Pixel Artist Wanted for: "In Tobias’ Shadow" — 2D Metroidvania
I'm looking for a pixel artist/animator to help develop the visual identity of In Tobias’ Shadow, a dark atmospheric Metroidvania currently in development. If you cannot meet these requirements, please do not reply. Be honest.
This is Paid, yes, but more of a paid collaboration of sorts. I am looking for someone who genuinely wants to develop the main character and is interested in the theme/lore in general.
I'm primarily looking for someone who can handle:
- Character sprite sheets and animation
- Enemy sprite sheets and animation
The game combines a late-1800s gothic setting with alien/sci-fi elements, so I'm looking for an artist who can move between old architecture, underground environments, laboratories, alien technology, creatures, and humanoid characters without everything feeling like it came from a generic asset pack.
Art Direction
The goal is high-quality, detailed pixel art suitable for a professional Metroidvania.
References for the general level of quality would be games such as Blasphemous, Dead Cells, The Last Faith, and other modern high-end pixel-art games, although I'm developing my own visual identity rather than trying to copy any particular game. (No AI art)
Characters need to have strong silhouettes and smooth, readable animation. I'm especially interested in an artist who understands that a good sprite sheet isn't simply a collection of good-looking individual drawings—the proportions, positioning, timing, and movement need to remain consistent from frame to frame.
Animation Work
Characters and enemies will eventually require things such as:
- Idle
- Walk / run
- Jump / fall / land
- Turn
- "Dodge" (Slip Step)
- Attacks
- Blocking
- Hurt / death
- Interactions
- Special abilities
- Character-specific animations
There will also be more unusual animations for story moments and interactions as development progresses.
What I'm Looking For
I'd especially like to work with someone who:
- Has strong pixel-art fundamentals
- Can animate characters smoothly
- Maintains consistent proportions between frames
- Can work within exact sprite dimensions and grids
- Can interpret concept art and descriptions
- Is comfortable receiving detailed feedback
- Communicates reliably and daily
- Can provide progress updates during active work
- Is interested in developing a consistent visual style over time rather than just making isolated assets
Communication is extremely important to me. This is a project where we'll be iterating on characters, animations, and visual ideas together, so I need someone who is reasonably responsive and comfortable discussing their work throughout the process.
Paid Work
I would initially like to start with a smaller paid test assignment, making a static side view sprite for Viktor (the game's protagonist). The purpose is to make sure the art style, detail, quality, workflow, and communication are a good fit for both of us before committing to more work.
If we're a good fit, there is potentially a lot of ongoing work as the game develops.
Interested?
Please send me:
- Your portfolio
- Examples of character animation
- Examples of environment art, if applicable
- Your normal rates
- Your availability
- Your preferred method of communication
- Any shipped games or projects you've contributed to
