Item Databases

[BrowserGamesFactory]

We (BGF) are currently in the process of creating item databases, your input is welcome in what categories you would be interested in.

Item databases would contain royalty free images enhanced for Browser Game usage with transparant background (PNG format). DB formats included would be mccode ready made mysql, mysql, csv, xml containing the valuable content as item name, item description, etc.

Other data formats will also be made available, eg low poly 3ds , trading card format (layered PSD), etc

Why are item databases important for your game. The success of Zynga and other companies in the social gaming market show us that the majority of players collect virtual items. Weekly updates are simple for the game company as they mainly introduce new items to collect.

[Dave]

We (BGF) are currently in the process of creating item databases, your input is welcome in what categories you would be interested in.

Item databases would contain royalty free images enhanced for Browser Game usage with transparant background (PNG format). DB formats included would be mccode ready made mysql, mysql, csv, xml containing the valuable content as item name, item description, etc.

Other data formats will also be made available, eg low poly 3ds , trading card format (layered PSD), etc

Why are item databases important for your game. The success of Zynga and other companies in the social gaming market show us that the majority of players collect virtual items. Weekly updates are simple for the game company as they mainly introduce new items to collect.

I can see one major flaw in this idea? The fact that its going to make the "Mccode" style of gaming even more generic from site to site if each game is obtaining a item list from someone such as yourself? Unless you were to offer all lists were unique or something similar?

I also don't think many people would purchase a list.. Obviously depending on pricing but it doesn't take that long to make an item list of say 100 items and then you would know those 100 items were set towards your game genre, style and most importantly economy.

[BrowserGamesFactory]

The item Databases will ease the work of individual game developers to have some ready made content. As mccode is mainly geared to a market segment of people trying to build a game with a already 'out of the box' game script.... (fill in the rest)

Now a flaw from your side is that you don't value content as a important factor. Game companies employ content and theme writers , similar items do exist in games but usage could be different.

Examples:

Game A:

Item Scout Ship: Used as a collection item

Game B:

Item Scout Ship: Used as a NPC

Game C:

Item Scout Ship: Used as equipable item, containing character stats

Game D:

Item Scout Ship: Usable item, eg to spy

The databases will have pre formatted content yet it doesn't say that the owner has to use it in the way it is pre formatted as you can see with above examples.

[Kieran-R]

Could you give a price for each 100x100 sized basic item image?

Im looking for something similar to this

[BrowserGamesFactory]

Private Message sent with example image and info.

[ColdBlooded]

I also don't think many people would purchase a list.. Obviously depending on pricing but it doesn't take that long to make an item list of say 100 items and then you would know those 100 items were set towards your game genre, style and most importantly economy.

You would be surprised how many times mccodes has been asked too make a item database, which people are willing too pay quite large funds for.

[Djkanna]

It's an interesting idea, and I can assume like Coldblooded said people would be willing to purchase these lists at quite a decent price.

However I do agree with Dave this would make games more and more generic with very little uniqueness, unless things get edited first rather than used straight out of the box.

Good luck BGF.

[VitalEnd]

I'd like to see some examples of your work and some prices, i would be interested in a full weapons set and set of achivement cards (random picture cards for achieving stuff in the game).

[BrowserGamesFactory]

As we are still in the progress of building the image databases a portfolio isn't available online yet.

Our goal was selling in bulk but numerous private messages asked if individual image purchases would be possible.

Single item purchases would drive the price tag up, so we are looking now to write a script where buyer buys x credits and selects the images he/she wants. In a weird way it will still be a bulk purchase as minimum purchase will be for 100 items. However each image will then have a individual mysql, csv, xml file instead of 1 for all.

A customers only forum will also be available that will show/give ways to maximize the usage of the item(s) purchase.

@VitalEnd

Quality is low polygon 3D exported to a 2D format enhanced for browser game usage (PNG/transparant BG). Future wise databases of 3ds/obj files will also be made available but our goal is currently the PHP browser games market. Take into consideration that each 3ds is aprox 3-5Mb in size even with 3 people exporting and fixing up some parts as writing the content for it, it does take time to build the databases.

Achievement card type images will most likely not be there, however as all images will have a transparant background it shouldn't be difficult to ad it in a frame (we do have custom trading card frames available, example of a browsergame with trading cards is warstorm from challenge games which is recently bought by Zynga)

[SilvaTungDevil]

Sounds a very good idea, but you are at great risk as Dave Macaulay said about making them all generic, what you could do upon making this set of weapons is offer a variety of backgrounds suited for each genre or let the customer choose upon order.

