Update: This was a previously closed position which has re-opened. You will be working alongside myself and another artist to complete the work in a timely manner (though there is currently no "deadline" on the work). By timely I mean please be available to make at least 2 updates every week.

Hello everyone. I am seeking a pixel artist for a paid position to create character and background graphics for a top-down game heavily inspired by Earthbound - in the sense of graphics, humor, and style. The game is tentatively titled 'Fragment'.

I've uploaded a playable version that includes examples of characters and backgrounds - please note that this is super rough and is basically an alpha, if that. You can download it here;

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/todzpgm16pp1pnr/AAArZY3Wc4yVZwMJ-uhQf09xa?dl=0

I hesitate to call the game an RPG, as there is no traditional combat system, turn-based or otherwise, but the game plays more like an interactive storybook. To add interest, the characters learn a variety of Psychokinesis abilities, such as a the ability to put people to sleep, generate fire, ice and lighting, and move objects with their mind, that are used to complete puzzles and explore the environments.

The story is at first seemingly innocent and storybook, but there are some very dark and mature themes buried underneath, not unlike Earthbound. The game starts with the main character Timothy befriending an alien, Gus, that has landed on Earth. Gus' species are not born with a consciousness of their own, but rather develop an identity through spending time with and experiencing human emotions. He decides to tag along with Timothy, as Timothy sets on an adventure to find his estranged father. Along the way, they befriend a tomboy girl who's the daughter of a wealthy businessman, and a young aboriginal boy that is desperately trying to reconnect with his lost and forgotten culture.

Please note the game can get very weird at times. I especially want the locales to get very weird, for example, the towns are themed, such as a town being built completely in an underground subway and another town that's a series of interconnected skyscrapers. One of the main characters is an alien that derives his conscious and personality from spending time with humans. At one point in the story, the main characters tour with a grungy indie-band who spend an inordinate amount of time talking about how long they've been wearing the same pair of underwear while touring.

I can either pay by the hour, OR per complete character/background, OR per complete individual frame/tile. Before we proceed, I will ask to create an individual piece first, and I will of course pay you for this. No hard feelings, but if I feel the skill level is not at a level where I am comfortable with for proceeding to the finished product, then I will respectably thank you for your time and say good bye. I am a pixel artist myself and highly encourage all applicants to be honest about their skill level before applying. If you are not close or cannot match at least the level presented in the playable alpha, please reconsider applying. If I am happy with the individual piece I've first ask you to create, we will agree on a pricing chart before proceeding with other animations.

Characters and background requirements are outlined below;

Character set Animated Walking - Roughly 48x48, 3 directions, N, E, S.
Character set Animated Talking - Roughly 48x48, 3 directions, N, E, S.
Background set - individual tiles are 48x48, with a full tile set at 384x768.

Please note, the original art is created by myself - both characters and backgrounds. I am by no means an exceptionally talented pixel artist, but expect that changes will occur to the finished pieces to better align with my vision. I may offer a 'starter' piece for the artist to continue to work on or complete, and will offer 'inspiration' images to give the artist an idea of what I am going for. I am a classically trained artist and illustrator, and am taking a director role in the project - so I definitely know what I am looking for and want in the finished product. Feedback is always appreciated, but I wanted to make this disclaimer because I have worked with artists in the past that have disagreed with my direction and it caused friction and delays in the art creation process.

I will be selling the game commercially, and am paying for the finished pixel art. You will be credited in the game, the pieces can be utilized online and in your portfolio, and I will not be offering commission on game sales.

For those interested, please reply in this thread, send me a private message on here, or email me directly at sonicreaper@hotmail.com. Thanks everyone for reading and for your interest in the project!