Journal of Games, Game Art and Gamification

Vol. 07, No. 01, 2022

Pixel Art for Game Character Design

Tubagus Zufri Octavianus Frans Dodi Hilman
Visual Comunication Design Visual Comunication Design Visual Comunication Design
School of Design Bina Nusantara School of Design Bina Nusantara School of Design Bina Nusantara
Jakarta, Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract—This paper analyzes the development, basic design designers have appeared pixels in their designs. here is the will
foundations, and design principles of character designs that are to produce designs by using computer graphics to create
often found in today's games. This discussion relates to the amazing designs.
ability of pixel styles to survive even though the design styles of
the current digital art era are developing with diverse thoughts. Pixel art is the technique of creating images and animation
Pixels are the basic elements of design that are capable of using the smallest unit of color that a computer can render.
producing attractive design work. Looking at the current
As an illustration, we can see the similarity of the visual
development of pixel styles, in the midst of the proliferation of
3D-based visual works, we can find that pixel styles still have an
concept of mosaic or cross stitch with pixel art. All of them
irreplaceable influence. Pixel-based designs are still being put are composed of a smallest unit of image. At early time pixel
into practice and applied in the form of games by more designers art as a graphic style is used in computers and digital game
and artists consoles because there are strict size limits to the screen and
limits on the content that can fit on the cartridge or CD. In
Keywords— Character Pixel style, Game Character Design, 1983 the Nintendo Entertainment System was limited to 54
Retro Game Design color pixels it can only display 25 colors on the screen at once.
The Nintndo Entertainment System has a total screen
I. INTRODUCTION resolution of 256 x 240 pixels. In 1990 the company released
The Video games are a work of magic. He can create his the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the technology
own world, with narration, drama, music, and visuals that has improved enough to manage 32,768 colors. To create
involve players to actively participate in the world that is retro-styled pixel art, artists simply set similar limits on the
present in the game. In a game, the user interface is an image resolution and colors used. [2]
important thing that allows the player to interact with the game In today's modern era, its presence is truly an aesthetic
world. It plays a very big role in being able to bridge users choice. This style is popular partly because of the nostalgic
with the things that are offered in the game. The functionality value of older games, besides that this style is easy to develop
of the GUI is very important for establishing a connection without losing its characteristics. The simpler the animations
between the player and the game world. and camera angles of a game, the more the power of pixel art
Pixel art is an art and aesthetic style that we can still find emerges. Pixel art doesn't require any sophisticated tools. all
in the visual design of a game. Until the mid-90s this art form it takes is time and skill.
was the only one that could be applied to digital game consoles
and PCs. its shape can be likened to a cross stitch or digital
mosaic. This stems from problems related to hardware
limitations in the 8 and 16-bit computing era when the
resolution is small and the number of colors that can be
displayed is still very limited [5]. As technology evolves, pixel
art is becoming increasingly displaced by 3D graphics as
newer hardware rendering capabilities improve. Around the
2000s, pixel art was mostly found on handheld consoles and
cell phones and is not expected to last long as hardware
technology develops. However, this assumption turned out to
be unproven as the number of games that used this style Fig. 1. Pixel style character
remained popular. Pixel art is a unified whole and is now (Source: Personal)
present not by limitations but appears as a visual style [11].
A. Pixel art as graphic tool
B. Pixel Art Technique
As a unique art style, pixel art presents images
intentionally limiting to a certain Resolution. In particular, the Due to the fixed palette and limit of available colors, the
dithering pattern adds a bold and expressive style to the image pixel character designer developed several dithering
and gives aspiring character designers and new media techniques to mix colors and add shadow and depth. The most
designers to experiment freely. The fact that pixel art has common dithering effect is to draw two colors in a
never before emerged as a kind of art is a strong incentive to checkerboard pattern. Changing the density of any of the
keep it as a tool in the hands of artists. As unique character colors will change the tone of the area. Stylish dithering is two

