Interview: Goddess Order Developers Discuss How to Build a Fantasy RPG World

An exclusive email interview with Pixel Tribe, the creators of the upcoming Kakao Games title, Goddess Order, reveals insights into their pixel RPG development process. We spoke with Ilsun (Art Director) and Terron J. (Contents Director).

Pixel Tribe: A Deep Dive into Goddess Order Development

Droid Gamers: What inspires your pixel sprite creation?

Ilsun (Pixel Tribe): As Art Director, I oversee Goddess Order's visuals. Building on the success of Crusaders Quest, we aim for high-quality pixel art that captures a console-like feel, emphasizing storytelling. Each character and background is meticulously pixel-crafted.

Inspiration comes from a vast wellspring of games and narratives. Pixel art is about using tiny units to convey form and movement; it's about the subtle impact of experience rather than specific references. My creativity is fueled by daily observations and diverse sources.

Collaboration is key. Initially, I worked solo, creating Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan. Team discussions enriched these characters. Later, collaborations with writers and combat designers further shaped the art style, creating a synergistic design process. For example, a writer's description of a refined yet fierce dual-blade-wielding noblewoman inspires the concept art team to bring that vision to pixelated life through collaborative sketching and refinement.

Droid Gamers: How do you approach world-building in a fantasy RPG?

Terron J. (Pixel Tribe): World-building starts with our pixel art characters. Lisbeth, Violet, and Yan formed the foundation. Their inherent personalities, actions, and purposes guided the development. The characters' stories unfolded organically, revealing tales of growth and heroism. The game's focus on manual controls reflects the characters' strength and the immersive nature of the narrative, making the writing process a unique and enjoyable experience.

Droid Gamers: How are combat styles and animations designed?

Terron J. (Pixel Tribe): Goddess Order's combat system revolves around three characters taking turns, using linked skills for synergy. The design process involves brainstorming and discussion to ensure balanced roles for each character—powerful attackers, support characters, etc. The timing of linked skills is crucial. We adjust characters to maximize their unique advantages and ensure smooth controls.

Ilsun (Pixel Tribe): Visually representing these characteristics is the next step. We consider weapon choice, appearance, and movements to highlight character concepts and personalities. While in 2D pixel art, characters move three-dimensionally, adding depth. Our studio uses real-world weapons to study movement for authenticity.

Terron J. (Pixel Tribe): Finally, technical optimization is vital for mobile gameplay. We ensure smooth combat, even on lower-spec devices, and maintain immersive cutscenes without compromising gameplay.

Droid Gamers: What's next for Goddess Order?

Ilsun (Pixel Tribe): Goddess Order is a narrative-driven JRPG following the Lisbeth Knights' quest to save the world. The unique graphics and combat system enhance immersion. Individual knight stories will enrich the world view. After the main story, we plan to add activities like quests and treasure hunts. Both chapter and origin stories will receive ongoing updates, along with advanced content and refined controls.