Pixel Tribe's Goddess Order: A Deep Dive into Pixel Art, World-Building, and Combat

This interview features Ilsun (Art Director) and Terron J. (Contents Director) from Pixel Tribe, the developers behind the upcoming Kakao Games title, Goddess Order. They offer insights into the creation of this pixel RPG.

Pixel Art Inspiration

Ilsun: Goddess Order's high-quality pixel art aims for a console-level aesthetic, emphasizing narrative. Character designs draw inspiration from a wide range of games and stories, focusing on the nuanced expression of form and movement through pixel arrangement. The creative process involves a collaborative approach, with discussions among team members shaping character design and art style. Initial characters—Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan—were pivotal in establishing the game's visual identity. The team collaborates closely with writers and designers, refining character concepts through iterative discussions and sketches.

World-Building in Goddess Order

Terron J.: World-building in Goddess Order originates from the core characters, Lisbeth, Violet, and Yan. Their inherent personalities, roles, and missions drive the narrative and world creation. The development process involves exploring the characters' stories, highlighting their growth and heroic journeys. The game's emphasis on manual controls stems from the desire to convey the characters' strength and agency within the narrative.

Combat Design and Animations

Terron J.: Goddess Order's combat features three characters fighting in turns, utilizing link skills for synergistic attacks. Combat design involves defining unique roles for each character—damage dealers, support, etc.—and ensuring strategic battle formations. The team carefully balances character abilities and link skills to create engaging and dynamic battles. They readily adjust designs if a character lacks a unique advantage or if controls feel cumbersome.

Ilsun: The visual representation of combat emphasizes impactful animations. Despite the 2D pixel art, characters exhibit three-dimensional movements, enhancing the visual experience. The team utilizes physical models of weapons to study movement and inform animation design.

Terron J.: Technical optimization is crucial for ensuring smooth gameplay on mobile devices, even on lower-spec hardware. The team prioritizes maintaining consistent performance without compromising the immersive experience.

The Future of Goddess Order

Ilsun: Future updates will focus on expanding the narrative, adding chapter scenarios and origin stories for the knights. The team plans to introduce additional activities, such as quests and treasure hunts, and will continue to refine combat mechanics to offer challenging and engaging gameplay.