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I'm starting a game studio focused on developing hand-drawn dark-themed Metroidvania games, inspired by titles like Hollow Knight. I'm looking for a partner or co-founder who is an expert in 2D hand-drawn art. The ideal candidate should be able to handle and manage the entire art section of our projects. Key responsibilities include: - Overseeing and creating high-quality 2D hand-drawn art - Managing character design, environment design, and animation The perfect partner should have: - Proven experience in 2D hand-drawn art, particularly with a dark theme - Strong portfolio showcasing similar art styles - Experience in game development, especially in Metroidvania genre - Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively -A mindset to work on long projects (1-3 years of developing) There is a photo that describes the art style I target. If you're passionate about art and games and want to help build something great, I'd love to hear from you!
Project ID: 40499319
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55 freelancers are bidding on average $32 USD/hour for this job

Hi I will design a Professional, high-impact academic poster with a guaranteed same-day turnaround, combining clean data-driven layouts, sophisticated typography, and perfectly balanced visual hierarchy to ensure your research stands out and communicates your data flawlessly. Tejal
$30 USD in 40 days
8.6
8.6

Hello, I can help you build a strong visual foundation for your game studio by focusing on the art direction. My plan is to create a cohesive art style that resonates with the dark themes you want. I’ll start by developing character designs and environments that not only look great but also enhance the gameplay experience. I approach art with a mindset of storytelling; each character and scene should convey emotion and atmosphere that draws players in. In my previous work with a similar indie game, I led the art team to develop a unique style that captured the essence of the narrative. This resulted in a 30% increase in player engagement during testing, which was a significant boost for the project. What outcome are you really hoping to see from this? Ramandeep K.
$38 USD in 40 days
8.0
8.0

Dear , We carefully studied the description of your project and we can confirm that we understand your needs and are also interested in your project. Our team has the necessary resources to start your project as soon as possible and complete it in a very short time. We are 25 years in this business and our technical specialists have strong experience in Graphic Design, Game Design, Animation, Illustration, Caricature & Cartoons, Game Development, 2D Animation, 2D Game Art, 2D Drawing, 2D Layout and other technologies relevant to your project. Please, review our profile https://www.freelancer.com/u/tangramua where you can find detailed information about our company, our portfolio, and the client's recent reviews. Please contact us via Freelancer Chat to discuss your project in details. Best regards, Sales department Tangram Canada Inc.
$30 USD in 5 days
8.0
8.0

Hi, Your vision of building a dark, hand drawn Metroidvania inspired by games like Hollow Knight sounds incredibly exciting. While many artists focus only on assets, I understand you're looking for someone committed to the long term who can take ownership of the entire art direction, from character design and environments to animations and visual consistency. I have experience creating detailed 2D artwork, game assets, and immersive visual styles, with a strong appreciation for atmospheric, dark themed worlds. I enjoy collaborative development and understand the dedication required for multi year game projects. You can view my portfolio here: https://www.freelancer.com/u/Humaumair12 I'm interested in learning more about the game's world, lore, and long term vision, and would be happy to discuss how the art pipeline could be structured for efficient development. Warm Regards, Huma
$38 USD in 40 days
7.7
7.7

Hi there, I am capable of handling full 2D hand-drawn art production for a game studio, covering dark themed character creation, environment design, and animation, while collaborating closely on long term Metroidvania game development from concept to execution. I have strong skills in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and other design tools, And the best part is that I keep working until my clients are fully happy with the results. You can view a similar project in my portfolio here: https://www.freelancer.com/u/humartist101 Thanks & Regards, Humayo.
$25 USD in 24 days
6.8
6.8

Hello, I have carefully reviewed your requirements and understand you are looking for a long-term partner with strong expertise in hand-drawn 2D art to help build a dark-themed Metroidvania inspired by games like Hollow Knight. At pasngames, we have an experienced in-house art and development team specializing in 2D game art, character design, environment creation, animation, and indie game production. We understand the commitment required for long-term projects and can contribute from concept development through production and release. You will get: Quality optimized work 100% client satisfaction Fast delivery Suitable pricing Unlimited revisions Complete NDA & IP protection (project security is our top priority) Estimated delivery You will receive high-quality hand-drawn artwork, character and environment designs, animation support, organized production workflows, and a dedicated long-term partnership focused on bringing your Metroidvania vision to life. Come inbox & I will share relevant 2D art and game development portfolio projects. Let’s get started. Best regards, Sohaib Pasn Games
$38 USD in 40 days
6.7
6.7

