Hey everyone! 👋

We’re thrilled to take you behind the scenes of our design journey, starting with the cultural inspirations behind our cinematic screen. It’s been such an exciting process to weave together history, art, and a little steampunk flair!

By the way, our Pre-alpha build is now available on Itch! 🎉 Check it out here. We’d love for you to give it a try and share your thoughts—it’s a great opportunity to help us shape the game into something even better. Just a heads-up, we’re using placeholder art for now, but we’re working hard to bring the full vision to life.

What Specific Cultural Elements Or References Inspired The Design?

Cultural Inspirations in Focus Our talented 2D artist shared what inspired this design, and it’s fascinating:

"Some specific cultural elements I really wanted to focus on were the intricate arches and marble work, heavily worked upon during the Mughal era, as well as the Jalis, which added to the steampunk element at the same time. A big part of the cultural element is the domes, and to align it with steampunk, I incorporated the use of glass and brass beams. My main source of reference was Pinterest."

By blending the elegance of Mughal architecture with the bold textures of steampunk (think brass, glass, and intricate patterns), we’re working to create something that feels both timeless and imaginative.

What’s Next? This is just the beginning! In future updates, we’ll share more about the challenges of mixing cultural heritage with modern design elements—and how we’re bringing it all to life in our game.

We’d love to hear from you! Are there any cultural elements or artistic styles you’d like to see in games?

Balance Cultural Richness With Visual Clarity

We’re back with another behind-the-scenes look at the design journey for Clockwork Palace! This time, we’re exploring how we tackled one of the most exciting challenges in our cinematic screen design: balancing the intricate beauty of Mughal architecture with the need for visual clarity.

Artist’s Approach Mughal architecture is known for its stunning detail and intricate patterns, but translating that into a screen that’s easy on the eyes can be tricky. Here’s how our 2D artist approached the challenge:

"Mughal architecture is very intricate and busy. To give it visual clarity, I looked into Ghibli environments and how even the busiest scenes are balanced and clear. I discovered that the use of gradients and similar color dark lines helps create uniformity. Using the same color throughout also creates eye movement. From here, we decided a stylized art style would be the best."

By studying Studio Ghibli’s masterful techniques and focusing on gradients and color harmony, we’ve developed an art style that blends cultural richness with an intuitive, polished look.

Why Stylized Art? Choosing a stylized art style gave us the freedom to simplify without losing the essence of Mughal design. This approach ensures that players can enjoy the cultural depth while staying focused on the game itself.

Considerations Taken While Creating The Cinematic Screens

Hey there, We’re back with another peek into the creative process behind Clockwork Palace! This time, we’re answering the question: What specific considerations went into creating the cinematic screens? As you can imagine, it’s all about making sure the visuals serve both the narrative and the player experience.

Our Artist Zoha’s Insight Here’s what our talented 2D artist had to say about the thought process behind the cinematic screens:

"Perspective and whether the cinematics should be first-person or third-person were major considerations. The screens needed to transition from being a narrative (third-person view) to the player (first-person). Starting with the narrative view gave us the opportunity to show the vastness of the desert. For the closing cinematics, I found this cool reference of a steampunk machine design that I used for the structure, adding my own twist with a light show and gems. I also searched for desert-at-dawn images to create the daybreak scene."

By starting in a third-person perspective, we could showcase the scale and atmosphere of the desert, drawing players into the world before shifting to their personal journey. And for the closing scene, a mix of steampunk inspiration and a stunning desert sunrise adds a magical, unforgettable touch.

Why It Matters Each cinematic screen is carefully crafted to immerse you in the story while staying true to the game’s blend of Mughal and steampunk aesthetics. The transition between perspectives ensures the narrative feels grand while still putting you, the player, at the heart of the experience.

Ensuring Authenticity in Mughal & Steampunk Design

Today, we’re sharing how we made sure the design elements in Clockwork Palace are authentic and true to the rich Mughal architectural style, while still incorporating our unique steampunk twist.

Our Artist Zoha’s Approach Here’s how our 2D artist approached authenticity in design:

"We made sure the details matched the design and architecture of the Mughal era. I used reference images from real-life landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, and the Badshahi Mosque to make sure the designs were spot-on. Understanding the materials used, the carving techniques, and why specific patterns were chosen was crucial. I also looked into the difference between Greek pillar designs and Mughal pillar designs to ensure accuracy. For the pavilion (Chatri), I referred specifically to Mughal designs and added some steampunk elements for a unique twist."

By using actual references and understanding the historical significance behind the details, we’ve created a design that feels both authentic and innovative, blending Mughal elegance with steampunk creativity.

Why Authenticity Matters Authenticity helps us create a deeper connection with players. Each design element, whether it’s the arches of Mughal buildings or the steampunk features, adds meaning and immerses you in a world that feels both familiar and new.

Today, we’re answering an important question: Did we encounter any challenges when blending cultural aesthetics with modern gaming standards? The answer is yes, and we’d love to share how we overcame these hurdles!

Here’s how our 2D artist Zoha addressed the challenge:

"Mughal culture is very detailed and intricate, and adding steampunk elements means more detail on top of detail. Modern games, however, focus on a ‘less is more’ approach, with basic structures and simple details to provide visual clarity. So, the challenge was finding the right balance. To resolve this, we opted for a stylized design style with playful color contrasts to give the designs the right amount of flair while ensuring they were still visually clear and functional."

