Pixel Joint Forum: Retro Vs. Modern Pixel Art

Message

Hi Everyone!  New to the forums.  I'm a beginner with art, both pixel 
and otherwise. I have done a little bit, and even completed a couple 
games! You can check out my best yet here: 
http://archendrus.itch.io/protostriker-m

I've recently realized 
that I spend way more time studying and practicing programming and other
 technical aspects of game development, than I do with art or game 
design.  Looking to change that!  My first step is looking at lots and 
lots of pixel art.  

8-16 bit style pixel art has always appealed
 to me, but as I dig around I'm finding this "other" style that I really
 like as well.  I'm not sure if it even has a name so I've just been 
calling it "Modern" pixel art.  I was hoping some of you could help me 
to understand the differences between these two styles and what really 
makes one over the other.

Modern Style:

Retro Style:

I'm still learning, so some of my terminology may be off.  Major differences from what I can see: 
- Modern style (top) one is less detailed, but uses more colors per sprite
- Black outlines in retro style not present in modern style
- Modern colors are way less saturated
- Retro one sticks to a predefined palette, where to modern one's palette seems to be chosen as needed.

Some more examples:
Modern:

Retro:

All the differences as described above as well as:
- Use of dithering in the retro one vs no dithering in the modern one.
- More total colors in the modern one
- Pixels seem "chunkier" in the modern one? 
- Overall less shading, or simpler shading in the modern one.  

I've read a lot about 8-bit style "restrictions" when creating the game I linked above, such as sprite size, colors per sprite, colors per palette, and I think I pulled it off with some success.  But how would one go about creating something in this modern style?  Thanks for any replies!

Edited by Archendrus - 04 April 2015 at 7:59am

Author	Message
Archendrus Seaman Joined: 04 April 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Topic: Retro Vs. Modern Pixel Art Posted: 04 April 2015 at 7:58am
	Hi Everyone! New to the forums. I'm a beginner with art, both pixel and otherwise. I have done a little bit, and even completed a couple games! You can check out my best yet here: http://archendrus.itch.io/protostriker-m I've recently realized that I spend way more time studying and practicing programming and other technical aspects of game development, than I do with art or game design. Looking to change that! My first step is looking at lots and lots of pixel art. 8-16 bit style pixel art has always appealed to me, but as I dig around I'm finding this "other" style that I really like as well. I'm not sure if it even has a name so I've just been calling it "Modern" pixel art. I was hoping some of you could help me to understand the differences between these two styles and what really makes one over the other. Modern Style: Retro Style: I'm still learning, so some of my terminology may be off. Major differences from what I can see: - Modern style (top) one is less detailed, but uses more colors per sprite - Black outlines in retro style not present in modern style - Modern colors are way less saturated - Retro one sticks to a predefined palette, where to modern one's palette seems to be chosen as needed. Some more examples: Modern: Retro: All the differences as described above as well as: - Use of dithering in the retro one vs no dithering in the modern one. - More total colors in the modern one - Pixels seem "chunkier" in the modern one? - Overall less shading, or simpler shading in the modern one. I've read a lot about 8-bit style "restrictions" when creating the game I linked above, such as sprite size, colors per sprite, colors per palette, and I think I pulled it off with some success. But how would one go about creating something in this modern style? Thanks for any replies! Edited by Archendrus - 04 April 2015 at 7:59am
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yrizoud Commander Joined: 03 May 2021 Location: France Online Status: Offline Posts: 342	Posted: 04 April 2015 at 3:59pm
	What you call modern style seems to be low-resolution with basically unlimited colors, relies mostly on strong flat colors (antialiasing and subpixelling seem to be kept at a minimum). For a game in this style, you have a challenge of keeping the characters readable, because they will naturally blend a lot on backgrounds.
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Archendrus Seaman Joined: 04 April 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 06 April 2015 at 7:29pm
	Gotcha. I love traditional pixel art, but that style is really striking and seems to be pretty popular lately: Hyper Light Drifter: Titan Souls: Wanderer: (There's something else going on with this style that I can't put my finger on) Edited by Archendrus - 06 April 2015 at 7:32pm
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Lone Scout Seaman Joined: 06 May 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 07 April 2015 at 5:58pm
	I find that the modern style requires a lot of skill to actually pull off. I feel as if that retro style should be used more for games because of the necessity of making all game elements readable - the modern style being better for art pieces because of their unique elements.
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Hapiel Rear Admiral Joined: 14 April 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3263	Posted: 10 April 2015 at 4:30am
	Nice observations! This modern style indeed seems to be the result of low resolutions and high colors!
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Orzie Seaman Joined: 22 April 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 24 April 2015 at 8:49am
	For me, the preferable pixel style contains no dithering and rich details on the every inch of the picture, with bright contrasts and specific gamma. But I guess many people here won't call it pixel art lol.
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