I had the privilege of conducting an email interview with two developers from Pixel Tribe, the creative minds behind the upcoming Kakao Games title, *Goddess Order*. A big thank you to Ilsun, the Art Director, and Terron. J, the Contents Director, for sharing their insights into the development of this pixel RPG!
Q&A With Pixel Tribe
Droid Gamers: What inspirations do you use when creating the pixel sprites for each character?
Ilsun from Pixel Tribe: "Hello! I'm Ilsun, the Art Director at Pixel Tribe, responsible for the graphics in Goddess Order. This mobile action RPG, developed by the team behind the acclaimed Crusaders Quest, is known for its stunning pixel graphics. Goddess Order aims to deliver a console-like gaming experience with a strong narrative focus, all through meticulously crafted pixel art.
Our character designs are inspired by a vast array of games and stories we've encountered over the years. Pixel art involves arranging tiny units to convey form and movement, so it's more about the subtle influence of our experiences than specific references or techniques. It's like dipping into a lake of inspiration whenever needed.
In our daily lives, we constantly observe and absorb inspiration from various sources to keep our creativity flowing. During the early stages of development, I worked alone, creating pixel art for characters like Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan. My colleagues' shared enthusiasm for these characters led to rich discussions, shaping the art style of Goddess Order around them.
As development progressed, I collaborated with scenario writers and combat designers, and these detailed discussions were crucial. The intricate concepts and designs of Goddess Order characters are a result of this collaborative synergy. For instance, when a scenario writer or combat designer proposes a new character concept, my team and I bring it to life through pixel art. It's a fun and engaging process."
Droid Gamers: How do you start the process of world-building when creating a fantasy RPG?
**Terron J. of Pixel Tribe:** "Hello! I'm Terron. J, the Contents Director at *PixelTribe*, working on *Goddess Order*. Our development journey began with the pixel art characters, Lisbeth, Violet, and Yan, which laid the foundation for immersive gameplay.World-building in Goddess Order starts with a deep dive into the characters. It might sound abstract, but characters often come with a clear sense of identity, purpose, and mission. I've focused on fleshing out these characters, listening to their stories, and bringing them to life. As I worked on them, I saw their vibrant vitality and their compelling biographies unfold—stories of growth amidst adversity and heroes stepping up to save their kingdom.
The emphasis on manual controls in the game stemmed from the strength I felt emanating from the characters while crafting the scenario. Writing the scenario felt less like a task and more like a surreal, enjoyable journey, which is rare in the early stages of game development."
Droid Gamers: What goes into designing certain combat styles and battle animations for a character?
**Terron J. of Pixel Tribe:** "Let me break down the combat system of *Goddess Order* into three main parts. Combat typically involves three characters fighting in turns, utilizing link skills to activate synergy among knights on the battlefield, all experienced through mobile gameplay.Combat design and balance in Goddess Order aim to enhance the thrill of battle, involving extensive brainstorming and discussions. The first step is designing unique roles for each character to strategically structure the battle formation. We discuss whether a character should charge up for a powerful attack, widen their range to shorten the battle, or provide healing to assist in stage clear. The timing of linked skills can lead to more advantageous battles.
We review whether characters adhere to this mechanism. If a character fails to deliver a unique advantage or if the controls are cumbersome, we make bold adjustments to enhance combat dynamics."
Ilsun of Pixel Tribe: "The next step is enhancing the art elements to visually represent these characteristics. We consider what weapon a character should wield, what appearance would be suitable, and what movements should emphasize their concept or personality. Creating a visually enjoyable and impactful style is crucial for bringing the sensation of combat to life.
Despite being crafted in 2D pixel art, Goddess Order features characters that twist and turn their entire bodies during actions. We consider three-dimensional movements when creating pixel art, which differentiates Goddess Order's pixel quality. To facilitate smooth production, our studio has an arsenal of various models like swords, spears, shields, and guns. Our developers study detailed movements by wielding these weapons, creating original combat designs for each character."
Terron J. of Pixel Tribe: "Lastly, we focus on technical optimization to ensure that both combat and animations are enjoyable on mobile devices. We carefully check the overall specifications to ensure uninterrupted combat even on average devices and to maintain the immersion of cutscenes. Since Goddess Order is meant to be experienced firsthand, we strive to avoid compromising the gameplay experience with external factors."
Droid Gamers: What’s coming up in the future of Goddess Order?
Ilsun of Pixel Tribe: "Goddess Order's pixel art graphics and narrative-driven story evoke a sense of a well-crafted JRPG. The game follows the journey of the Lisbeth Knights, called upon by the goddess to save the world. The unique graphics and combat system immerse players in this epic quest, with individual origin stories of the knights helping to understand the game's worldview. We hope you enjoy the diverse tales of Princess Lisbeth and her knights in the Kingdom of Kaplan.
Once the chapter scenarios are complete, we plan to introduce various activities for the knights, such as resolving quests from residents or embarking on treasure hunts. Both the chapter stories and origin stories will receive continuous updates, and we also plan to introduce advanced content that challenges the limits of action through refined controls. We eagerly anticipate your support and feedback even after the game's launch."