Hello, We are a full creative team with more than 10 years of experience in game art, illustration, and visual development. Our team has extensive expertise in creating hand-drawn 2D assets, character design, environments, and animations for atmospheric and story-driven games. We are passionate about dark fantasy aesthetics and understand the artistic depth required for Metroidvania titles inspired by games such as Hollow Knight. Our focus is on delivering cohesive visual worlds, memorable characters, and fluid animations that support immersive gameplay experiences. With experience in long-term creative projects, we value collaboration, clear communication, and maintaining a consistent artistic vision throughout development. We are committed to building high-quality games and are fully prepared to contribute to the art direction and management of your project over the long term. We look forward to discussing your vision and becoming part of something truly memorable.
$25 USD in 40 days
6.9
6.9

Hi, I’ve reviewed the project details and, before jumping to solutions, I’d like to understand a few things about how you expect the final outcome to work in practice. One thing I’ve learned from similar projects is that the success of a project usually depends more on understanding the workflow and expectations correctly than on the actual implementation. I have some initial thoughts and a few questions that may help identify potential challenges early and avoid unnecessary revisions later. If you're available for a quick discussion, I'd be happy to share them. Looking forward to hearing more about your project. Shiv,
$38 USD in 40 days
6.4
6.4

Greetings! I can manage character design, environment design, and animation. I have experience in long term game projects. I am available as a partner or co founder. Send your game design doc and reference image. Thanks, Revival
$25 USD in 40 days
6.0
6.0

Hello, I'm excited about the prospect of joining your game studio as a 2D art co-founder, especially given your focus on hand-drawn dark-themed Metroidvania games inspired by titles like Hollow Knight. My experience in graphic design, illustration, caricature & cartoons, and 2D game art equips me to create and manage high-quality, cohesive visuals that fit your unique aesthetic. I can oversee character and environment design, ensuring each piece aligns with the dark theme and enhances the immersive experience of your game. My expertise in 2D animation combined with my skill in visual storytelling will allow me to contribute effectively to long-term projects, maintaining consistency and quality over 1-3 years. I'd love to understand more about your specific art style preferences and how I can align my work with your vision. What innovative approaches do you envision to bring a distinct, immersive aesthetic to your game's dark theme? Thanks, Gourav
$25 USD in 20 days
4.7
4.7

I JUST COMPLETED A SIMILAR PROJECT. I have just designed intricate hand-drawn art for a dark-themed Metroidvania game, ensuring a captivating visual experience. The main result you want is exceptional 2D hand-drawn art that brings your game world to life. From the brief, I noticed the focus on character design and environment creation, along with the importance of maintaining a consistent dark theme throughout. People often overlook the importance of optimizing art assets for different screen resolutions in such projects. REACH OUT FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, WORST CASE YOU WALK AWAY WITH FREE ADVICE. Regards, Stefan.
$29 USD in 40 days
4.5
4.5

Your vision for a dark-themed Metroidvania strongly resonates with my passion for crafting atmospheric 2D worlds, similar to the intricate detail and mood found in Hollow Knight. I excel at translating narrative themes into compelling visual experiences, from evocative character silhouettes to richly layered environments. My portfolio showcases a consistent ability to deliver distinct artistic styles that enhance gameplay immersion. My technical approach centers on a streamlined pipeline optimized for efficiency and quality. I utilize a combination of Procreate for initial sketching and concepting, Photoshop for detailed asset creation and texturing, and Spine 2D for efficient skeletal animation. For environmental design, I employ a tile-based system integrated with parallax scrolling to achieve depth and dynamism. My process involves iterative concepting, asset breakdown for animation, and rigorous style guide adherence to ensure project cohesion. To ensure our artistic direction is perfectly aligned, could you elaborate on your preferred workflow for collaborative art direction and feedback? I'm eager to discuss how my expertise can directly contribute to bringing your Metroidvania to life. Let's schedule a quick chat to explore this exciting opportunity further.
$39 USD in 7 days
4.2
4.2

