I would really encourage to make your own drawings. At least if you like to draw.
For the programmer, graphics can be only clothing on his code, and heâs happy to find already made graphics . Itâs not necessarely laziness, but more that we like to focus on coding, but maybe not on drawing. The programmer may be happy by only programming, express himself this way. But in the finnished work, the game, to the playerâs eyes, the graphics are a big part of the whole thing, so it cannot be a simple cover on top of the code but more something that goes well with it. Even for us, who program the games, isnât it a good feeling to finish a game that is 100% made by us ?
To draw your own things is also a way to avoid standardisation. Itâs not only that you could use exacly the same sprites than others, but more that you would use exacly the standard kind of sprites, the ones that please a large amount of people but is not necessarly an expression of yourself.
A bit like with youtube and social medias algorithms that show us what our kind of people like (rabbitâs holes), the sprites we can find for free, are (I guess, I never really took a deep look at them) part of a standardisation, a style that easily, without taking risk, pleases the consummer. But doesnât mean itâs deep or interesting, it can be only kind of adictive/exciting/buzy. (a bit like auto-tune in music, if I may compare). So many games look the same and are a bit mind-numbing.
Also a game graphics doesnât have to be a Boticelli masterpiece. By finding a good graphic idea, and if it goes well, hand in hand with the game spirit, itâs perfect.
If you like to draw but think youâre not good at it, then keep on drawing, youâll get better for sure. And what you show here looks great.
Also on a society point of view, with internet and free images, drawers are less needed, and hence the drawerâs activity is less important. Not to take already made pics but make them or ask a friend to make them is also a way to give drawers, not necessarly money, but a reason, a meaning, to draw.
So Iâd say that if someone likes to draw a bit, it would be sad to go for already made sprites. Else, using custom graphics can be great tho if the code, concept of the game is good. Also maybe exist free sprites that are more original, artistic, and not the standard.
What I do so far is that, since I want to focus on the code, and donât know yet if the game would be good, I use very ugly sprites, squares, rounds, or quick drawings quickly made with piskel. So if I finally come with a good code, good game, I can work on drawings knowing that I will directly use them. Itâs more motivating and avoid to loose time on drawings that in the end would not be used. The weak point of this option is that the game is ugly during development, while graphics and atmosphere can be the most important in some games.
On a commercial point of view, standardisation, no risk, copying what already pleases and is addictive works for sure. But originality and art can sell too, and sometimes way more (look at the Beatles ^^).
