Pixel Art

In days of old, limited memory and screen resolution meant game developers had to make due with low-res graphics. That retro art style is still a major component in the video game industry, especially among indie developers. Pixel art (aka 8-bit art) is easy to learn, and combining it with today's technology can offer a vibrant, interesting medium for artists. Overall, it's a relatively simple style to implement. There are many videos online that teach all of the little eye tricks, thus it's inviting to novice 2D designers in search of their first experience.

I have always loved the block-y designs enlarged pixels produce, but that's not the reason I got into it. One of my classes has a final project that involved making a game on a small LCD screen powered by a micro-controller. I figured learning ahead of time would be the ideal approach. After scouring the internet for the best/cheapest 8-bit editor, I came across Graphics Gale. There is a paid version of Graphics Gale, but I opted for the free version. The only difference appears to be the ability to animate your creations, a feature exclusive to the paid app. Otherwise, the editor contains a full roster of tools. Their aren't many tutorials on how to use Graphics Gale, but the UI is intuitive. I figured out most of it in an hour.

Developers such as achebit, pixels Huh, DYA games, HeartBeast, and Luis Zuno have some awesome tutorials and eye candy on their YouTube channels, so be sure to check them out! There is a noteworthy tutorial by a Duelyst developer that explains important concepts and terminology; however, the paid version of Graphics Gale is required to save the animation. I would still recommend beginners watch Duelyst Dev videos because the information is both professional and useful.

In a handful of days I learned how to make game worthy graphics. At some point I want to see if I can create cool animations instead of static images but that will have to wait. I'll get my chance with the end of semester project for sure!