What if Blade Runner were an arcade game?

In this pixel art concept-to-completion, I interpret the classic Cyberpunk-Noir film "Blade Runner" into an arcade game, inspired by the look of 'Ninja Commando' for the NEO•GEO. Throughout the creation of the mock-up, I share the workflow involved in creating character sprites, environmental designs and perspective, and a few finishing touches!

Music during artwork reveal: “Jet Cruiser” by Taytaytazer Music

Saultoons

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0:00 Introduction
0:50 Planning for the arcade look
1:56 Deckard sprite
5:13 HUD and Lettering
7:51 Portrait
9:00 Sidewalk and Road
10:29 Parking Meters
11:22 The Bradbury
15:40 Neon and glow effects
16:41 Leon Kowalski sprite
17:53 Rain
18:43 FINAL ARTWORK
19:22 Finishing Touches
20:08 CRT Time
20:55 VID OVER

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Check out my art here:

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Software used: Adobe Photoshop (CS6)
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Title sequence theme music by Failpositive:

Chiptune music by mcguy215/Concrete Castles:

Other music featured throughout this video was obtained from the Youtube Audio Library.

[bolson]

I love how well this pixel art style complements with the movie itself. The movie was made in the recent past which is about our present time (the future of the past), and the pixel art is a modern reimagining of the retro style from years before.

[dialog_box]

14:56 i'm sorry this is just magical to watch. my man just casually turns a flat blob into a perfectly believable 3D object with an intricate design so fast. i love it <3

[simonkemeid]

I love that you explain every little step you took. Your videos are invaluable for anyone interested in all the subtleties of creative process.

[lymx]

Pixel art + Blade runner = Perfection ! Love this piece

[svenhegenmusic]

~16:30 when you're working with blending modes, make sure to not use the opacity but the fill slider. the math behind those two is different and Fill usually results in a more pleasing way.

[Rynax-]

That was amazing! I didn't think CRT Time could get any more perfect, but then you added rain sounds! :D

[awizard]

i guess i must have missed this video when it came out, but this has to be my favorite piece you've done so far. every detail is so refined, you never fail to impress!

[gamedevmanti]

Great stuff! Love the grungy detailing, and how those extra blended glow layers really sell the neon atmosphere of the film.
It's also refreshing to see somebody going into more depth with a piece using more than a couple of colour steps. Most videos of art with this level of detail are usually silent timelapses with no narration.

[queueueueueueue]

This is amazing. I love seeing the glow lines/neon effects in the final image, really made it feel cyberpunk

[RhumpleOriginal]

I thought there was a limit to the love I have for your ideas. This was an overload

[SethKotta]

I'm really digging this. Now I want something Bubblegum Crisis inspired...

[toastsandwich]

This is amazing work, keep it up. I think it would be cool if you made a bob ross styled pixel art, let me know what you think

[mebamme]

This is the best thing you've made in a while. Love the color scheme!

[Holdsworthands]

dang one of your best works! it looks extra amazing on the crt, i specially love the way you rendered the pillars

[punolee]

That's so cool! I would love to see you do an Akira mockup!

[ChristopherAOBoyle]

Great piece and even greater video! Awesome work here can't wait to see more!

[j.vonhogen]

This is amazing! I'm really impressed by your talent! You must have a lot of experience and self-confidence to be able to screen capture the entire process from start to finish without making any mistake. Thanks a lot for the great video!

B.t.w. I loved that old point-and-click Blade Runner game, since it had the exact same atmosphere as in the movie, and it had the original Blade Runner music in the background. It somehow felt like an open world with all the famous locations from the movie featured in the game. It felt like an interactive movie.

[mateuszpatua]

omg 😍 I've never hit the notification so fast, I love Blade Runner (tbh, I didn't watch this movie until November 2019 - funnily enough, the action of the movie is set in November 2019 - I was pretty shocked when I'd learned that 🤯, cause I'd postponed watching it a few times, and now I'm waiting until 2049 to watch the sequel 😂😂)

[MatthewArringtonphoto]

Stunning work! As Blade Runner is one of my favorite films of all time, I’m a bit biased, but this is my favorite of your works so far! You really captured the ambiance and mood of the film and I love all of the little details from the Bradbury building and even the care you went into with the fonts. I would love to buy a print of this and hope that’s something you’ll put on your store soon. Also, I’d be interested to see your take on BR 2049 as well! Keep up the amazing work!

[brandonjacksoon]

Blade Runner - Awesome Movie! I agree with you, Brandon!
Always best youtube content,
Thank you!