Low Poly Day Brainstorming

[TomFulp]

This past year I’ve been dangling the idea of a Low Poly Day and I think it’s time to start talking 

seriously about it!

Low Poly art is essentially 3D art made with a low number of polygons. Some artists make hi-resolution low poly art with smooth edges, while others work with lower resolution, more in the style of PlayStation 1-2 games. I personally like that style.

For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

Category-wise, Movies and Art would likely get a decent turnout. If we’re ok stretching the prizes, we could include a Low Poly Game category (could be amazing) and a Y2K Music category; imagine music that fits the PS1-2 era. What do you think? Start small this year or go all out? 

Is this an event you would personally make something for?

Is this something you’d personally contribute money towards, for prizes?

Date-wise, Saturday, August 26th could work. Update: Forgot that is traditionally Robot Day. The Playstation launched in Japan on December 3rd, making me think it might be good to wait until then BUT that would clash with NG ADVENTure promo time (assuming my heart isn't broken) and the holiday site skin. Maybe November is ideal? Is there any date that is more perfect in your mind?

Here are some examples of what I picture when I think of low poly on NG:

Movies

Art

Let me know what you think and what your ideal vision of a Low Poly Day would be!

Other News

Eddsworld Charity Art Contest Winners were announced on Friday!

The Best of May were announced the previous week.

This Friday (June 23rd) is the Too Many Games Meetup in PA.

July 11th is the Christmas in July Collab Album deadline.

@ninjamuffin99 is hosting a Toronto Theater Meetup on July 29th, with an NG animation screening!

August 20th is the Pass the Mic Collab deadline.

August 31st is the Bar Hopping Art Collab entry deadline.

@Kajenx is releasing a 3D open world entry in the William and Sly series, wishlist it on Steam!

@ChromaCee has made an NG Promo Flyer! If you want to print some up, it's available in 20x25", 20x25.88" [Letter] and 8.5x11".

[MasterHand4444]

For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

Maybe for the very first one, leaving "low poly" up to submitter's interpretation would be best, and then it can be constrained as necessary in the future?

July 11th is the Christmas in July Collab Album deadline.

Also, this is unrelated but it's still so surreal seeing my own collab on this list lol. Can't wait for everyone to hear what we've been working on!!

[Royal-Harmonica]

We can skip the whole judging process and just give all the money to @LeoValo !!

jokes aside, if it's not gonna hurt anyone's wallet, a low poly day wouldn't be bad at all! 3d artist on NG seem to get nothing around here compared to 2d and sprite animations. I don't know how many 3d artists are into low poly though, I suppose it should be a small number... which is one more reason to do it, since they might learn how cool it is!

[AhWham]

What do you think? Start small this year or go all out? 

I'd say go all out: Games, Music, and Art should all be tasked to create something that calls back to the PS1, PS2, N64, and Dreamcast consoles

[BrandyBuizel]

I dig it

[Dreggsu]

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:This past year I’ve been dangling the idea of a Low Poly Day and I think it’s time to start talking 
seriously about it!

Low Poly art is essentially 3D art made with a low number of polygons. Some artists make hi-resolution low poly art with smooth edges, while others work with lower resolution, more in the style of PlayStation 1-2 games. I personally like that style.

For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

Category-wise, Movies and Art would likely get a decent turnout. If we’re ok stretching the prizes, we could include a Low Poly Game category (could be amazing) and a Y2K Music category; imagine music that fits the PS1-2 era. What do you think? Start small this year or go all out? 

Is this an event you would personally make something for?

Is this something you’d personally contribute money towards, for prizes?

Date-wise, Saturday, August 26th could work. However the Playstation launched in Japan on December 3rd, making me think it might be good to wait until then. Next year will be the 20 year anniversary of the PlayStation, potentially giving this event a boost if it gets established this year. Is there any date that is more perfect in your mind?

Here are some examples of what I picture when I think of low poly on NG:

Movies

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/877343
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/875056
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/858439
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/726018
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/847542

Art

https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/neovalo/tank-mech-lowpoly
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/cyansquare/diemango-s-hazel-lowpoly-fanart
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/neonshambles/tank-gal-in-a-tank
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/moawling/more-ramyun
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/devilsgarage/friday-evening
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/digimin/megaman-legends-2

Let me know what you think and what your ideal vision of a Low Poly Day would be!

Other News

Eddsworld Charity Art Contest Winners were announced on Friday!

The Best of May were announced the previous week.

This Friday (June 23rd) is the Too Many Games Meetup in PA.

July 11th is the Christmas in July Collab Album deadline.

@ninjamuffin99 is hosting a Toronto Theater Meetup on July 29th, with an NG animation screening!

August 20th is the Pass the Mic Collab deadline.

August 31st is the Bar Hopping Art Collab entry deadline.

@Kajenx is releasing a 3D open world entry in the William and Sly series, wishlist it on Steam!

@ChromaCee has made an NG Promo Flyer! If you want to print some up, it's available in 20x25", 20x25.88" [Letter] and 8.5x11".

