Asset and Prop Design

By Katie Neukirchen - Shaders, Lighting, and Texturing Artist

While details may seem small and minuscule, there is actually a lot of effort that goes into filling out a game space to make everything truly come to life. Props and assets help make a space feel intentional, and if a prop feels out of place, the player will notice and be pulled out of the experience. Different forms of set dressing can also help communicate to the player what kind of space they are in, which can support a broader sense of story and world-building. 

With Esquelito, Skeletal Sync wanted to make sure that props felt intentional and well placed while also not being too distracting from core gameplay. There is always a purpose behind why an object appears the way it does. This approach helps artists avoid spending too much time on assets that may not ultimately be used in the final game. 

Players will often be running past these objects without paying much attention to them, so while set dressing was important, it was equally important to maintain clear and simple silhouettes. Items needed to be recognizable even at higher movement speeds. Objects like carts and boxes required strong, readable shapes to communicate that they could act as obstacles or interactable elements. Their designs are simple enough that, even when moving quickly through the world, players can immediately understand what they are. 

Large Prop Layout

Because of the game’s simplified visual style, many of these props are also reusable. This allows spaces to feel filled out without players realizing the same assets are being repeated throughout the environment. Smaller details such as flowers, fruit, and pots help break up repetition and add visual interest. These assets still maintain unique silhouettes and color choices, helping them stand out and remain recognizable. In many cases, brighter colors play an important role in separating objects within a space. 

One of the most significant assets worked on was the ofrenda. Not only was this a hero prop (an object the player interacts with frequently) but it also carried strong cultural significance. A considerable amount of research went into designing it in a way that was respectful and culturally appropriate. More attention to detail was required during its creation so that it would never feel out of place within the world. This asset required a much more thoughtful and intentional approach than many of the others. 

In game test of ofrenda table setup

Working on asset design for Esquelito helped reinforce the importance of environmental details in game development. While props may not always be the main focus, they play a key role in shaping how players understand and experience a world. This project gave me valuable experience creating assets that balance functionality, atmosphere, and narrative support.