The original idea for this game was actually a 2.5D experience, but considering my limited skills and budget, I had to explore other options. While I wasn't fully sold on a straight 2D style, pixel art felt like the perfect fit.

I had made some initial sketches for the main character, Ishak, but it took some time to arrive at the final version that truly captured his essence.

To bring Ishak to life, I turned to digital tools like Procreate, Pixaki, and Aseprite. I started sketching and experimenting, trying to find the perfect balance between a captivating design and staying true to the gritty aesthetics of a Bloodborne-inspired 2D prototype.

At first, the character looked a bit too funny and sympathetic, which didn't align with the dark and intense atmosphere I wanted to create. I wanted Ishak to be intriguing, not cute. That's when I decided to seek help from a talented pixel artist named Majorbee.

Together, we explored different iterations. Majorbee created three versions: number 1 felt a bit generic, number 3 was too humorous, but number 2 struck the right chord. I made some additional tweaks to the character to fine-tune his appearance.

One of the challenges I faced was deciding on the eyes. Without eyes, the character lacked personality, but with eyes, he became overly comical. After much contemplation, I settled on a design that struck the right balance.

And this was the final design:

Now, let's talk about Ishak's clothes and overall appearance. During my research, I came across archives of the Banque Impériale Ottomane, where I found some intriguing references.

In my quest to bring Ishak to life, I stumbled upon some fascinating historical photographs that served as additional sources of inspiration. These images helped me shape Ishak's style, adding depth and detail to his overall design.

And finally, I found Ishak. This was Ishak for me, just missing a fez:

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to breathe life into Ishak's world. I'm thrilled to share this journey with you as I craft an unforgettable beginner development experience.