Pixel Art
for Games

Set the object's role in the game

Think about what the object will tell the player before you start drawing it. The box in the sample is a game presence that should be recognized as an open object and should be separated from the environment.

An interface icon, a decor object, and an interactive crate may require different levels of detail. You should consider visual size.

Match scale with other game assets

Identify the size of the character and the floor you think it is, and an object that looks beautiful alone can be very large or small on stage.

First set the silhouette. Simplify the pattern instead of adding tissue, unless the main parts, such as the cover, the body, and the lock are understood in a small size.

Remove interactive object from the environment

You can use warmer tones for wood, lighter emphasises for metal strips, and keep the main parts clear-source difference.

Apply the light direction of the scene to the object, instead of giving equal brightness to each surface, separate the top and side surfaces by tones.

Maintain position between situations

If you're going to make different situations like closed and open trunks, keep the base line and the canvas size the same, so that when the image changes, the object doesn't jump unnecessarily.

First draw two basic conditions; then add the interfaces. The visual file does not add interaction or animation behavior to the game alone.

Choose a PNG or sprite sheet export

For one object, use PNG · current square, all of PNG · squares to take multiple squares side by side. Make sure the transparency areas are really empty.

Check the filtering and scale settings in the game engine when importing the file. The precise setting name depends on the engine you use; softening can blur the pixel edges.

Frequently asked questions