RPG World-Building Secrets Revealed in Interview with Goddess Order Developers

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

Droid Gamers: What inspires your pixel sprites?

Ilsun: As Art Director, I lead the Goddess Order visuals. Building on the success of Crusaders Quest, we aim for console-quality pixel art that enhances the narrative. Each character and background is painstakingly crafted.

Inspiration is drawn from a vast wellspring of games and stories. Pixel art is about using minimal units to convey form and movement, drawing on experience rather than direct imitation. Daily life observations also fuel my creativity.

Collaboration is key. The initial characters, Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan, emerged from solo work, but their development was enriched by team discussions. Working with scenario writers and combat designers further refined character design, creating a synergistic approach. For example, a description like "a refined noblewoman who becomes a fierce dual-blade warrior" sparks collaborative sketching and refinement.

Droid Gamers: How do you build the world of a fantasy RPG?

Terron J.: World-building starts with our pixel art characters. Lisbeth, Violet, and Jan defined the game's core. Their inherent personalities, actions, and purpose guided the development. Fleshing out these characters felt less like work and more like experiencing their vibrant stories firsthand—tales of growth and heroic quests to save their kingdom. The game's emphasis on manual controls stems from the power these characters exude.

Droid Gamers: How do you design combat styles and animations?

Terron J.: Goddess Order's combat features three characters using turn-based combat and link skills. Design involves brainstorming and discussions to ensure each character has a unique role (e.g., powerful attacker, support healer) within the battle formation. Link skills add strategic depth, requiring careful balance. We make adjustments if a character lacks a unique advantage or their controls feel cumbersome.

Ilsun: Visually, we emphasize impactful art. While 2D pixel art is used, characters move three-dimensionally, enhancing the visual appeal. We even use real-world weapons to study movement for realistic animations.

Terron J.: Technical optimization is crucial for mobile gameplay. We ensure smooth combat and animations, even on lower-spec devices, without sacrificing cutscene immersion. The focus is on a seamless, immersive experience.

Droid Gamers: What's next for Goddess Order?

Ilsun: Goddess Order offers a narrative-driven JRPG experience, following the Lisbeth Knights' quest to save the world. The unique visuals and combat system enhance immersion. We'll continue updating chapter and origin stories, adding activities like quests and treasure hunts. Future content will challenge players with refined controls and advanced gameplay.