Thanks for the reply. That samurai and sun art looks really cool, but overall, I don't think the styles are what my project is currently looking for. Thanks for your time
Real8e
Recent community posts
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.
I'm primarily looking for someone who can handle:
- Character sprite sheets and animation
- Enemy sprite sheets and animation
- Environment and background art
- Tilesets and environmental props
- Lighting-friendly environmental assets
- Doors, machinery, alien technology, architecture, etc.
- Occasional larger pixel-art illustrations or scene-specific assets
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 / roll
- 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
- 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, environments, animations, and visual ideas together, so I need someone who is reasonably responsive and comfortable discussing their work throughout the process.
Paid Work
This is a paid position.
I would initially like to start with a smaller paid test assignment, likely involving making some basic movements for Viktor (the game's protagonist). The purpose is to make sure the art style, animation quality, workflow, and communication are a good fit for both of us before committing to a much larger amount of 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
Hello, I'm a music composer and sound designer. I am definitely interested to hear more about the project. Can we chat on Discord? my name is "Real8e" on there. I am not sure if my music would be a good fit, but I am interested to chat about it regardless. Thanks for your time
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/game-music?si=4367756bf9eb44ae8d81444fffd0722...
How's it going. I do music and SFX (voice overs also if needed)
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/globular-demos
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/game-music-heavy-dark
The idea sounds interesting so far, but you would need a strong team. I know a great pixel artist from Brazil who could work remotely, if hired.
How are you? My name is Mark aka Real8e. I'd like to hear more about the game. Do you have any demos, concept art, etc?
In any case, here is some of my music for you to check out:
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/globular-demos?si=2640951246884c6a8baae02f046...
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/eternityalbum
Hello, everyone. My name is Mark aka Real8e (Reality). I am a music producer, Sound Designer, and Voice Over artist, looking for a meaningful project to sink my teeth in to. I am US Navy Veteran, 3 weeks away from finishing my degree in Audio Technology, so I will have plenty of free time to dedicate to a project.
I have been into music since I was a teenager, and I have worked on indie games before (I did SFX and trailers for Ember Knights - see below)
My voiceover work is limited to opportunity, but I still have demos and I practice weekly.
I also make electronic based music under the alias "Real8e", and have a duo project entitled "The 11th Labor".
I'm interested in working on cool, retro, pixel art games, RPG's being my favorite. I also love the "Metroidvania" types, Platformers, Dungeon Crawlers, Diablo-esque "Hack n Slash", etc.
I do not mind working for free up front, but if so, I will need a rev share written agreement.
I also have an hourly rate, depending on the type of work - Music, SFX, or Voice Overs, ranging from 30-50/hr, but I don't really care about the money. I do this because I love games and grew up on 90's RPGs.
I will not work with anyone who is not serious/professional. If you just have some cool ideas and nothing to show, I am not interested. I have already worked on several projects over the years that have been abandoned prematurely. I would rather avoid that, if possible.
Music Examples:
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/game-music?si=39732852d8794cf8b787c4c3defd24e...
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/globular-demos
Sound Design Examples:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkDfWFYe1rw32oxBjICViypZ4T0iGNoa9
Voice Over Examples:
Hello. My name is Mark. I do music production, sound design, Voice overs, etc. I am looking to build a small team for a project called "In Tobias' Shadow". A 2D metroidvania style game based in 1887, pixel art sprites, gothic art, alien themes, etc.
If you're interested for more information, add me on discord @Real8e
Thanks, have a good one 👍
Hello. My name is Mark. I do music production, sound design, Voice overs, etc. I am looking to build a small team for a project called "In Tobias' Shadow". A 2D metroidvania style game based in 1887, pixel art sprites, gothic art, alien themes, etc.
If you're interested for more information, add me on discord @Real8e
Thanks, have a good one 👍
Hello. My name is Mark. I do music production, sound design, Voice overs, etc. I am looking to build a small team for a project called "In Tobias' Shadow". A 2D metroidvania style game based in 1887, pixel art sprites, gothic art, alien themes, etc.
If you're interested for more information, add me on discord @Real8e
Thanks, have a good one 👍
Hello. My name is Mark. I do music production, sound design, Voice overs, etc. I am looking to build a small team for a project called "In Tobias' Shadow". A 2D metroidvania style game based in 1887, pixel art sprites, gothic art, alien themes, etc.
If you're interested for more information, add me on discord @Real8e
Thanks, have a good one 👍
Hello. My name is Mark. I do music production, sound design, Voice overs, etc. I am looking to build a small team for a project called "In Tobias' Shadow". A 2D metroidvania style game based in 1887, pixel art sprites, gothic art, alien themes, etc.
If you're interested for more information, add me on discord @Real8e
Thanks, have a good one 👍
Hello everyone, my name is Mark aka Real8e (Reality). I am a music producer/sound designer. I am also into Voice Acting and Writing.
*See my profile for examples of my work - https://real8e.itch.io/
I have a simple concept/story idea for a game called "In Tobias' Shadow" - it's a 2D pixel art "Metroidvania" game about a man (Victor), his 8 year old son (Tobias) and his deceased wife (Eleanor).
In 1887, Victor is with his son and they're carrying his wife's coffin by horse drawn carriage through a snowstorm. They discover a small town and must stop to avoid the blizzard. It is there that the mystery unfolds.
To read the full story, add me on Discord @ Real8e and I will send it to you
I need the following:
Designer/Programmer - Godot, Unity, etc. Whatever works best/most efficiently for the style of game
Animator
Level Designer
Concept Artist
Pixel Artist - I know a good pixel artist currently, but I am unsure if he is willing to work on this project, as he is busy.
Etc.
If interested, add me on Discord @Real8e to discuss further details.
Hello everyone, my name is Mark Paghi. (I make music under the alias Real8e aka Reality)
I've been into music since I was a teenager, (now 38) and I have been doing Music Production, Sound Design, and Voiceover work for about 4 years now. I am also currently finishing my Audio Tech degree.
My two favorite instruments are the Synth/Keyboard and Guitar. I grew up playing a lot of electric guitar - heavy metal mostly, but also rock/blues. Now I mostly write electronic based music of any genre - EDM, Heavy Electro, Chill-step, Ambient, Piano, etc.
My voiceover work is limited to the few times I've helped out on some game jams, and personal projects, but I would like to delve deeper into that and I have the passion, dedication, and talent to do it.
Here are some examples of my music:
1. Chill, Ambient, Piano, etc.
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/game-music?si=77443635cacf45b991912284497a947...
2. Heavy, Dark, Electro
https://soundcloud.com/real8e/sets/game-music-heavy-dark?si=f77254d515e84f36a5dc...
For my sound design: A few years ago I worked for a company called "Doom Turtle" based out of Canada. They used to make mobile games, but switched to PC. The game I worked on was called "Ember Knights". I came onto the project in the middle and finished it through.
The next project was their current game "Legends of Starkadia" - I did close to 100 SFX for that game before I had to leave my position due to health reasons. A lot of the sounds you will hear on that game were made by me, including monster voices like the gremlins, robots, etc.
I also did complete SFX for 3 Ember Knight trailers, along with an electronica beat inspired by the scenes:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkDfWFYe1rw32oxBjICViypZ4T0iGNoa9&si=RGIEi34w...