RPG Worldbuilding: Developers Share Insights on Crafting Fantasy Realms

Pixel Tribe's Goddess Order: A Deep Dive into Pixel Art and Gameplay

We recently had the opportunity to interview Ilsun (Art Director) and Terron J. (Contents Director) from Pixel Tribe, the developers behind the upcoming Kakao Games title, Goddess Order. This pixel RPG promises a unique blend of classic aesthetics and modern mobile gameplay.

Crafting the Pixel Perfection

Droid Gamers: What inspires the pixel sprites?

Ilsun: Goddess Order's high-quality pixel art aims for a console-level feel, emphasizing narrative. Each character and background is meticulously crafted. Inspiration draws from a wide range of games and stories, focusing on the subtle nuances of expression and movement within the pixel art form. The creative process is collaborative, with the team brainstorming and refining character designs based on story and gameplay needs. For instance, a character might be described as a refined noblewoman who becomes a fierce dual-blade warrior in combat, with the team iteratively developing the visual representation.

Building a World from Characters

Droid Gamers: How does world-building begin?

Terron J.: World-building in Goddess Order starts with the characters. The initial characters, Lisbeth, Violet, and Yan, defined the game's core. Their personalities and backstories shaped the narrative and gameplay. The immersive gameplay experience, heavily reliant on manual controls, is directly influenced by the characters' strength and the stories they tell.

Designing Dynamic Combat

Droid Gamers: How are combat styles and animations designed?

Terron J.: Goddess Order's turn-based combat uses three characters with link skills. Design focuses on creating unique roles for each character, balancing their abilities and ensuring strategic depth. The team considers how each character contributes to the overall battle strategy, whether it's through powerful attacks, support abilities, or strategic timing of linked skills.

Ilsun: The art style enhances the combat experience. While 2D pixel art is used, the characters are animated with three-dimensional movement to create visual impact. The team uses real-world weapons as references to study movement and create authentic-looking animations.

Terron J.: Technical optimization is crucial for smooth gameplay on mobile devices. The team ensures that combat remains fluid even on lower-spec devices without sacrificing visual quality or cutscene immersion.

The Future of Goddess Order

Ilsun: Future updates will expand the narrative with more chapter scenarios and character origin stories. Additional activities, such as quests and treasure hunts, will be added. The team also plans to introduce challenging advanced content with refined controls.

This interview provides a fascinating look into the development process of Goddess Order, highlighting the importance of collaboration, character-driven storytelling, and meticulous attention to detail in creating a compelling pixel RPG experience.