Reference output
VideoThe gameplay
Gameplay rules, themed obstacles, four parallax layers, the run cycle, the HUD, then the music and the pixel-art constraints.
Create a pixel-art side-scrolling platformer gameplay animation, presented as authentic 16-bit / 32-bit retro game footage. The game is a fast, continuous San Francisco-themed endless runner. A heroic pixel-art adventurer automatically runs from left to right while the camera smoothly tracks the character, keeping the hero roughly centered on screen. The player cannot stop or move around obstacles. Every obstacle that enters the hero's running path must require either jumping over it or ducking underneath it. GAMEPLAY Obstacles approach clearly from the right side of the screen with enough visual anticipation to understand what is happening. There are only two ways to avoid hazards. JUMP: used for anything occupying the ground-level running path. DUCK: used for anything crossing directly above the running path at head or upper-body height. Every gameplay obstacle must physically intersect the hero's path if no action is taken. San Francisco-themed obstacles: a cheerful corgi runs directly across the hero's path and the hero jumps completely over it; a startup founder charges toward the hero holding out a giant term sheet, jump over the person; an autonomous delivery robot rolls into the running path, jump over it; an abandoned electric scooter lies horizontally across the sidewalk, jump over it; a shopping cart rolls into the running path, jump over it; a low-flying delivery drone crosses at the hero's head level, duck underneath it; a flock of pigeons flies across the path at head height, duck underneath them; low construction scaffolding extends across the sidewalk, duck underneath it. Keep obstacles visually distinct and spaced far enough apart that every jump or duck reads clearly as a deliberate gameplay action. SAN FRANCISCO ENVIRONMENT Multi-layer parallax scrolling. Foreground: lush grass, sidewalk edges, rocks, flowers, fire hydrants, cable-car rails, fallen leaves, utility covers and small particles moving quickly. Midground: colorful Victorian houses, steep streets, cafes, trees, cable cars, fences, stone walls, staircases, scaffolding and occasional fantasy waterfalls at medium speed. Background: enormous green hills, dense neighborhoods, downtown skyscrapers, the Transamerica Pyramid, distant castle-like silhouettes, the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and mountains beyond the city, moving slowly. Very distant atmospheric layer: colorful California sky, enormous clouds, drifting coastal fog, distant birds. Blend recognizable San Francisco architecture with a lush fantasy-adventure world: Victorian houses beside ancient stone ruins, cable-car tracks winding through grassy hills, waterfalls descending beside city staircases, the Golden Gate Bridge appearing dramatically between mountains and fog. Background pedestrians, cars and scenery are decorative only. HERO ANIMATION A highly polished 8 to 12 frame running cycle with expressive movement, bouncing hair and clothing, an animated cape or jacket, natural arm and leg motion, and tiny dust particles beneath the boots. Transition cleanly between RUN, JUMP, LAND, RUN, DUCK, RUN. Jump animations must visibly carry the hero completely over each ground obstacle; duck animations must visibly lower the hero enough for airborne obstacles to pass over. Keep the hero's design, face, clothing, colors, proportions and sprite dimensions consistent throughout every frame. SCORE AND GAME UI A small, authentic retro-game score counter in the upper-right corner, simple pixel font, continuously increasing as the hero survives, such as SCORE 004820. Keep the interface minimal. No menus, tutorial text or dialogue boxes. MUSIC AND SOUND Energetic retro video-game music throughout, like a polished SNES or early PlayStation-era adventure game: upbeat and catchy, chiptune-inspired synths, punchy retro drums, melodic bass and a bright adventurous lead melody. Synchronized retro sound effects: soft rhythmic footsteps while running, a short arcade-style jump sound on each jump, a quick swoosh while ducking, a landing sound on touchdown, drone buzzing as drones approach, pigeon wing flaps, small environmental sounds for passing cable cars, and a subtle point sound after clearing an obstacle. Music stays the dominant layer with effects mixed cleanly underneath. PIXEL-ART REQUIREMENTS Crisp hand-crafted pixel art with clearly visible individual pixels, a limited retro palette and extremely detailed sprite work, resembling a premium modern indie pixel-art platformer. No 3D rendering, no vector graphics, no smooth painted edges, no realistic textures, no motion blur, no anti-aliased artwork. CAMERA Classic side-view 2D platformer perspective, fixed camera height, smooth horizontal tracking, no zooming, no cuts, no camera rotation. The hero stays approximately centered while the environment moves continuously from right to left. Format: 16:9 widescreen, side-scrolling 2D gameplay, continuous gameplay, retro soundtrack and sound effects, minimal score HUD, no logos.