Our involvement with Tiny Vikings was a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in a world of miniature Norse heroes embarking on grand adventures on Steam. From the very beginning, Christian, our CEO, served as the Art Director for this charming project, personally sketching many of the initial character and world designs and providing feedback on all art assets throughout development.
All of the initial art for Tiny Vikings was created by the Game Art Brain team, establishing the core visual style of the game. This comprehensive base set included all the 2D concepts for the diverse locations – from the cozy longhouses of their village to the mysterious forests, icy landscapes they traversed, and even the majestic realm of Asgard. Our 2D environments were meticulously crafted to be both visually appealing and to effectively set the scene for their adventures. We paid close attention to color palettes, atmospheric details, and overall composition to create a world that felt both inviting and exciting to explore. We also developed the initial 2D character and creature concepts, bringing the quirky personalities of the tiny Vikings to life with distinct visual identities that reflected their individual traits and roles. We explored a range of styles, aiming for a balance between cuteness, charm, and a touch of Viking ruggedness. These foundational 2D concepts then informed the creation of the final 3D game world. We focused on creating models that were faithful to the original 2D concepts while also leveraging the capabilities of 3D to add detail and dynamic visual interest. Our goal with the 3D work was to complement the initial 2D art style, creating a cohesive and visually appealing world that players could truly immerse themselves in on Steam.
The success of Tiny Vikings stands as a testament to the power of early and deep collaboration. By involving Game Art Brain from the project’s inception, allowing our team to immerse ourselves creatively and contribute to the foundational art direction and asset creation, we were able to deliver a cohesive and visually engaging experience. This level of integration ensures that our creativity is channeled effectively, fostering a sense of ownership and ultimately leading to richer and more impactful results for the project. We believe that when we are truly invested in a project from the ground up, the passion and dedication translate directly into the quality of the final game.