Seems interesting.

[GetterRocka]

This sounds like a wonderful event to have on NG. I have not attributed any points to 3D modelling, however, perhaps I could figure out an illustration of some sort that captures the essence of low poly...

[Nebulate]

YOOOOooo! pixel day finaly got a sequal. lets GOOooo!

[Diamondmanpixel76]

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:Category-wise, Movies and Art would likely get a decent turnout. If we’re ok stretching the prizes, we could include a Low Poly Game category (could be amazing) and a Y2K Music category; imagine music that fits the PS1-2 era. What do you think? Start small this year or go all out? 

Maybe start small this year, then go all out next year.

[brwler]

: Here are some examples of what I picture when I think of low poly on NG:

:

: Movies

:

: https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/877343

Honored to have been picked as an example for low poly! :D

: For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

I am biased, but I would say let people run wild. I think capturing the aura and energy of those graphics is more important than being accurate to those console's limitations. Lord knows my videos are nowhere near accurate to those limits.

And more power to the people who are that strict with their videos, it just adds to the visual feast!!

[Coldstone07]

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:This past year I’ve been dangling the idea of a Low Poly Day and I think it’s time to start talking 
seriously about it!

Low Poly art is essentially 3D art made with a low number of polygons. Some artists make hi-resolution low poly art with smooth edges, while others work with lower resolution, more in the style of PlayStation 1-2 games. I personally like that style.

For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

I think there should be two different categories, one being actual 3D low-poly art, and the other being drawn or 2D art in the style of low-poly to differentiate the two and separate those with skills in modelling against those with skills in drawing

[TeffyD]

Y2K Music category; imagine music that fits the PS1-2 era.

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO GO ALL OUT

[ninjamuffin99]

yessirr!!! late august would be an awesome lil end of summer event, all the kids can be grinding away at games durin summer break… imma need to get on 3D grind NOW

[zayJax]

Sounds really good! Low-poly stuff is not something i see often, and an event like this could really help attract more interest to that style from users and artists alike!

[Tango]

I love low poly art, and I'd love to see a contest about it!

Gonna be the outlier here and say I prefer contests with a theme or a set of constraints, because that aids both in the creative process and with judging, in my opinion. What's considered "low poly" varies with the size and complexity of what you're working on. If the contest is themed around a character, creature or thing, it's easier to set a limit on the amount of polygons (for example), for people to know what's expected of them, and for judges to determine winners based on how well the artists executed on the theme.

I don't know if it's something I would make something for. 3D is something I dabble in, but I'm not good at it :p

[name]

That sounds like a good idea! Although I'm not sure if I have the skills to EVEN make ULP art (Ultra Low Poly)...

[ceresmane]

At 6/20/23 06:21 PM, Coldstone07 wrote:

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:This past year I’ve been dangling the idea of a Low Poly Day and I think it’s time to start talking 
seriously about it!

Low Poly art is essentially 3D art made with a low number of polygons. Some artists make hi-resolution low poly art with smooth edges, while others work with lower resolution, more in the style of PlayStation 1-2 games. I personally like that style.

For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

I think there should be two different categories, one being actual 3D low-poly art, and the other being drawn or 2D art in the style of low-poly to differentiate the two and separate those with skills in modelling against those with skills in drawing

im on the side of agreeing with having a split between 3d low-poly art and 2d art, but would that mean both categories would have different prizes? (im not sure how replies work on forums yet, forgive me !!)

[Basement-Goblin]

I think a low poly event is a great idea. It is a good way to get people into 3D modelling. If there were to be any limitations set to the low poly event, there is always the 256fes ruleset (256 polys, 256x256 textures), but maybe those limits aren't for everybody. Sounds very cool to have as an annual NG event.

[KhaosKitsune617]

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:This past year I’ve been dangling the idea of a Low Poly Day and I think it’s time to start talking 
seriously about it!

Low Poly art is essentially 3D art made with a low number of polygons. Some artists make hi-resolution low poly art with smooth edges, while others work with lower resolution, more in the style of PlayStation 1-2 games. I personally like that style.

For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

Category-wise, Movies and Art would likely get a decent turnout. If we’re ok stretching the prizes, we could include a Low Poly Game category (could be amazing) and a Y2K Music category; imagine music that fits the PS1-2 era. What do you think? Start small this year or go all out? 

Is this an event you would personally make something for?

Is this something you’d personally contribute money towards, for prizes?

Date-wise, Saturday, August 26th could work. The Playstation launched in Japan on December 3rd, making me think it might be good to wait until then BUT that would clash with NG ADVENTure promo time (assuming my heart isn't broken) and the holiday site skin. Is there any date that is more perfect in your mind?

Here are some examples of what I picture when I think of low poly on NG:

Movies

https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/877343
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/875056
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/858439
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/726018
https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/847542

Art

https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/neovalo/tank-mech-lowpoly
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/cyansquare/diemango-s-hazel-lowpoly-fanart
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/neonshambles/tank-gal-in-a-tank
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/moawling/more-ramyun
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/devilsgarage/friday-evening
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/digimin/megaman-legends-2
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/gejospixelart/fixed-low-poly-rob
https://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/bobthetacocat/picocad-stuff

Let me know what you think and what your ideal vision of a Low Poly Day would be!