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 Journal of Games, Game Art and Gamification
Vol. 07, No. 02, 2022

or more colors that disperse spontaneously, small rings are • Mannerism/habits Identifiable parts of the character that
also common. differentiate it from other [5]
Creating a partially transparent image for use in video The image that has the most potential to attract people to
games is commonly referred to as spriting. Images are usually read the game description is the game character. After they
used for foreground and character animation or still images click on the character icon, all game features will be displayed,
called sprites. Sprites are sometimes used to describe the act from description, version, game detail information, game
of creating pixel art, although sprites can also be high- developer, some game level preview images, to customer
resolution 2D graphics. Due to the origins of its activities, in ratings and reviews. Both the characters and the visual
some communities “sprite art” and “pixel art” Is the same appearance of the game create a journey of visual experience
thing. that allows people to experience adventures and challenges in
the virtual world.
Sprites can also be used in a 3D environment, this is called
billboarding. It gets its billboard name from how the sprites The characters in the game play a unique role. It is a
are positioned to always face the camera, just as billboards are representation of the player as it happens in a virtual world full
strategically placed to always face a car on the road. of adventures and challenges. Players can find different
billboarding is used for both aesthetics and performance adventures and challenges in each level of the game. The
optimization. appearance, attributes and even personalities of some game
characters can also be controlled and customized. Design
Using pixel art as a visual option will save both in terms characters and other game assets are included in the game art.
of money and the number of people involved but of course Games tend to differentiate themselves first by their visual
they must have sufficient skills to produce good work.
style, then by their gameplay mechanics, and finally by their
Because this style severely limits the size at low resolutions, narrative.
each pixel must be carefully positioned to enhance the
character's appearance. At first the problem was the file size The visual style might appeal to people, but if the
and available colors. Nowadays, the retro look and impression gameplay isn't fun, the characters won't help. If the game is
that every pixel is placed with careful consideration will be fun and exciting, then players won't really mind the weak
lost if the sprite is too large and detailed. In other words, the story. Ideally, all elements are equally strong, but this is rare.
more detailed the resulting pixel art, the more retro impression A good game character is one that enables and supports a great
will fade. game. This is much more important than a strong marketing
image. Character is also something that reveals itself gradually
C. Character Design to a player.
Character is the main thing in the story presented; soul that
animates the story. In a film, a character will take the audience Characters in the game are divided into several types, one
along with their adventures, following them until the film of which is a character who is the embodiment of the
ends. In a game, characters are often avatars whose imagination and wishful thinking of players who play
appearance and attributes can be modified, based on player themselves in a game. Although these characters do not
preferences. The characters will then face challenges, which represent the real life of the player. Some examples include
take place at levels that have different levels of difficulties. figures such as racers, elite squad leaders or knights.

A character is designed based on a story idea or storyline. Another type as stated by Scott McCloud as an iconic
Character designers are professionals who constantly character. McLoud applies this to comic characters but we
challenge themselves to explore their imagination to find the also find it in game characters, even famous game characters
perfect and unique character that is different from the existing like Mario are present in that form.
ones. Character designers typically work with walls full of
drawings, piles of sketches, and references from books, music
and films, photographs, and research data. The whole process
is a long one to get the soul into the character and bring it to
life. The goal of a character designer is to create a character
that meets the needs of the script, scene, game, or story and
fits the storyline.
We can lists six important aspects of dramatic personae,
which can be applied to the design of game characters, as well:
• Dramatic need provides a purpose, focus and direction of
story; it is the reason why the protagonist is in the story
• Point of view explains how the character sees the
situation(s) • Attitude explains the stance the character
takes to the situation(s)
• Change makes the character intriguing and realistic
• Weakness/negative trait makes the character realistic and Fig. 2. Range of style [7]
is also a convenient way of building obstacles. This is also
perhaps the aspect that the character will be able to change
in her/himself.

