing such fun innovation is really inspiring for me. Keep doing what you're doing! Glad you've finished up your thesis, and can get back to the regular logs. Peace and love from over here!

[FeroxOccisor]

This man is just casually making entire revolutions in game development and rendering. Excellent work as usual, dude.
<3

[KennedyLouis]

Devlog 1: Ripping off every valve game in name of boredom
"I want to make a small game I can finish"

Present day: reinvents pixel art animation, solves olds problems in retro and modern pixel art, has dynamic dialogue systems with implicit choices.

Dude, you went from 0 to a 100, from "I want to make a game" to being the one who inspires people to make theirs and teach them, I can't think of any better achievement. Of all the devlogs in YouTube, yours are my favorite and the most inspiring. Mad respect to you.

[joukeseinstra]

As a 2D artist seeing a rotation of a portrait in pixel-art is beyond impressive. To reduce a concept to such simple terms without sacrificing communication. It appears becaus of that, pixel art itself can be a tool to understand simplification on an educational level. Having put this into perspective along traditional interpretations of realism, pixel art is without question an important art movement of our time I find. To say so much with so little with such concise clarity is truly awe-inspiring.

[casualdutchman]

This is just a refreshing take on pixel art. It probably isn't something new and other games use it as well but this is the first time I see it. Very nicely done! I am jealous!

[nithishwarai]

Animation was always traditional for me, even though I knew oops and use them to code regularly, using these concepts in animation you have opened me to a new world >_<

[Otakutaru]

Even if Astortion doesn't get to release as a game, It will undoubtly be one of the best documented game design demos

[psy]

That was really interesting to watch, thanks so much for sharing!