Posted June 19, 2023 by dincturk
The original idea for this game was actually a 2.5D experience, but considering my limited skills and budget, I had to explore other options. While I wasn't fully sold on a straight 2D style, pixel art felt like the perfect fit.
To bring Ishak to life, I turned to digital tools like Procreate, Pixaki, and Aseprite. I started sketching and experimenting, trying to find the perfect balance between a captivating design and staying true to the gritty aesthetics of a Bloodborne-inspired 2D prototype.
At first, the character looked a bit too funny and sympathetic, which didn't align with the dark and intense atmosphere I wanted to create. I wanted Ishak to be intriguing, not cute. That's when I decided to seek help from a talented pixel artist named Majorbee.
Together, we explored different iterations. Majorbee created three versions: number 1 felt a bit generic, number 3 was too humorous, but number 2 struck the right chord. I made some additional tweaks to the character to fine-tune his appearance.
One of the challenges I faced was deciding on the eyes. Without eyes, the character lacked personality, but with eyes, he became overly comical. After much contemplation, I settled on a design that struck the right balance.
And this was the final design:
Now, let's talk about Ishak's clothes and overall appearance. During my research, I came across archives of the Banque Impériale Ottomane, where I found some intriguing references.
In my quest to bring Ishak to life, I stumbled upon some fascinating historical photographs that served as additional sources of inspiration. These images helped me shape Ishak's style, adding depth and detail to his overall design.
And finally, I found Ishak. This was Ishak for me, just missing a fez:
Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to breathe life into Ishak's world. I'm thrilled to share this journey with you as I craft an unforgettable beginner development experience.