2D art is very important for conveying emotions, defining the visual identity, and telling the story in games. In the Espada project, we use 2D digital illustrations virtually everywhere. For that, we had several software options for illustration and chose one that reflects the project’s core values—accessibility, collaboration, and purpose. 

So we chose Krita. Why? Krita is a tool made by artists for artists. It has an intuitive interface, is free, and open-source, making it accessible for small teams like ours and for social projects. The program includes various tools for layered art, even frame-by-frame animation, and it supports formats used in game engines. 

In the Espada Project, we emphasize our commitment to democratic access to technology, and a free, professional-grade tool greatly helps us maintain a high level of production. Some time ago, Photoshop—the most used software for illustration and design—was boycotted by the artistic community. Adobe had openly admitted to collecting data from work created with their software to train their AI, which we consider outrageous! That was one of the reasons we chose not to use it—besides its already inaccessible pricing. 

In this production phase, our junior artist Ramon had the opportunity to be trained and mentored by the senior artist and leader of the Adas Team, following the game's style. This way, we applied everything we believe to be healthy for the game development industry and nurtured our ideals with a team that always supports one another—and Krita, with its simplicity, makes that possible. 

Throughout the planning and production stages, we realized we can strengthen the independent cultural production ecosystem not only by creating but also by talking about the tools and steps of the process. We make a point of promoting Krita, and that’s part of our mission. We encourage other developers and artists to explore powerful and accessible tools like this one. 

So, ready to give Krita a try?  

Created in a moment of chaos, when Adas Oliveira da Silva was either going to live his dream or sink deeper into a hole. When creativity becomes something professional and the very thing you rely on to survive, it takes on a life of its own. 

Espada came to life through dreams—and above all, hope. 

To better understand who the character Espada is, it’s important to understand her creation process. In the game industry, we often see formulas based on archetypes and other theories that are sometimes best left behind. Espada emerged through a unique process—we believe that those who truly live it, don’t need to explain it. It’s about existing. 

She exists. The main girl gradually took shape with each attempt along the game development journey. Every step contributed to who she became. Although Adas is the primary author, he borrowed some ideas from Ohanna, which helped bring extra charm to the character. 

During the pandemic, Espada took on her initial form, as many doors were closing for both Adas and Ohanna. At a critical moment in their lives, they decided: “Let’s fight for our dream—a game.” That’s when Espada’s universe began to form. The character’s adventure and greatest challenge were defined: to overcome and escape the Hole. 

Her color palette carries a message about the fight against depression—a condition that affects Adas and inspired many of Espada’s actions in the game. After a series of rejections in grant applications, waves of sadness became more frequent. But hope was always found in the dawn, and the project kept being submitted to other calls.  

When she puts on her hood, Espada regains her strength—just a moment to think and recharge. Many people need this kind of pause but don’t recognize it. Each time the project was rejected, there was sadness. But soon after, with a short break, they’d rise again and keep fighting—revising, understanding the feedback, and moving forward.  

The personality of the main character stands out even more in this adventure as she wields a weapon that symbolizes her strength: a sword. The journey won’t be easy. She must face challenges and hardships with kindness and faith. She’s willing to help friends and loved ones, but her greatest determination is to find a way out. 

Her bag is filled with items and dreams. Along the way, she chooses to surround herself with good people who will help her reach her goal. Even while dealing with conditions like depression and anxiety, she’s fortunate to find people who treat her with love and care—just as she does with others.  

Now that you know a little about Espada and her creation, are you excited to become part of her story and help her escape the Hole? We’ll dive deeper into her world in future blog posts—after all, we discover something new about her every day.