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a) Player Character divided into two levels: perception (visual, tactile, auditory,
The personality and attractiveness of the player's character etc.) and emotional. Games are designed based on the results
stems from his movements in response to the player's control of human-computer interaction and programmed information.
actions as well as watching excerpts from complex scenes. [1]
Most of the time spent with the player character will take place The aim of this research is to broaden the academic
over time as the game progresses. The player's character is understanding of pixel art by exploring some games so that we
rooted in the visceral and cognitive layers and their social self can get an idea of how the pixel style can stand out among the
and fantasy emerges not solely due to the linear story other styles.
presented in the existing game genre. [4]
A Game character designer should consider to set explicit III. DISCUSSION
criteria for each of the four layers: While it is undeniable that 3D images have become the
design mainstream, the pixel art style still has an indelible
• Deep. How does it feel to become this character? Is it fun? influence. The pixelated design, as an exploration between
What powers does he have? How does this character retro and trend, also attracts the hearts of many new consumers
move. with its uniqueness. In design, the pixel style is independent
• Cognitive. Do the player's own instincts about what to do and permeates all aspects of people's lives. An unit of blocks
next in the game match the cognitive strategies this are put together to abstractly show various forms, but they also
character will have? Does the character feel like a perfect have a unique beauty.
avatar to players? Pixel art is similar to cross stitch, where if the character
• Social. Does the character's social persona match the basic designer keeps pushing the available pixels, they may end up
game play style and motivation? Are social personas being able to represent a recognizable shape in a very limited
interesting and appealing to players? Does it fit the NPC space. Limitations give birth to innovation in the world of
cast and their social roles? Can the player perform the design. It is known that many character designers often limit
social action he wants, based on his character? themselves strongly, through their choice of equipment and
expressions. This creates a design problem, a problem the
• Fantasy. Is this a character that players want to try out? Do artist must be able to solve. Whenever we look at a work and
the characters' backgrounds and motivations match the try to evaluate it, we compare it to our own mental image. If
game itself—is it a fantasy persona that really fits into the we can learn to stimulate and harness this vision, by creating
core game mechanics? boundaries and goals, then intuition will grow stronger. New
solutions have to be born and unique ways to solve problems
b) Non-Player Character are found. By clarifying boundaries and seeing them as
NPCs have various objectives in the game. An Non Player challenges and opportunities for innovation, not barriers,
Character may have many kind of abilities that are useful to practitioners can gain an understanding of their own
players. Beyond the ability just to provide assistance in the aesthetics.
game world, friendly NPCs may also be able to provide moral
support in achieving game objectives. Those characters can Pixelated visual language is the painting of choice in the
also act as companions for players or can provide social age of mechanics. Indeed, pixel art is a product of the times.
motivation. Even unfriendly NPCs can enhance the player It also represents a combination of rationality and sensitivity,
experience, providing resistance and conflict. NPCs in neutral as well as digital media and artistic creation. Pixel style has
roles can provide a positive respons for players when they appeared in painting, graphic design art, etc., depicting
approve of their actions. people's attractive world of imagination.
NPCs in games are often positioned as character that Because boundaries and boundaries are part of every
already became a part of the player’s life. An NPC may have artistic process, whether we realize it or not. Reflections on
a kinship role toward the player’s character (Team mate, long why the character designer chose to do it a certain way can be
time boy/girl friend, or the like). This means that the player invaluable. And it is often this process of reflection that makes
already has a connection toward and investment in the NPC us grow as artists. Even in the realm of pixel art, where the
based on their past, and the NPC has been designed to have enhancements may run counter to what the general public
“connection” as well. Relationship also grow during the game. might expect. Basic knowledge of how to design a character
the most powerful NPC interactions and connections can arise is fundamental because with pixels we have to reduce design
from the building of obligation and investment through mutual elements to a minimum level. In the discipline of character
actions during game play. [4]. design we can use the silhouette technique to define shapes for
easy identification.[6]
II. RESEARCH METHOD
There are so many different styles in character design, in
One of the most important thing of game design is to general the image styles that can be applied are realistic styles,
create a experience, which is inseparable from the player semi-realistic styles, and iconic styles. Unlike in the past when
character experiences during and after the game played. Game pixels were a solution to technological limitations, now
design with great player experience is the successful design. technology has been able to produce realistic images, even to
There is a level in the interaction between game mechanics, photographic images, this affects the resulting visual form,
game dynamics and aesthetics [8] and at the same point there meaning that we can create semi-realistic pixel art, even
is character design. Every visual aspect in a game is a tool that realistic ones.
translates the programming language into part of the player
experience and can further create immersion [10]. From the As we know that basically a game consists of foreground,
perspective of psychological meaning, the interface can be middle ground and background components which are one