How We Resolved These Challenges A huge part of overcoming this challenge was research—and a lot of it! We looked through countless references to understand the core aspects of Mughal design and steampunk aesthetics. And, of course, ChatGPT was there to lend a helping hand in refining ideas and breaking down the complexities of the design process. 😄

Why It Matters By balancing the rich cultural elements of Mughal architecture with modern design standards, we’ve been able to create a visually striking game world that doesn’t sacrifice clarity. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where history meets gaming in the best way possible.

Creating a Mystical Mood Through Cinematic Design

Setting the perfect tone for Clockwork Palace was no small feat, especially when blending mystical fantasy with steampunk elements. The cinematic screen plays a crucial role in immersing players, and we couldn’t be more excited to share how the mood came together.

Artist’s Insight Here’s how Zoha approached this creative challenge:

"The mood we wanted was a mystical fantasy mystery. To achieve this, I focused on using cold hues like blues and purples for the sky, paired with a full moon to add an otherworldly feel. The vast desert is mostly shrouded in darkness, with ruins scattered around to evoke a sense of ancient mystery. I added golden orbs, like floating fireflies, to guide the eye and create movement. When it came to the palace, turquoise with white highlights brought it to life, adding a touch of wonder amidst the darkness."

Why the Mood Matters In Clockwork Palace, the cinematic screen isn’t just visually appealing—it’s a storyteller. The carefully chosen colors, lighting, and elements like golden orbs work together to transport players to a world of intrigue and discovery.

Were there specific techniques you used to evoke a sense of place or time?

Immersing players into a world that feels both timeless and otherworldly is no easy task. For Clockwork Palace, the cinematic screen was a canvas to convey a sense of place and time—a world steeped in melancholy, wonder, and the echoes of a collapsed timeline.

Artist’s Insight: Here’s how our 2D artist Zoha brought this vision to life:

"The constant moonlight bathes the scene in soft blues and silvers, while long shadows stretch endlessly, evoking a sense of quiet permanence. To emphasize the concept of being 'stuck in time,' I incorporated symbolic details like broken clocks, fallen pillars, cracked floors, a pendulum frozen mid-swing, rusted pipes, and ancient gears turning purposelessly. The architecture merges ruins from various eras, all weathered equally and overtaken by nature—suggesting a timeline that has collapsed into itself."

"The atmosphere carries an ethereal quality—motionless stars, fog that lingers as if suspended, still water in channels, and glowing lanterns casting a warm yet fragile light. Together, these elements weave a narrative of a world trapped in its own past, frozen in a cycle of decay and beauty."

Why It Matters Every visual detail in Clockwork Palace serves to immerse players in its rich storytelling. By blending symbolic elements with intricate design, the cinematic screen doesn’t just set the scene—it tells a story of a world where time itself has unraveled, creating a unique blend of wonder and melancholy.

What role did color palettes and patterns play in conveying the cultural narrative?

In Clockwork Palace, every detail has a story to tell, and the color palettes and patterns are no exception. They were thoughtfully chosen to reflect cultural richness and deepen the narrative of this intricate world. Let’s take a look at how these elements came to life.

Artist’s Insight 
Here’s what our 2D artist Zoha had to say about the role of color and patterns:

"The color palettes were inspired by the richness of Mughal art and architecture. Deep reds, golds, and earthy tones were used to ground the design in history, while accents of turquoise and teal added a touch of vibrancy and intrigue. These colors also helped align the cultural aesthetic with the mystical and steampunk elements of the game."

"Patterns were equally important. I referenced intricate jali designs, geometric motifs, and floral patterns often found in South Asian and Mughal architecture. These were simplified and stylized to fit the art direction while retaining their cultural essence. Repeating patterns like arabesques provided rhythm and harmony, tying the visual elements together seamlessly."

Why It Matters 

The deliberate use of color and patterns does more than beautify the world—it immerses players in a setting that feels authentic and alive. By balancing historical accuracy with modern artistic techniques, Clockwork Palace captures the essence of a time and culture while remaining visually engaging and accessible.

Note: The designs we’ve shared here are part of our ongoing creative process and are not yet featured in the Pre-alpha build. All art in the current version is placeholder. These detailed and culturally rich designs will be included in the Early Access version of Clockwork Palace. Stay tuned, something truly exciting is on the horizon!

Were there specific patterns or motifs that guided the design?

In today’s update, we’re taking a closer look at the specific patterns and motifs that guided the design of Clockwork Palace. Each element has been carefully chosen to reflect the game’s unique blend of cultural richness and steampunk influences.

Artist’s Insight Here’s how Zoha (2D artist) approached the role of patterns in the design process:

"Geometric shapes and floral patterns dominate the design. Geometric works well for the floors and jalis, while floral patterns are used for the walls and pillars, as well as the metalwork on machinery and fountains."

Why It Matters The use of these patterns wasn’t just an aesthetic choice—it’s about enhancing the cultural narrative and tying the environment to both historical and steampunk traditions. The contrast between the sharp, ordered geometry and the delicate, flowing floral motifs speaks to the complexity of Clockwork Palace and its evolving world.

What’s Next? As we continue to work on bringing the vision to life, we’re excited to share more insights into the creative decisions behind the game. Our Pre-alpha build on Itch here is available to check out, and while it features placeholder art, the foundations are all there! Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we gear up for the upcoming Early Access release.

Thanks for following our journey, and we can’t wait to share more soon!