Just a thought

[BrowserGamesFactory]

Hence each image has a transparent background , and upon request a wire frame or re colored version will also be possible. However not instantly and as that will be custom support the price tag will rise.

However at our customers community forum it will be described how to alter images with free tools eg GIMP, Paint2 etc

The generic part will be in the added value of content, image description, short/long, etc it will be up to the game owner to use his own imagination and I'm pretty sure that the content will simply be used as a prime reference and will be altered by the game owner.

Do understand that these are exports from low polygon 3d objects, so we don't produce frames for them except frames for trading cards at this point. A frame for a item image should be according the game theme and is custom work imo. Most still use tables to place a image also, so a simple TD background can solve your question kinda.

[Jordan Palmer]

I have seen examples off the low quality image's and I have too say, they're pretty amazing. I would love too see this publicly released.

 

I will be purchasing this service. And recommend to friends

[BrowserGamesFactory]

Low polygon doesn't equal to low quality Jordan. However objects with loads of polygons often export bad to 2D as there is simply to much detail. As weird as it sounds, low polygon is better to 2D than high polygon objects exports to 2D.

[Jordan Palmer]

Ahhh, Sorry forgot the word so used quality so it made kinda sense lol

[BrowserGamesFactory]

Thanks to the MWG members input, we will put focus on the weapons and cars item databases to have those released first. And by request the buildings one also.

[BrowserGamesFactory]

By request,

A MWG member asked for a example within a frame with some content.

So we placed a exported low polygon object to a transparent PNG placed on a background with example game settings.

Background is a Hi-Res JPG from psdgraphics.com

Font used Impact condensed

[medz]

How long does it take to make 100 weapon item?And the price?

The flight item is pretty good,but want see more style of item and game art.

[BrowserGamesFactory]

After a deliberating process we will provide the following options and changes at our site for Royalty Free Browser Games Images.

Free membership:

Access to the community boards (minimum 1 purchase required).

Individual Item purchases at minimum $3/item

1 Ticket for the monthly drawing for a yearly FREE membership.

Monthly subscription:

Access to the community boards.

10 FREE Downloads (minimum $30 value)

5 tickets for the monthly drawing for a yearly FREE membership

Price $25/month

Yearly subscription:

Access to the community boards.

150 FREE Downloads (mininum $450 value)

75 tickets for the monthly drawing for a yearly FREE membership or a extra 150 FREE downloads.

Price $195/year

Artists Membership:

Artists after approval and reviewing their portfolio will be able to upload their own work for a commission on sales.

Downloads:

Each item will be provided in a ZIP format, which will include a description file, transparant PNG and a white BG JPG, size 1900x 962 minimum. (resize upon request possible or follow the mini tutorials at our boards)

Community Boards:

Our community boards will hold info and mini tutorials how to maximize the items bought as non conventional ideas for game development. A customer support section for custom work/changes will also be available.

[medz]

sounds interesting,but still want custom item,you always need unique game art for your game,right?

[BrowserGamesFactory]

Custom work will be possible but most likely not at a first instance, nor at a price tag of $3/image.

However the validity of generic content gets voided if there are 10,000 of item images available. So it might be that you will find what you need.

Next to that our community boards will give examples, mini tutorials, etc how to use a same item yet it will be different.

update: We started uploading the content to our soon to be launched virtual item image shop. A public announcement will be made once we have a few 1000 uploaded.

[Dave]

After seeing some of the replies I can see there is a good amount of interest in this... With the artist side of it I may submit a few custom illustrated items when the system is up. Good luck

[BrowserGamesFactory]

I would like to attach this article

Interesting article that should be read imo

http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2010/11/12/art-quality-social-games/

[BrowserGamesFactory]

Hopefully we will be able to launch this weekend with aprox 500-600 ready to download virtual item images out of 10k.

Current progress:

186 Weapons

30 Buildings

19 Tools

Jordan of MWG will then also post a discount coupon code exclusive for MWG users.

MCC licensed users might get a extra coupon code (depending on ColdBlooded willing to spam you)

[Lilith]

I believe that this would be a great opportunity for both amateur game builders and amateur artists. With enough graphics, packs could be purchased in a variety of themes, individual images, and many other ways. It would be a cost effective way to purchase a large quantity of images and share the art costs with other developers.