Hi! I've been here for a while, but things really took off last few days Time for my #introduction.

I'm Ellen, 35 years, and i spend most of my available time either making NES displayable graphics, music & games, or the tools to make them in, or socializing in communities dedicated to the same things.

One game that's out is called Project Blue. It's a neat flick-screen platformer. Two more are actively in development.

#PixelArt #NES #NESdev #8bit #IndieDev #RetroGaming

@FrankenGraphics Project Blue was great and an easy to recommend!
Your two other games are top on my list for most anticipated releases 🤩
@deadeye That's all i need to hear to fuel me for a long while, thanks <3

@FrankenGraphics this is really cool. I'm not very good at graphics, but I taught myself basic NES assembly a few years ago.

https://github.com/cyborgx37/nesnake

I haven't done much with it since, but I had no idea there was still an active community building NES games!

GitHub - cyborgx37/nesnake: An NES version of the classic snake game

An NES version of the classic snake game. Contribute to cyborgx37/nesnake development by creating an account on GitHub.

GitHub

@cyx37 Hi there! I seem to remember this snake game. Did you perhaps post it on the NESdev forums?

As for the community, i'd say it's booming. But it might be easy to miss since it's split across several discords and sites, haha

@FrankenGraphics I don't recall, but it's possible.

I'm feeling inspired to return to it, now. There are a couple bugs I'd like to fix (apples rendering off screen or on top of the snake) and some features, like a main menu, that I never got around to.

@FrankenGraphics also, your artwork is mind blowing. Having worked with the limitations of NES graphics, I can't fathom how much work it took to make such organic imagery.

So much "8-bit" art is just highly pixelated with a modern, unrestricted color palette. It still looks cool, but it's not truly 8-bit art.

Bravo!

@cyx37 Yeah, often '8bit' is just a handwaving referral to a preferred memory of a certain low-resolution style. That's fine too, but i'm personally more interested in exploring the corners of the actual graphics processors of the day. Right now mostly the NES PPU, but my eyes are also on the TMS9918 (ColecoVision, MSX, and many more systems).
@cyx37 Also, thank you so much. <3
@FrankenGraphics That is really nice work indeed!
@FrankenGraphics Interesting. Do you dabble in 3D design as well?
@localjoost Not since high school i'm afraid haha. Would *love* to get into it again some day, but got my plate full for the time being :)
@FrankenGraphics I see. Well good you have your plate full. I am a HoloLens developer, so working with 3D graphics. People working in the same field - or even adjacent fields are rare enough on Birdsite, let alone here
@localjoost
Have you tried the XR Web API on the new hololens? Did a few tests on the Quest 2 but was wondering how good it would look/feel on a AR headset like the Hololens.
@thoeby I have. I've built this native HoloLens app HoloATC and I made an experimental A-Frame version. It works on basically everything ;) https://holoatcbf3a.z6.web.core.windows.net/
HoloATC WebXR

@thoeby Are you a Mixed Reality developer as well?

@localjoost Cool. Yeah, I mean I try to experiment a bit. I think this will be big in a few years so I want to be at least somewhat capable of knowing whats going on.

How did you get into AR? Work full time in the field?

@thoeby I am a Microsoft MVP, was invited over to the campus, and got half an hour of quality with the HoloLens 1 on November 4, 2015. I decided to pivot my career on the spot. Made some apps myself, did some project for a consultancy firm - small projects. Full time in MR since July 2020
@FrankenGraphics i'd be already in awe with your style even if it wasn't displayable on NES, and THAT elevates your art into a whole 'nother level!
@borb 🌷thank you so much for that.
@FrankenGraphics Sprite editor looks interesting. Did you made it yourself? Is it available somewhere?

@thoeby yes and no; NEXXT is my continuation fork of NESST (which has been essential to me but ceased development 2 years ago). So it’s about a year and a half of work on top of Shiru’s previous work.

You can find a link on my profile. It’s free-or-voluntary-donation, open source, public domain.

@FrankenGraphics ohhh... i also like retro but a little more gameboyish style ;p
@FrankenGraphics Holy crap these look good! It's amazing what you can get out of such limited palettes. Awesome stuff.
@FrankenGraphics Hi Ellen. I love NES graphics and your work is no exception. Looking forward to your up coming projects!
@FrankenGraphics Hi, welcome to Mastodon :D
Looks great!! Good job doing it!!
@FrankenGraphics this is gorgeous, can't recognize the NES!
@FrankenGraphics You've been one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to environment design in my personal projects your work is so beyond remarkable!
@artofjames thank you so much, james! and sorry for the late reply, i've been taking a mastodon siesta.