Q: Can I use the sprites on this site? Do I have to ask permission?
A: I get this question a lot, so I'll just explain it. Of course you can. That's why the site is here. You do not need to ask anyone for any kind of permission when using sprite, background, or sound rips.

Q: When does SDB update?
A: I update the site every Sunday just before midnight (eastern time). So in other words, show up on Monday morning and there'll be new stuff.

Q: How did SDB start out?
A: SDB started out as the sprite page of a site that's still around: my personal sprite comic site Utter Nonsense Productions. Bonzai and I ripped so many sprites that the sprite section became the main attraction of the site, and we decided it didn't really belong there any more. Sprite Database (not The Sprite Database, Sprites Database, or Spriter's Database as many people call it) was started around February of 2005. Right now, the site continues to grow in popularity, which I attribute to the fact that we always update every single week with a substantial amount of interesting and unique content (as in, rips that aren't really found elsewhere.) The key to success with any kind of website is quality and quantity of content. Apparently.

Q: Why "Sprite Database"?
A: It's a database of sprites isn't it? Also SDB just sounds good as an abbreviation.

Q: Why the hell do you (or did you--past tense) rip so many sprite sheets?
A: Well, sprite ripping is one of the few things I do very well. This site started out with only sprites from Bonzai and I, so naturally a large amount of the sprites on the site are from us. We still rip actively and frequently, sometimes for the fun of it and sometimes to fill up an update during a slow week...we're hoping we won't have as many slow weeks in the future.

Q: Ok, so I know how to contact Grim and Bonzai but what if I need to talk to some other contributor?
A: You should check one of their sheets (or whatever kind of submission it is) for contact information; email addresses and that kind of thing. If you don't find anything see if you can get ahold of them on the forums. If that doesn't work and it's really important contact me and I'll see what I can do.

Q: What do you mean when you say "Give credit"?
A: When we spriter-types ask for credit, we mean this: if you make a comic, put a small blurb on your site or whatever:: "Thanks to so-and-so for the such-and-such sprites". Or, if you base a personal sheet off of a sprite on SDB, make a note of who ripped the base on your sheet. And if you make a game, you could put it in the credits or the documentation.

Q: What's up with you sprite rippers asking for credit?
A: A lot of people think that you shouldn't give credit for sprite rips. I'm not one of those people. Ripping is hard (not to mention tedious and boring) work, which is why most people don't do it. By ripping sprites that you might potentially use, I save you a lot of work, so it's only right to give credit. If it helps, think of it this way; the credit is for the effort, not the sprites themselves.

Q: How come you don't have (X) sprite sheet? Every other site does.
A: Basically, I only put up sheets that were submitted. I mean, I know every site in the universe has Dan Sydney's Sonic Advance rips, and I'm sure he wouldn't care if I archived them, but we don't do things that way. Besides, one of my main goals with this site is to have a large amount of content that you CAN'T get anywhere else.

Q: So is this whole sprite archiving / ripping thing legal?
A: You could probably argue til the cows come home whether it falls under "fair use" law or not, but the fact is no sprite archive site has ever been contacted by a game company; they simply don't care. I've been doing it for almost four years and I'm not in jail yet.

Q: What kind of rips can I submit?
A: SDB will take literally any rips if they meet quality standards. This includes rips from Flash or other online games, noncommercial games such as Halo Zero, PC games, and backgrounds. That being said, I have no official standards, but judge each submission objectively. Sheets don't have to be complete, but if they're severly lacking, or improperly saved, it can be a problem. See the submission page for more details.

Q: What about edits / customs?
A: Whether or not I choose to accept a custom or edit depends on the quality (majorly) and the quantity (not so important, but it counts). If a custom submission isn't up to snuff the guys on the forums will definitely let you know.

Q: Do you take pixel art?
A: No, unless it's ripped; these could be considered pixel art. Custom sprites and edits, people can at least use; pixel art isn't helping anyone. And don't try to drag me into a pixel art/sprite debate because I know what I'm talking about.

Q: Where do I get roms and emulators?
A: JFGI.

Q: What does JFGI mean?
A: Jelly Fish Gondola Island. Fun stuff.

Q: I can't get a tutorial / save state / rom / etc. to work!
A: Please bother someone else, or try the forums. I like to help people when I can but usually people just assume I'm sitting around waiting to do tech support.

Q: Can you please make / rip / write / etc....
A: Please, no requests. Between running this site, playing video games, and occasionally going to college I'm way too busy.