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The Number One Educational Resource for the Game Industry

Session Name: The Art of 'FAITH': Horror at 192x160 Pixels
Speaker(s): Mason Smith
Company Name(s): Airdorf Games
Track / Format: Design

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Overview: 'FAITH' is a 2017 pixel horror game by Airdorf Games that began with a simple question: Can you create a compelling horrorgame experience using only basic graphics? Could a game that looks like 'Number Munchers' (1988) feel like 'P.T'. (2014)? A "retrograde" aesthetic was chosen for 'FAITH', inspired by the classic era of MS-DOS, Atari 2600, Apple II, and ZX Spectrum games. In this talk, indie game developer Mason Smith of Airdorf Games explains the decisions and principles that contributed to the art style of 'FAITH'. He also explains why its rudimentary art style helped create a unique horror experience that was featured in IGN's list of "Best Horror Games of 2017".

GDC 2019

Mason Smith

Airdorf Games

free content

Design

Design