This is NOT related to any game currently in the works, but since it's something that can happen, I am curious.

The question is simple: a game is 70-80% done. Or maybe, it's already all done and I want to add bonus art. A bit like what happened with Cursed Lands or Amber's Magic Shop.

However for ANY reason, the original artist is busy or can't finish the art before a LONG time (like, even 1-2 years)*. I always assumed that the best solution was to try finding a new replacement artist with similar style, or even different style if it's for romance CGs.

But maybe I am wrong? is more important that the art style is consistent?

For me there are no doubts that's the second solution is the best, but maybe I'm missing something?



* in the two mentioned games above, there was no other choice since that artist is gone permanently, I was just using them as example for a game with most art done by one person, and a few remaining art done by another person.

I answered 'other'. I prefer that the artwork be consistent, but am willing to accept slightly different art for CGs.

Other:

Things like characters art I think should really be done all by the same artist or it can look weird and very non professional (Unless you have artists that have so similar style that it is unnoticeable) but I think it is ok to have a different artist do CGs, Bonus Art and BGs, especially the latter two, while CGs I think should preferably be done by the same artists so I would say depends how much longer we are talking about.

For Cursed Lands and Amber I managed to find a rather similar artist, at least for females (Lynn's mother for example). It is noticeable but not too much, I guess depends how much people are nitpicking

Get a new artist, get more games done. Preferably not an artist who clashes completely with the original style (Spirited Hearts otome + yuri comes to mind, ugh...), but better to get things done.

Haha yes that game has the most different art styles! Yet not many people complained about it. At least that I know of. But personally I find it very jarring myself as well. In CL for example there are 3 artists actually, the original one, the one who did the customizable portraits (same artist of PSCD manga) and another one who did the bonus CGs. You CAN notice the difference, but it's not so much like in Spirited Heart otome/yuri for sure.

I've voted for waiting less and find a new artist, but I think that having different artists working on different things would be more productive than having one artist doing it all.

Having one artist doing all CGs, for example, while another do all the sprites, and another the backgrounds or the monsters, for example, can help giving a sense of continuity even if the styles are different.

Yes I was referring only to characters and CG. Backgrounds are almost always done by another artist since the skills involved are different. There are a few who can do well both characters and BG (Rebecca comes to mind) but it's not a good idea to do this

My choice was "Other"!



Like everyone else, I would be perfectly content with any replacement artist as long as their work is as good (or even better!) than the previous one. I mean, who wouldn't be happy? We get our games faster (with the same goodness), and it's logical not to waste time.



But, if the artist's work is of a much lower quality, then I'd rather wait as long as it's an acceptable time frame. Why get a worse product (which reduces value), when it's possible to get a better one? Characters and CGs are important, with romance CGs the most highly anticipated.



I know backgrounds are by and large done by different artists. It's the normal rules of the trade, and Jack doesn't have any (or much issues) with BGs in general.



There should be more options to choose in the poll! Although it seems most people have no issue with your choice of artist.

Yep more or less everyone is saying the same thing so that's good. Also reassures me about some choices we're doing for some unannounced games

Haha yes that game has the most different art styles! Yet not many people complained about it. At least that I know of. But personally I find it very jarring myself as well. In CL for example there are 3 artists actually, the original one, the one who did the customizable portraits (same artist of PSCD manga) and another one who did the bonus CGs. You CAN notice the difference, but it's not so much like in Spirited Heart otome/yuri for sure.

Well, I think most people played one genre or the other, otome version OR the yuri version. I only saw the yuri version so I did not even notice XD...



I am now kind of curious about who played both versions of the game and if they thought that the clash was bad?

I honestly didn't even notice the difference.





(Hopefully somewhat) related note, when will there be the male version of that, Jack?

(Hopefully somewhat) related note, when will there be the male version of that, Jack?

If I remember correctly, the protagonist is female correct? So how can you be asking for a male version? That would be an entirely different game! And Jack has clearly stated no "new games" for a few years while he clears out his backlog.

He was referring to the sequel I think! But I will first finish all the announced/work in progress game. For SH2 I don't even have the art finished, and when the time comes I'll need to think what to do, because having a male+female game, with ALL romance combos, and 6 romance characters... nope. I think at least I'll reduce the number of romances to 3 or 4 or make some bisex to avoid going nuts and making another 250k+ game again

I think it's fine to replace art for the minor characters, but major and reoccurring characters should have the same artist. Otherwise it just looks weird.

For SH2 I don't even have the art finished, and when the time comes I'll need to think what to do, because having a male+female game, with ALL romance combos, and 6 romance characters... nope. I think at least I'll reduce the number of romances to 3 or 4 or make some bisex to avoid going nuts and making another 250k+ game again

I think a good strategy would be to release each game for each kind, like if someone wants only the otome romances it would be one dlc, if someone wanted the yuri romances, would be another combo, and etc, and you could take the time with each of them. However, everyone knows that making some if not all characters bisex would get things way faster or to just not make the game as elaborated as it was supposed to be, because we all know the problems that could appear under such conditions.



For now, the best option would be to lay this game on the fridge and focus on the others that are better developed than it, at least until those games are all done and you can catch your breath.

Yes besides SH2 is not even in active development. I made a thread about the games I'm working on now. Everything else is on hiatus/paused.

After this year games will work on PS2, Loren 2 and Undead Lily. Then after those are done (probably in 3-4 years) we'll see. I might do some smaller games to catch breath but in any case I'll never announce again a game unless it's almost done.