Hello,

I'm creating certain game for which the programming part mostly done, but I'm having trouble with the art. I don't have an artist, so I must do it myself. I need sprites like those: http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/5488/maleassassincrossdz7.gif they don't need to be as professional, but will have the same size and follow the same style (8 directions, front-angle). I have time to learn. So, what tools would you recommend me to look at in order to make those?

Thanks.

I used flash for animations (but you can use any other app for animations, even paint ), exported frames as image sequence and then used Texture Maker (again, you can use any other similar tool) to create atlas. Some internet search should give you a lot of apps for 2D animations and sprite/atlas makers.

As for art side if you want to create a decent characters and items be prepared to a lot of training in drawing (the easiest approach would be to draw it on paper, scan it then outline it and colorize, or buy graphics tablet).

Also another idea could be to use 3D tool if you have 3D modeling skills. You can render your animation into image sequence and use those in atlas generation tools. Btw, if you are a student you can get 3D Studio Max for free in non-commercial license.

Btw, if you are a student you can get 3D Studio Max for free in non-commercial license.

Or, check out Blender. It's free, and has everything you could possibly ever need. From motion tracking to GLSL shading preview, and a sculpt mode with dynamic tessellation.

(Oh, and the Student Autodesk license is nasty. You don't own what you create with it -> http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/User:Ton/Autodesk_EULA It's from 2012 but probably still relevant.)