This interview delves into the development of Goddess Order, an upcoming mobile action RPG from Pixel Tribe, the creators of Crusaders Quest. We spoke with Ilsun (Art Director) and Terron J. (Contents Director) about their creative process.
Pixel Tribe's Goddess Order: An Interview
Droid Gamers: What inspires the pixel sprites?
Ilsun: Goddess Order's high-quality pixel art aims for a console-level aesthetic, prioritizing storytelling. Character designs draw from a broad range of games and narratives, focusing on the subtle expression of form and movement through pixel arrangement. Inspiration is drawn from everyday life and collaborative discussions within the team. The initial characters, Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan, emerged from solo work and were collaboratively refined through team discussions, shaping the game's art style. Ongoing collaboration with writers and designers ensures character concepts align with narrative and gameplay.
Droid Gamers: How do you approach world-building in a fantasy RPG?
Terron J.: World-building begins with the characters. Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan established the foundation for the game's immersive gameplay. The characters' inherent personalities, actions, and purposes drive the narrative. Developing their stories felt organic, revealing their growth and heroic journeys. The game's emphasis on manual controls stems from the characters' strength and the immersive scenario writing.
Droid Gamers: How are combat styles and animations designed?
Terron J.: Goddess Order's combat features three-character turn-based battles with link skills for synergy. Design prioritizes unique character roles and strategic formation. Characters are designed to offer distinct advantages (e.g., powerful attacks, area-of-effect damage, support). The timing of linked skills significantly impacts combat. Adjustments are made to ensure each character's utility and control mechanics are intuitive.
Ilsun: Visual representation complements the combat design. Weapon choices, appearances, and movements emphasize character concepts and personalities. Despite being 2D pixel art, the game incorporates three-dimensional movement in character animations. The team utilizes physical props (swords, spears, etc.) to study movement for realistic depictions.
Terron J.: Technical optimization is crucial for mobile performance. The team ensures smooth combat even on lower-spec devices without compromising cutscene immersion. The focus is on a seamless, engaging firsthand gameplay experience.
Droid Gamers: What's the future of Goddess Order?
Ilsun: Goddess Order aims to deliver a compelling JRPG experience with pixel art and a narrative-driven story following the Lisbeth Knights. Future updates will expand on the chapter scenarios and character origin stories, adding activities like quests and treasure hunts. Advanced content with refined controls will also be introduced post-launch.
