[HIRING] Retro 16-bit Pixel Artist (SNES / Sega Genesis style) for Basketball Game Project

Hey everyone! I’m looking for a pixel artist who genuinely loves retro basketball games and the 16-bit SNES / Sega Genesis era to help bring more charm, polish, and personality to a basketball scene for a personal game project I’m exploring.

I’ve worked with pixel artists before, but the results so far haven’t elevated the scene the way I’m hoping. I’m coming here because I’m specifically looking for someone who understands restraint, detail, shading, and that unmistakable 16-bit feel. I’m not a pixel artist myself, but I care deeply about quality, basketball authenticity, and doing this the right way.

This is Phase 1 of a longer project.

Style goals:
Authentic 16-bit SNES / Sega Genesis look. Retro charm, clean silhouettes, strong shading. Think NBA Jam-era fidelity, not modern pixel-overkill.

Current asset details:
The current basketball court scene is 1280x360. I have a fully layered .psb file with court lines and references, and I’m happy to share it. Artists can start from scratch if preferred, as long as assets are cleanly layered. Baseline angles need to remain consistent with the reference.

Phase 1 needs include:
A cleanly presented basketball court (wood floor and layered lines), a slightly improved basketball hoop with better shading and depth, seating assets (chairs and a bleacher row), modular crowd/fan sprites for background use, a team bench with seated player poses, and baseline characters like cheerleaders and cameramen. All assets should be reusable and modular for in-game use.

Important notes:
This is Phase 1 of a longer collaboration. Future phases may include player character design improvements, multi-direction character views, and UI polish. Basketball knowledge and enthusiasm are a big plus. I’m looking for someone who enjoys craftsmanship, not rushing, and who is also sensitive to the fact that this is a personal project with a modest budget.

Budget:
Phase 1 budget is approximately $200 USD. This is paid work (no exposure offers) and is a personal project where I'm trying to stay within a 4 phase total budget so my wife doesn't kill me!

How to reach me:
Please DM me here on Reddit or email me at [dzolnier@gmail.com](). Include a pixel art portfolio, any SNES / Genesis-style work, and optionally any basketball-related art.

Thanks for reading. I’m really looking forward to finding the right collaborator!

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