[Hobby/Volunteer/Unpaid] Looking for: 2D Top‑Down Artist/Animator

Pramer

Cosmic Void: Crew of the Lullaby

Hello space-friend and pixel wrangler! 👋
We’re a small but passionate group building an emotionally rich cooperative 2D top-down space adventure, Cosmic Void, where 4-6 players come together aboard the PSS Lullaby to navigate hazards, manage ship systems, and uncover mysteries of the void. This is not just a game, it’s a journey of teamwork, tension, and discovery.

Why join us?
Cosmic Void is more than pixels and sprites. It's about storytelling through gameplay, tight collaboration, and meaningful player roles. Inspired by classics like FTL, Among Us, and Barotrauma, we’re crafting a clean, readable aesthetic that puts clarity and cooperative challenges front and center.

What is the game about?
Players take on dynamic roles like Pilot, Gunner, Scanner, Engineer, and Reactor Tech, coordinating real-time control of a complex ship moving through an ever-dangerous void. Along the way, they face radiation storms, hull breaches, fierce combat, and haunting whispers of lost crews, all revealed through logs, scans, and voice lines without intrusive dialogue boxes.

What you’ll work on:

• Animated character sprites and lively console interactions that bring the ship’s crew to life.

• Detailed room and station designs packed with props and ambient effects to immerse players.

• Striking UI elements for every station, player status, and main menus to help players stay on top of the action.

• Design and animation of unique ships and alien structures that make the void feel vast and mysterious.

Who we are
Our team is a friendly, respectful crew of 10 dedicated creators, balancing real-life commitments while passionately breathing life into Cosmic Void:

• 1 lead programmer/designer keeping the engine running

• 3 immersive sound designers shaping mood and tension

• 2 narrative talents weaving our haunting story

• 2 committed artists currently shaping ship design and cinematic moments

• 2 voice actors giving voice to our world’s passengers and mysteries

What we need
We’re searching for additional artists ready to learn and grow with us as we shape this unique world together. Whether you’re a seasoned animator or a curious beginner, we value passion, reliability, and a spirit of collaboration far more than perfection.

Why join long-term?
This is a long, rewarding journey, not a quick gig. The game’s scope is ambitious, and while commitment is flexible, knowing what you sign up for helps everyone thrive. You’ll be part of a project with clear milestones, meaningful progression, and the chance to make your mark on every pixel seen by our small, cooperative crew.

Time and compensation
Currently an unpaid hobby project with flexible hours to respect everyone’s life outside the game. In future, if resources allow, we’ll strive to fairly compensate all contributors. For now, let’s build something amazing together for the love of games.

Scope & Roadmap
This is a long-term project with a clear multi-month roadmap. We aim to have a playable demo by the end of February that showcases all the core gameplay loops and systems. While the demo won’t be fully polished or content-complete, it will be a solid vertical slice with working multiplayer coop, dynamic hazards, ship operations, and an engaging narrative. Being part of this project means joining not just a game jam, but a journey toward a fully realized and meaningful game experience, with milestones tied to our shared vision and regular progress check-ins.

What’s in it for you?

• Influence the game’s visual identity and see your art live inside a dynamic shared ship experience.

• Collaborate within a kind, constructive team passionate about communication and scope management.

• Full credit, portfolio permission, and a nurturing dev environment focused on fun and honesty.

Interested?
We’re happy to share our current art samples, the state of the build, style guides, and roadmap. 

Let’s chat about your goals, availability, and what excites you most to create with Cosmic Void.

Contact us:

• Discord: pramer9032

• TikTok: pramerlabs.cosmic

• Reddit: u/Certain-Walrus-1419 -> Pramer

• Email: pramerlabs@gmail.com

Story Introduction:
Cosmic Void is set aboard the PSS Lullaby on its 37th expedition into a mysterious and deadly region known only as the Void. The players take the roles of its crew, unraveling dark secrets as the ship travels deeper into unknown space. The narrative unfolds through logs, AI system messages, and recovered signals, no traditional dialogue boxes, weaving a story of sacrifice, debt, and bleak cosmic mystery.

Technical Approach:
The game is built in Godot 4.4 with a focus on dual-scale gameplay, crew members physically move inside the ship, operating stations in real-time, while the ship itself maneuvers through space on an overworld sector map. Systems are interconnected: piloting depends on engineering, weapons rely on scanner data, power and heat management affect every choice, and realistic hazards require quick teamwork and strategic planning.

Visual Style:
The art emphasizes readability and clarity in a 2D top-down front perspective, blending clean UI and crisp animations to make fast-paced coop moments clear and engaging.