I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ilsun (Art Director) and Terron J. (Contents Director) from Pixel Tribe, the talented team behind the upcoming Kakao Games title, *Goddess Order*. Many thanks to Ilsun and Terron for sharing their insights into the development of this pixel RPG!
Q&A With Pixel Tribe
Droid Gamers: What inspires the pixel sprites for each character?
Ilsun (Pixel Tribe): "Hi! I'm Ilsun, Art Director at Pixel Tribe, leading the visuals for Goddess Order. Building on the pixel art success of Crusaders Quest, Goddess Order aims for a high-quality, console-like feel, emphasizing narrative. Each character and background is meticulously pixel-crafted. Inspiration draws from countless games and stories; pixel art is about using small units to express form and movement, so it's more about the nuanced influence of experience than specific references. It's like having a wellspring of inspiration—I constantly observe and absorb from daily life to keep my creativity flowing. Collaboration is key. Initially, I worked solo, creating Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan. Discussions with colleagues fueled rich ideas and helped shape the art style around them. As development progressed, collaboration with writers and combat designers became crucial. For instance, a writer might suggest a noble lady who's refined but fiercely battles with dual blades; we'd then collaboratively sketch and refine the design. It's a fun, iterative process."
Droid Gamers: How do you approach world-building in a fantasy RPG?
Terron J. (Pixel Tribe): "Hi, I'm Terron J., Contents Director. Our world-building starts with the characters—Lisbeth, Violet, and Yan. Their personalities and backstories formed the game's foundation. I fleshed out their narratives, witnessing their growth and heroism unfold. The emphasis on manual controls stemmed from experiencing their strength while writing the story. It felt less like work and more like a unique, enjoyable journey."
Droid Gamers: How are combat styles and battle animations designed?
Terron J. (Pixel Tribe): "Goddess Order's combat uses three characters in turn-based battles, with link skills creating synergy. Design involves brainstorming and discussions. First, we define unique roles for each character—a powerful attacker, a fast-paced fighter, or a support healer. The timing of link skills is crucial. We ensure each character offers a unique advantage and that controls are intuitive. If a character lacks utility or feels cumbersome, we adjust accordingly."
Ilsun (Pixel Tribe): "Next, we enhance the visuals. We consider weapon choice, appearance, and movements to emphasize personality. While it's 2D pixel art, characters move three-dimensionally. This adds depth to the pixel quality. We use physical models—swords, spears, etc.—to study movement for more realistic animations."
Terron J. (Pixel Tribe): "Finally, we optimize for mobile. We ensure smooth combat even on lower-spec devices without compromising cutscenes. Goddess Order is designed for hands-on gameplay, so we prioritize a seamless experience."
Droid Gamers: What's next for *Goddess Order*?
Ilsun (Pixel Tribe): "Goddess Order offers a JRPG feel with its pixel art and story. It follows the Lisbeth Knights saving the world. We'll continuously update chapter and origin stories. Post-launch, we plan to add activities like quests and treasure hunts, and advanced content with refined controls."
