Pixel Tilesets!

From the 24th to the 31st of August 2025,

Create one tileset for a sidescroller, seen directly from the front.

To aid you in this quest, upon you are offered the following:

a map to aid you on your way

words of wisdom to avoid you pain

a humble bird, who offers company and-
It seems the bird is gone...

but has left you a collections of herbs and spices, along with a letter:

"Between bricks on the road, or in a forgotten closet,
You might come across something unusual
Little people, no taller than a thumb, drinking dew from thimbles
Show them the courtesy of acknowledging them in your travels."

Upon completion, present your findings and proof of your involvement.

Adventurers, even of mantels untested are encouraged to participate, 

for pride, honour, and the chance to sway the whims of fate!

Requirements:

• 16x16px
• No or minimal perspective on the tiles themselves.
• The submitter's original creation.
• A strong attempt at making the tileset be functional.
• Submission should include
  • the tileset
  • a sample scene/level created with it
• No AI, as it defeats the jam's purpose.
• No NSFW.
• Be a decent human being, don't hurt others.

Resources:  

• A template you can use if you so wish https://opengameart.org/content/sidescroller-tileset-template
• A basic written guide on how to make your first tileset! https://www.sandromaglione.com/articles/how-to-create-a-pixel-art-tileset-complete-guide
  
• An optional palette https://lospec.com/palette-list/herbs-n-spices
• A theme, also optional: Little people. Will your tileset be a gigantic shelf? Tiny appartments for mice and faeries? Your favourite dessert? A seemingly tiny town you try not to squish?
  • Some inspirations include arrietty, thumbelina, and The Minish Cap

Votes & prize

• Winner gets to choose the next jam's theme, colour palette, format, or a restriction, within reason.
• Only submitters can vote.
• Voting lasts three days!
• Voting is inherently subjective as we all value different things. Take them with a grain of salt!

Examples

     

Credits/Image Sources

• Buch - A platformer in the forest - https://opengameart.org/users/buch
• Matriax - https://opengameart.org/content/inca-tileset- https://opengameart.org/users/matriax
• Gustavo Saraiva - https://opengameart.org/content/dungeon-tileset-16x16-in-6-color - https://opengameart.org/users/gustavo-saraiva
• KnoblePersona - https://opengameart.org/content/sandstone-brick-connecting-tileset-16x16 - https://opengameart.org/users/knoblepersona
  
•  https://opengameart.org/content/8x6-seamless-tileset-platformer-template-with-ex...