Demo & Missing Art

[wyverngem]

So, I'm a bit frustrated at the moment with my game. It's nearly done on my end, though the background artist I had planned has gone silent. I'm not mad. I realize that it's a non-paid project and we both have lives. Though, I'm a little frustrated. Do you all think it's acceptable to show off a demo when the graphics aren't all there? I mean everything is done, it's just the backgrounds that are either missing or only temporary.

[Cadenza]

I don't think you should release a demo with some background images completely missing. I know plenty of well-received demos that use placeholder backgrounds. My advice would be to perhaps use photo-manipulated stock images, like applying a filter to them or something that makes them look more like art than photograph.

[Nuxill]

Yeah, it would be good to have some kind of image to signify that there's something that's going to be there in the future. Cadenza's suggestion of stock photos is good. Heck, I personally wouldn't even mind 'dummy art' or quick sketches because it signifies that something better will be coming, where with stock art someone might believe that's going to be the final image (unless you make it distinct enough to say 'this is not final').

[fleet]

I concur with the others; release with placeholder artwork.

[Kokoro Hane]

Personally, I don't mind if a demo has a few missing assets, just state that it's more of a progression demo, aka WIP demo, and not a complete demo. Although it probably is a good idea to at least stick some place-holder images in its place, since it could bother some.

[fcosby]

Personally, I don't mind if a demo has a few missing assets, just state that it's more of a progression demo, aka WIP demo, and not a complete demo. Although it probably is a good idea to at least stick some place-holder images in its place, since it could bother some.

Having a few missing assets is not a big issue there as long as the demo is working.

_____________
"When attacking enemies unexpectedly use hidden weapon."

[wyverngem]

I'm not comfortable with releasing a demo with the backgrounds missing. I mean even if the game flows well and there are small none-crashing errors in the demo. It just feels odd releasing it with just blank backgrounds(checker board) look...

[Coren]

I'm not comfortable with releasing a demo with the backgrounds missing. I mean even if the game flows well and there are small none-crashing errors in the demo. It just feels odd releasing it with just blank backgrounds(checker board) look...

Exactly. So use placeholders.

[Tempus]

How many backgrounds are missing?

Also, you don't need to have the checker board pattern there -- even if you don't find place holders, you can still use a solid colour as a background. Black is already defined in Ren'Py, but others aren't as I recall. So, "scene black" in your script where there's a missing background should work fine (I think!); it's better than the ugly checker board, IMO.