itch.io

Can you import these layered 32×32 NPCs into your engine?

I’m testing the usability of a small character tool and would appreciate feedback from developers working on top-down 2D games.

The free sampler contains four characters with walking and idle animations in four directions, plus separate PNG layers for clothing, hair and other elements.

Project and free sampler: https://betterbasis.itch.io/npc-sprite-studio-layered-32px

If you have a few minutes, could you try importing one character and tell me:

1. Which engine did you use?
2. Did the animation frames and separate layers align correctly?
3. What would prevent you from using these characters in a prototype?

A screenshot of any import problem would be especially helpful. No purchase is needed to test the sampler.

Disclosure: I’m the creator. AI assisted the code and procedural graphics.

Hi everyone — I’ve released NPC Sprite Studio, an offline tool for creating layered 32×32 characters for top-down games.

The focus is changing a character’s appearance while keeping animation frames aligned. Customize hair, clothing, headwear, accessories, and colors, then export combined sprite sheets or separate PNG layers.

You can try four free characters before buying. The downloadable sampler includes walking and idle animations, separate layers, and a layer-swap preview. The included license allows personal and commercial game use.

The full edition is $9 and includes the generator, 12 editable presets, PNG/JSON exports, and batch export. It runs locally in your desktop browser after downloading and unzipping.

AI assisted development of the code and procedural graphics; the tool does not call an AI service.

Get the free sampler and see the full tool: https://betterbasis.itch.io/npc-sprite-studio-layered-32px

If you test the assets, I’d appreciate feedback on importing and combining the layers in your engine.

Indie Game Profit PlannerI’ve just released Indie Game Profit Planner, a small offline tool for indie developers who want to understand the business side of a game without building a spreadsheet.

It calculates what you actually keep per paid copy, cash break-even, economic break-even including the value of your development time, low/base/high launch scenarios, and Actual vs Plan after release.

It runs locally in your browser, requires no account or subscription, and costs $7 as a one-time purchase.

I’d especially appreciate feedback from indie developers on whether the distinction between cash break-even and full economic break-even is useful in real projects.