In a game studio emanating eerie vibes, dark fantasy is an art requiring meticulous attention to detail rewarding the players with immersive experience. Being well-versed in various disciplines of design and animation I come with a robust supply of proficiencies that make me the right candidate for the job. With years of experience in 2D artistry across different platforms and having engaged with the gaming industry, I understand and appreciate the essence of hand-drawn art within metroidvania games. Strategically managing all aspects of art from character design to environment layout comes second nature to me.
$25 USD in 2 days
4.6
4.6

Hello,
$38 USD in 40 days
3.7
3.7

⭐ I handled a similar project ⭐, Happy to show you what works before you commit. I created a complete suite of 2D hand-drawn art assets tailored to the dark-themed Metroidvania genre, aligning perfectly with your studio's vision. In perfect alignment with your project needs, my experience in crafting immersive dark-themed 2D art sets me apart for this role. Understanding the project's essence of dark-themed Metroidvania games, my expertise lies in creating captivating and atmospheric art. My specialization focuses on delivering top-tier performance, robust security measures, and ensuring a seamless user experience to enhance player engagement. Worst case, you walk away with a free consultation and a clearer understanding of your project. Kind regards, Curtley
$34 USD in 7 days
3.9
3.9

Hi! Thank you for sharing this opportunity. After reading through the requirements, I want to be transparent — I don't have specific experience in game development or the Metroidvania genre, so I wouldn't be the right fit for this co-founder role. That said, if you ever need a 2D animator for your project — whether for cutscenes, character animation, or any animated content — I'd love to be considered. You can check my work at @bunnyfication or feel free to reach out anytime. Wishing you the best with the studio!
$38 USD in 40 days
1.8
1.8

hello i have reviewed your game studio opportunity and i understand you are looking for someone who can take ownership of the visual direction and art production for a dark themed hand drawn metroidvania project over the long term the atmosphere and quality of games like hollow knight come from consistent art direction and strong collaboration between design art and gameplay and i understand the importance of maintaining that vision throughout development i have experience working on game projects that require detailed character design environment creation animation workflows and asset organization and i am comfortable contributing not only as an artist but also as a long term creative partner invested in the success of the studio i would be interested in reviewing the reference artwork and discussing the scope roadmap and creative vision to see how we can build a cohesive visual identity that supports the gameplay and world you are creating available for a long term commitment and excited to learn more about the project
$38 USD in 40 days
0.9
0.9

⭕Hello, Client⭕ As a Full-Stack Developer and automation specialist, I bring a unique skill set that can significantly complement your ideal candidate profile. Over the years, my work has involved connecting various tools and systems to improve operational efficiencies and automate complex workflows. By integrating this experience into game development, particularly in 2D hand-drawn art, I have a lot to offer to your studio. What sets me apart is not only my technical skills but also my mindset towards building solutions - an "automation-first" approach. I don't just connect tools; I focus on eliminating manual work and streamlining processes for long-term sustainability - a crucial aspect in any 1-3 year developing projects. Collaboration and communication are at the forefront of my work style, ensuring we stay aligned every step of the way. While dark-themed Metroidvania is not entirely what I’ve done before, my adaption skills are exemplary. Rest assured, with access to references similar to the art style you target, I have no doubt about my ability to create high-quality 2D hand-drawn art that will significantly contribute to your game studio’s vision. Let's build great games together! Best Regards
$25 USD in 25 days
0.0
0.0

Hi, Great games are built on strong visuals, creativity, and a shared vision. As an experienced 2D artist with 10+ years in illustration, character design, concept art, and visual storytelling, I can help shape the artistic direction of your game while creating high-quality assets that bring the world and characters to life. I enjoy collaborating on long-term creative projects and would love to learn more about your studio, vision, and future plans. Looking forward to discussing how I can contribute to the team. Best regards, Diksha L.
$25 USD in 1 day
0.0
0.0

YOU DON'T LIKE, YOU DON'T PAY. I would be an excellent fit for your project based on the quality and results you are looking to achieve. Your search for a 2D hand-drawn art expert for your dark-themed Metroidvania game studio aligns perfectly with my skills. With a focus on modern and polished art, I excel in creating immersive environments and captivating character designs. My experience in game development and understanding of the Metroidvania genre ensure that I can deliver the artistic vision your project demands. While I am new to Freelancer, I have tons of experience and have done other projects off site. I look forward to discussing this project with you further. Regards, Raees Miller
$38 USD in 7 days
0.0
0.0

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