Modding:Monster Making Guide Part 1

This article is part of a series of tutorials intended on teaching the reader how to create their own monster mods for the PC versions of Cassette Beasts. We advise the reader familiarise themselves with the Mod Developer Guide first.

This part will focus on concept art, pixel art and animating a monster. As we go, we will be designing a monster from scratch.

• Monster Making Guide Part 1: Concept, Art & Animation
• Monster Making Guide Part 2: Implementation & Stats
• Monster Making Guide Part 3: Integration

Step 1: What You'll Need

Before we start, you will need the following pieces of software:

• Aseprite or Libresprite: These are both pixel art programs that excel in creating pixel art assets and can export the frame data necessary to be read by Cassette Beasts. Aseprite is a premium software package but Libreoffice is a free alternative.
• Godot 3.5.1: As explained in the Mod Developer Guide, this editor is necessary for editing configuration files for implementation.
• A text editor: This is to import and edit .CSV files, which is how you will create your monster's names and bestiary text. We use LibreOffice, which is free.
• An audio editor (optional): This is to create a battle cry for your monster. We use Audacity, which is free and open-source, and very easy to use.
• A digital art program (optional): This is useful for concept art and also creating the "monster sticker". We use Photoshop, but free alternatives include Paint.net, Krita and GIMP.

There is enough free options here that it doesn't have to cost you anything to begin modding!