I had the pleasure of conducting an email interview with two talented developers from Pixel Tribe, the creative minds behind the highly anticipated Kakao Games title, *Goddess Order*. A huge thank you to Ilsun, the Art Director, and Terron. J, the Contents Director, for sharing their insights into the development process 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: "Hey there! I'm Ilsun, the Art Director at Pixel Tribe, and I oversee the graphics for Goddess Order. This mobile action RPG, developed by the team behind the acclaimed Crusaders Quest, is all about high-quality pixel art that evokes the feel of console gaming with a focus on storytelling. Each character and background is crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
The inspiration for our character designs comes from a vast reservoir of games and stories we've experienced over the years. Pixel art involves arranging tiny units to express form and movement, drawing from a nuanced influence rather than specific references. It's like having a lake of inspiration where you can dip in and draw out something useful whenever needed. I keep my creativity flowing by absorbing inspiration from various sources in my daily life.
Our production process thrives on the synergy among teammates. Initially, I worked alone, creating the pixel art for characters like Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan. As my colleagues shared my passion for these characters, we engaged in detailed discussions, bringing them to life. These conversations unleashed a wealth of ideas and energy, shaping Goddess Order's art style around these three characters. As development progressed, I collaborated with scenario writers and combat designers, but the discussions with colleagues remained crucial. The intricate designs of Goddess Order's characters are a result of this collaborative effort.
For instance, when a scenario writer or combat designer shares an intriguing concept for a character, my concept art team and I bring that vision to life through pixel art. Someone might suggest, 'What if there’s a noble lady who appears refined but turns fierce in battle, wielding dual blades and soaring through the air?' Then, another team member might start sketching, refining the details together. It's a fun and enjoyable process."
Droid Gamers: How do you start the process of world-building when creating a fantasy RPG?
**Terron J. of Pixel Tribe:** "Hey there! I'm Terron. J, the Contents Director at *Pixel Tribe*, working on *Goddess Order*. Building on the previous question, everything in *Goddess Order* starts with our pixel art characters.The initial characters, Lisbeth, Violet, and Yan, set the stage for immersive gameplay. Our world-building process begins by closely examining these characters. It might sound abstract, but characters often come to us with a clear sense of identity, purpose, and mission.
I've dedicated myself to fleshing out these characters, listening to the stories they bring and bringing them to life. As I worked on them, I witnessed their vibrant vitality and saw their compelling biographies unfold—stories of growth amidst adversity, of heroes stepping forward to save their kingdom.
The emphasis on manual controls in the game stemmed from the strength and energy emanating from the characters while crafting the scenario. Writing the scenario felt less like a task and more like a surreal, enjoyable journey, a rare experience 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. In *Goddess Order*, combat involves three characters fighting in turns, utilizing link skills to activate synergy among two or more knights on the battlefield. This is all experienced firsthand through mobile gameplay.Our combat design and balance aim to enhance the excitement of combat, involving extensive brainstorming and discussions. The first step is designing unique positions and roles for each character to strategically structure the battle formation. We discuss whether each character will charge up for a powerful attack, widen their range to shorten the time, or serve as a versatile character with healing skills to assist in stage clear. The timing of linked skills can lead to significantly more advantageous battles.
We review whether characters adhere to this mechanism. If a character fails to deliver a unique advantage in terms of utility or if the controls are cumbersome, we make bold adjustments for the sake of combat dynamics."
Ilsun of Pixel Tribe: "Next, we focus on 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. Although Goddess Order is crafted in 2D pixel art, the battles are designed with three-dimensional movements, which differentiates our pixel quality.
To facilitate smooth production, our studio has an arsenal of various models like swords, spears, shields, and guns. Our developers occasionally wield these weapons to study detailed movements. Through these diligent efforts, we create combat designs with originality for each character."
Terron J. of Pixel Tribe: "Lastly, we emphasize technical optimization to ensure that both combat and animations are enjoyable on mobile devices.
We carefully check the overall specifications to ensure that the combat remains uninterrupted even on devices with average specifications and that it does not disrupt the immersion of cutscenes. Since Goddess Order is meant to be experienced firsthand rather than just observed, 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 the feel of a well-crafted JRPG. The storyline follows the journey of the Lisbeth Knights, called upon by the goddess to save the world.
The unique graphics and combat system further immerse players in this epic quest. The individual origin stories of the knights encountered along this journey help players understand the world view. We hope you enjoy the diverse tales experienced by 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."
