Budget: $150
E-mail: johnnyoneal@gmail.com

Thanks to the Pixel Joint community for helping me get an upcoming game project off the ground! In June I posted looking for some sprite work (original post) and received some great responses. I've worked with several artists and gotten some great character artwork. But now I need some backgrounds!

What I'm Looking For

I am looking for one artist to create four backgrounds for a total of $150. The required delivery format for each background is a layered PSD file 100 pixels tall and at least 690 pixels wide.

The backgrounds are for a side-scrolling dungeon designed to accommodate characters who are about 26 pixels tall. The goal is to end up with something that looks better than the following examples, but I'm providing these to give a sense of overall setting a color schemes:

"Fighter" level: rocky cave with brown color scheme


"Thief" level: castle interior with dark grays and blacks


"Cleric" level: crumbling temple interior with light grays


"Mage" level: wizard's tower interior with blue highlights


Note that I'm not looking for true level design, just some modular elements that my team can use to build scenes. Each "level" should include:

• A floor, background wall, and ceiling.
  
  
• A pit or pool (as shown in the thief and mage examples).
  
  
• Platforms about halfway up the walls (as shown in the fighter example).
  
  
• A wall feature, such as a torch or window.
  
  
• A couple of miscellaneous features (such as a door, a cave entrance, or statue).
  

I will work closely with the selected artist to answer any questions.

Style to Match

As you can see, the above examples range in style and quality, and none of them is quite up to par. The goal is to end up with backgrounds that use no more than 8-12 colors, with a SNES-era style that matches the following sprites:



The above sprites are just a few examples of the sprites that will appear in this game. Any background design work needs to look good with these sprites, both in style and sizing.

Artist Requirements

I'm happy working with artists of any age or experience level, but the following requirements are important:

• Able to provide layered PSD files.
  
  
• Able to accept payment via PayPal.
  
  
• Willing to tell me your real name, so your work can be credited.


• Ready to accept direction via e-mail, and be at least okay at English. :)


• Willing for me to make one round of comments (which means you make one round of edits).


• Willing to share examples of your past work, even if it's just your DeviantArt page.


• You must submit one example (see below).

If you're interested, please PM or e-mail me. I will ask that you create a 52x52 square of background inspired by one of the four "levels" above. You can choose to do a repeating wall tile or a bit of wall surrounding a specific feature (like a platform). Whatever you think will best show off your skills!

Based on your portfolio and the submitted example (both are important), I will make my choice. Once we've started working together, I will pay according to basic project milestones (25% upfront, 50% at first-round delivery, and 100% at final version that incorporates any comments).

About Me

I am a professional game and toy developer, but this is my first personal project and my first overall foray into pixel art. This project is proceeding well and will be released this year. I have worked with several artists on these boards, any of whom can vouch for the fact that I pay promptly. Please e-mail me if you have any questions or comments!