In my opinion if you are after vector art in games I would go for Flash since animation is possible there with certain ease regarding the timeline (unfortunately not free, but there are monthly installments possible - although there is a trial available for testing purposes). For raster animation - Krita Def.

Keeping vector graphics vector in games is generally much too slow - so those will have to be converted to bitmap elements anyway.

Flash is an okay animation tool for character animation: Anime Studio is far more evolved for that type of work (and inexpensive compared for the regular non-pro version). If the game engine supports cut-out animation tools, then either Spriter or Spine offer a superior pipeline and workflow.

Everything really depends on the game graphic style you decide on in the initial game design stage. Only then should you decide on the tool(s) you will use.

AdiJager is correct: it is best to combine Krita and InkScape in your asset generation workflow. Sometimes vectors work better, and at other times a bitmap-oriented approach (Krita) will work best. And there is nothing against combining the two, and relying on their respective strengths.

And Gimp is often used as well for certain tasks.

To learn more about InkScape and game art, why not check out the "game art for programmers" blog:

http://www.2dgameartguru.com/

Photoline, with a hint of InkScape (Photoline allows for round-tripping with InkScape, which is awesome). Also Blender and Spriter. For specific pixel work I use Pro Motion 6.5

Rayek

'Photoline has a very nice 3d shadow layer effect '

Looks like a really good image editor, is there any tutorials/examples for creating drop shadows with the software.

It is comparable to Photoshop in terms of image editing, and similar in operation. Photoline, however, also offers a 3d shadow layer effect

I'll see if I can whip up a quick tutorial this week.

Photoline has a very nice 3d shadow layer effect that does exactly this, and even provides curve-based control for the softness. The effect can be dragged with the mouse in the view, and allows for back-lighted shadows as well. And the shadow can be filled with a gradient, texture, pattern too!

There is a "game source code" Humble Bundle deal going on now. For $12 you get Game Maker Pro, the Android module, as well as the source code for games such as Stealth Bastard Deluxe.

I am no Game Maker fan, but it is interesting to look under the hood of these games! And it can't hurt to expand your developer's tool box. And the price is rather low indeed.

https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly

Depends on the application. Pro motion is DRM free, and can be installed without Steam, for example. So can Sprite Lamp, and AGK2. Spriter is Steam only, Most of the sprite packs do not need Steam, but some do.

Ordinarily I would not post something like this, but Pixly is just too good to NOT post here.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ixly&hl=en

A free Android pixel art editor that is actually worth using:

• layers
• time line for animation (simple but effective)
• proper drawing tools
• control view (zooming and panning) and brush size with touch
• custom grid setup
• colour effects (replace, mix, invert, hue/saturation/brightness shift, blur, grayscale, tint edges)
• mirror function (both while drawing, and as a function)
• spritesheet export and import
• (custom) colour palettes and manager. Comes with NES and Master System defaults.
• brush editor with anti-aliasing options
• dithering options for fill
• pattern stamp
• gradient tool (with dithering options)
• realtime image tiling
• only 3mb, and just wants access to your media card!

and much more! Check it out. I was pleasantly surprised.

ProMotion 6.5 is now part of the Humble Bundle deal for indie game devs.

https://www.humblebundle.com/

Ordinarily $78, you now get it for $11.20 (plus a host of other goodies).

http://www.cosmigo.com/promotion/index.php

The latest indie game dev Humble Bundle includes ProMotion, which is also a great pixel art editor and animator.

And it gets you a copy of Spriter, and Sprite Lamp to light your sprites. And loads of assets.

https://www.humblebundle.com/

For drawing pixel art "on the go", try Pixly (which is free, and frankly quite amazing):

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ixly&hl=en

Don't suppose C2 will be one of the permitted engines...?

Any engine or development environment/tool is allowed this year. Construct included. They do have special prizes for "sponsoring" engines, which is indeed a bit odd, but understandable.

I think this is a good opportunity to showcase Construct as well. The game art packs included in the Humble Bundle deal can be used with any game dev tool and environment as well. And Spriter is included, which works really well together with Construct (and sort-of with the included App Kit 2).

The second IGMC has just started! Go join the fun, and create a game by August 7th.

http://contest.gamedevfort.com/

Humble Bundle is joining them with a quite nice "Humble Game Making Bundle": https://www.humblebundle.com/

Which includes Spriter Pro and Sprite Lamp! As well as many art (sprite) packs.