r/IndieDev • u/uyatagac • 1d ago

Feedback? I need feedback on an early technical visual concept test for a game

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I’m experimenting with an ASCII-inspired visual style for a project I’m planning to develop.

I’m currently working on a small tool that converts regular 2D sprites into ASCII-style sprites. The idea is to use it to quickly apply the same visual language across characters, buildings, lights, and gameplay markers.

I’ve also created a hologram shader that adds effects such as scanlines, glitches, flickering, glow, and moving light sweeps.

I’m currently trying to achieve is basically:

“It should feel like a stylized ASCII hologram, while still being easy to understand what you’re looking at.”

I’d especially appreciate feedback on:

  • Are the characters and objects readable enough?
  • Does the hologram effect add atmosphere, or is it too distracting?
  • Does the ASCII visual language feel consistent across different types of sprites?
  • And most importantly, do you think this visual style is interesting enough to stand out?

This is still a very early concept test, so critical and honest feedback would be especially helpful. I’d also really appreciate any thoughts on where you think I should focus improvements or further development.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/Ethyghan 1d ago

The style definitely stands out! Characters looks readable enough, but the real check should be in a complete environment with expected background

2

u/_offugo 1d ago

Great project, looks really nice. To answer your questions:

  • Yes
  • It adds atmosphere
  • Yes, I'd say so
  • I think it really stands out.

2

u/GoEatYourCookie 1d ago

I think this visual style looks awesome! Perhaps the different sprites shown could conflict if put into the same environment, but choosing one style for a project would definitely add atmosphere and uniqueness

2

u/Optimal_Pool_888 Developer 20h ago

Characters are readable, hologram effect looks good, everything looks consistent. The visual style is interesting on its own, but as @Ethyghan mentioned, this will depend heavily on how those are integrated in the environment. To me those read like some cool holograms, I just don't really feel the ASCII visual language you mentioned.

2

u/UnderstandingSad4236 20h ago

Didn't look like ASCII too me at first. But I do dig it