[Falk]

Okay, this has been bugging me for a while, and I find it extremely odd that no one else seems to take issue with it. It's one particular sprite from SCD which has been appropriated for another use in like... virtually every recent fangame. Over the past few months I've been increasingly driven mad with the niggling, then somewhat annoying, and now completely overbearing need to know if I'm completely alone in finding the sprite usage extremely jarring (in which case I'm an asshole making a lot of ado over nothing) or if it's bugged other people but not to the point that a thread had to be made about it. (in which case I'm simply an asshole)

The sprite I'm referring to is this:


The usage I'm referring to is Sonic descending from vertical springs. WHY is this sprite used then? It originally was in the timeout/idle->gameover animation. Let's look at some points here:
- Sonic looks pissed
- Sonic is looking right at the player
- It just looks awkward in general dimensions, hinting at a scrawnier Sonic with longer limbs.

I mean I can understand its original usage in what's not really a gameplay-affecting gimmick (I'MMA OUTTA HERE), but when a level has a bunch of springs and it shows up every 2 seconds or so it looks utterly retarded.

Firstly, there's absolutely no reason for Sonic to be looking towards the screen. None whatsoever.
Secondly, there's absolutely no reason for Sonic to look pissed. Combined with the point above it's like you made Sonic do some massive chore jumping on a spring and he's glaring at you out of annoyance. Over and over again.
Thirdly, if I'm falling at terminal velocity (oftentimes with quite a bit of horizontal momentum as well) I wouldn't look anywhere except the direction I'm headed. Even a simple sprite edit to move his pupils forward/down would make its forced usage so much less awkward.

It's like someone attempted to make Sonic more badass and ended up making him look derp.

[Caitlin]

I've theorized two reasons people use and abuse it.

1. Megamix.
2. It's "badass".

And no, you're not alone in your dislike of it.

[W.A.C.]

Caitlin, on 09 December 2011 - 03:53 AM, said:

1. Megamix.
2. It's "badass".

Pretty much this. Megamix did this, people thought it was cool, and decided to replicate it in their games. Plus it is one of the most badass sprites from the really old Sonic games.

[Andrew75]

I've always loved this sprite !

[Elektro-Omega]

To be fair. I love it too.

I'm in number 2 of what Caitlin said, I just think it looks badass and a little ninja-esque.

I agree that it is overused and I would love to see some sprite edits of it but in it's defense, it is a nice ending to a springing.

[Techokami]

I'm fine with it, as long as people take the effort to alter the eyes so that Sonic is looking where he is going, and not at the player.

[Squier Super Sonic]

It annoys me too. I think it's the whole "looking directly at the player" that makes it seem so out of place.

[DNLeal]

I really don't mind the sprite at all and I like it. I do also agree on how it's been used alot after falling from a spring in fan games and in megamix just because it looked cool.

However, I believe there was more of a use behind this sprite, at least when it comes to just being an "I'm outta here" pose. The eyes still look strange even if he was "looking down".

This post has been edited by DNLeal: 09 December 2011 - 11:32 AM

[Shadow Hog]

I'm sure if you just remove the top two black pixels from Sonic's left (our right) pupil, it'd look more like he's looking downward.

[LakeFeperd]

I have been trying to make it better the time I started to use it in my fan game, but just moving the pupils will not work, he starts to look really wierd.
I've been trying a lot of chnages on the eyes, but none of then seem to work right

well, im not good with messing aroud with character sprites, maybe someone may be able to make it better...

and, as far as I know, Sonic XG is the only fan game that has the pupils edited to look where sonic is going

[Blivsey]

Oh well now he's even more focused on us, SH

[BlackHole]

Would that be a sufficient change to the sprite? I've altered the eyebrows, pupils and legs.
Now we just need everyone to start using it.

[Shadow Hog]

Blivsey, on 09 December 2011 - 12:50 PM, said:

Oh well now he's even more focused on us, SH

Not really, but I'll concede that it doesn't really look like he's looking down, either.

[steveswede]

BlackHole, on 09 December 2011 - 12:50 PM, said:

This is better compared to the original.

[Vinchenz]

Yeah I never liked the sprite either. I first saw it in Megamix and thought it looked out of place.

It does indeed bug me when other people use it. I much prefer Sonic running in the air (I'm glad this is how its done in Generations).