Other News

Eddsworld Charity Art Contest Winners were announced on Friday!

The Best of May were announced the previous week.

This Friday (June 23rd) is the Too Many Games Meetup in PA.

July 11th is the Christmas in July Collab Album deadline.

@ninjamuffin99 is hosting a Toronto Theater Meetup on July 29th, with an NG animation screening!

August 20th is the Pass the Mic Collab deadline.

August 31st is the Bar Hopping Art Collab entry deadline.

@Kajenx is releasing a 3D open world entry in the William and Sly series, wishlist it on Steam!

@ChromaCee has made an NG Promo Flyer! If you want to print some up, it's available in 20x25", 20x25.88" [Letter] and 8.5x11".

I think "Retro-styled" would be beter than "Y2K" as an audio category. Maybe make "Y2K" a subcategory.

[OTUFF]

a collab art piece with people's characters as members of the fighting polygon team from smash N64 would be dope

a track in the N64 soundfont/style would also fit the final piece nicely

[FrozenFire]

I immediately thought of Devilsgarage when I read this I am glad you used him as an example :D

[KittyhawkMontrose]

Include Games and Music, and we're in like Flynn.

[ChordsInMotion]

Go all out, this is a beautiful idea >:D

Should probably keep "low-poly" an open-ended prompt for everyone, with as few constraints as possible, at least in my opinion.

But yeah, that sounds freaking amazing, I'd definitely make something music-wise for that >:)

And maybe I'd even make art for it, but probably not lel

[The-Great-One]

Music could be difficult to strike that right nerve. Mainly because this was a time when music in games was getting really REALLY good, especially on the PS1 and PS2. These two gems below are great examples.

[GhostHat]

Dose it count if I like draw in a low poly style or dose it have to be a 3d model of sorts?

[MOHD5aqer]

do it this'd be an awesome holiday i'd 100% wanna join if i use blender

too bad it's a holiday i can't join...yet

[Ralix]

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:This past year I’ve been dangling the idea of a Low Poly Day and I think it’s time to start talking 
seriously about it!

That's an amazing idea!

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:For an event like this, would you want to see any specific constraints defined, or would it be best to let people run wild with low poly however they see fit?

For games and movies, consider if you'd like to allow people to use licensed/free models for the competition.

I'm not saying either option is preferable. Allowing them would let people focus on the game/movie aspect without being slowed down by the art; which has its own category.

But if there are no constraints at all, and no topic, and so I'm making “any low-poly game”, I could plop one of the Synty packs I have lying around in Unity and then I have in a way cheated myself out of the low-poly aspect almost entirely.

If I was participating, I'd be looking forward to an excuse to boot up Blender to make horrible low-poly swords and trees and stuff.

I wouldn't put a constraint on the maximum number of polygons, though, so we're not limiting people who'd like to make the aforementioned hi-resolution low poly art, or force someone to decimate their models when they find out they're slightly over the limit.

If something is entered which clearly is not low-poly at all, then that's up to the judges to decide.

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:Is this an event you would personally make something for?
Is this something you’d personally contribute money towards, for prizes?

If games are involved, I'd definitely be considering it.

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:Category-wise, Movies and Art would likely get a decent turnout. If we’re ok stretching the prizes, we could include a Low Poly Game category (could be amazing) and a Y2K Music category; imagine music that fits the PS1-2 era. What do you think? Start small this year or go all out? 

Go all out for sure.

I don't get to see much 3D content around here, so all of that would be amazing. Really, I'd be thrilled to play and review mainly games, but there are not enough 3D movies and art on a regular day; so that would be a welcome change to see what people can come up with.

This got me thinking about what a hypothetical Writing category could look like. Three-dimensional characters? :)

At 6/20/23 05:31 PM, TomFulp wrote:Let me know what you think and what your ideal vision of a Low Poly Day would be!

Just seeing great low-poly games and movies, and the modelling skills of people who usually don't post 3D art.

[MSGhero]

I think August works for a game/art event. But it would need to be announced ~soon and, more importantly I think, resources to learn and develop 3D low poly art would need to be promoted. In my mind, it's not something I could get thrown into and expect to have something usable at the end, versus 2D art where mine would just look bad but be usable.

I've seen a limit on polygon count as a constraint, but idk if it's appropriate here.

[StinkoSupreme]

Yes, please do it. If you want to probably capture the most amount of interest is probably to be broad with constraints and leave it up to people for self imposed constraints to imitating certain hardware/software of the time period. I would love to see entries for all the categories, with music and games if prizes can be stretched enough.

There is also the 3DNG discord that could have some new life breathed into it with new people needing help.

[AlexToolStudio]

I got an idea to make a game with most of NG crew's low polys Pico P bot the captain Boyfriend YOU NAME IT