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 Journal of Games, Game Art and Gamification
Vol. 07, No. 02, 2022

unit in the scene. Of course, most of the games that we know We will use this opportunity to give a little discussion in
have a main character who is part of the journey of the game the form of a description of the game player and onplayer,
itself which is usually a series of obstacles in achieving the which is the enemy of the main character.
goal. [8]
The design of these two characters uses the iconic style
It is not about a good or a bad decision but it have to be with the same ratio of about 1:2 heads. The thing that
about how far the picture can claimed as a pixel art. The distinguishes the two are the attributes and forms attached to
picture art is supposed to be an integration of every elements the resulting visualization. The main character has a form that
in the picture. It is not a montage of several picture in pixel is the normal standard for characters in the game where he
art style with different resolution. We can see some wears work clothes equipped with a long-sleeved coat, shirt
similarities or as we called it syntax in the characters that used and tie and wears trousers and shoes. For the head looks neat
in the game as we can accept the limitation and the uniqueness hair with a normal face plus a little beard.
form of those character and have no doubt whether it is 8 or
16 bit style pixel art. For the enemy, which in this case is a zombie creature,
wearing untidy clothes such as a t-shirt or clothes that have an
imperfect shape, wearing long pants. For the shape of the face
we can see that the shape is not normal when we compare it
with the previous character. His eyes seemed to widen, his
mouth was covered in blood and he seemed to have damaged
his head like a big wound .
To create a series of characters using pixel art is that all are
bound by a guideline about limiting the number of pixels. As
previously stated, a scene consists of three layers. The
calculation when determining the smallest pixel is when the
design stage is able to determine the smallest part of the image
that still needs to be recognized. For example, the smallest
body part that must be recognized. That's why we often see a
Fig. 3. Visual style [7] character that uses a pixel art style that doesn't describe the
face in detail, such as the eye. If this is done, the number of
pixels will be large because it will also be applied to the
We can see the character designs which are a single property and background or environment. Following the
common thread which is then translated into pixel art. The
limitations that caused this style to be born we have to
chosen iconic form will blend with the visual experience and
calculate between details and gestures.
mental reflection of the player even though the form presented
is not a real form that can be found visually in everyday life.
By borrowing the term that was conveyed by Scott McCloud,
we can see a glimpse of the picture when applied to a character
in a game that uses a pixel art style.
Changes in shape as stated earlier when we decided to use
pixel art are not shapes that imitate reality and project them
with realistic shapes. Pixel art will lose its uniqueness if you
do that. Many visual artists are trying to pixelate realistic
images and make pixel art realistic, it seems there is a problem
in understanding the diversity of styles.
As a cross development, it may produce new forms, but
the thing that must be maintained is that pixel art is a method
that does not refer to the visual style of its predecessors, but
refers to forms that can be achieved with the existing
technological conditions at that time.

Fig. 4. Visual style comparison [7]

Fig. 5. “Infectonator” Toge Production [3]

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 Journal of Games, Game Art and Gamification
Vol. 07, No. 02, 2022

Design is a process and an aesthetic activity. Design This is not an attempt to develop true pixel art or an official
consists of actions and choices, this applies to every decision definition, but rather to demonstrate that it is indeed a wider
even for the smallest. Pixel art has its limitations. These medium and craft, not just a nostalgic style or practice.
boundaries or limitations may not be the same for every
project or artist, but they are important for the work to be ACKNOWLEDGMENT
considered pixel art. Realism is not at the core of pixel art; The author were supported directly by the teaching team
pixel art is not meant to produce realistic work that demands of visual communication design in the Animation program at
a resemblance to nature and the greater the resemblance to Bina Nusantara University. the entire staff of the New Media
nature, the less likely it is to be considered pixel art and Animation program.
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