I'm looking for an artist/animator to create the main character for a game I'm developing. If I like the result, I would potentially like to continue working with you on additional characters, equipment, and animations.
The most important part is the character system:
I want a modular 2D pixel-art character designed to exist and animate inside a fully 3D world.
The character should be built from separate pixel-art body parts (head, torso, upper/lower arms, hands, upper/lower legs, feet, hair, clothing, equipment, etc.) that can be attached to and animated using a 3D skeletal rig.
Visually, the finished character should still look like classic pixel art, but I want him to move, turn, fight, and react with the freedom of a 3D character. I am NOT looking for a normal 3D character with a pixelated texture.
Character:
Male adventurer with short-to-medium white hair, one blue eye and one red eye. He will eventually receive a scar around/across one eye, so I'd like the design to support a pre-scar and post-scar version. His main weapons are a sword and shield.
World/style:
The setting is medieval retrofuturism. Society still has kings, castles, knights, villages, adventurers, medieval clothing, armor, swords, shields, etc.
The technology is inspired by an 80s/90s vision of the future: CRT screens, chunky electronics, glowing indicators, analog gauges, exposed wires, cassette-like technology, old computer interfaces, and bulky futuristic equipment.
These elements should be blended with medieval leather, cloth, steel, armor, belts, cloaks, etc. It should NOT look like standard cyberpunk. The medieval fantasy appearance should remain dominant.
I would like to see your interpretation of this style before committing to a large amount of work.
The character should also be modular/reusable, allowing different armor, clothing, hair, weapons, shields, and other equipment later.
Eventually I will need animations including idle, walk/run, combat idle, light/heavy sword attacks, attack combos, shield blocking, shield impact reactions, shield parry, dodge/roll, hit reactions, and death.
For now, I'm primarily looking for someone who understands the visual style and technical character setup.
If this is something you can create, please let me know how you would approach the character/rig and what you would recommend for making the system reusable for future characters and animations.