Our monster spritesets currently consist of two files. the first file is a .png image file (32 bit color with either alpha transparency or #FF00FF as transparency color) with all animation phases of the monster aligned to a grid. the 2nd file is an animation definition file with the ending .xml that declares which subimage is used when.

The Spriteset File

the png file contains all the animation phases. currently the animation system can display the following actions in each of the four directions. so the spriteset should contain at least one sprite for each of them:

• standing
• attacking
• walking
• dead

there is no upper limit for the number of animation phases for each action.

all the phases have to be arranged in a grid. the grid can have any size but it has to be the same for the whole spriteset. the organisation can be anyway you want. it is even possible to use the same frame multiple times in a sequence or even in different animation sequences. but the creation of the xml file is much easier when subimages that belong to the same animation are next to each other in the right order from left to right.

The XML File

For a description of the animation definition files see Animations

Monster Proposals

For a list of creature proposals and concept art see Creature_proposal