Pony Sprite Rigs! (The Menagerie Breakdown)

The pony sprites are ready to be animated! And most of them are Ultra forms so this'll probably be the first time most people have laid eyes on 'em since the group lineup shot posted in the Kickstarter description.

Take a gander at all the pony sprites that have all their separate little pieces posed out.  Keen-eyes might even detect reused and recolored pony parts shared between a bunch of these guys. This is what we're working with in terms of animating each member of the roster. So think of this as like a sort of preview of an artbook section. (Even though this game probably isn't getting one.)

Ultra Rainbryte

Thinking about making this one spin around like Sonic for physical attacks and have some flashing crackling wing flaps like a Zapdos.

Ultra Simber

A flaming pegasus was the prompt, and that's what was delivered. A color change to the wings and hooves were added to make it pop more.

Ultra Thestra

A very long Longma, that is,  a chinese horse/dragon mix type creature. Didn't go H.A.M. on the wiggling body parts for time reasons, but expressive key poses should get the point across.

Posmask & Anzuari

Tricky part is going to be making the ghostly transparency effect look cool in action. And good ol' Anzu's wings were tricky things to draw. Kinda picture them being used like hands in certain contexts, but nothin' you'd see in-game.

Ultra Anzuari

This one's very regal and simple, keeping stoic stances. Biggest feature being the colorful wings.

Ultra Verrow & Ultra Shyshock

A big ol' mole/bear and even bigger ol' butterfly/wasp. Ultra Verrow in particular was a fun one to see come together. (It's from when I finally felt I was getting the hang of this.)

Ultra Mauss & Ultra Poni-Bot

Lots of flashing colors on these. Mauss and has a special eye glint animation that I can see being meme fuel someday. And Poni-Bot comes with a giant missile pack as well as exploding tail orb and various symbols that can appear on its face-screen.

Joyance

Probably the most expressive of the bunch with her baby doll eyes, flowing ribbons, and bouncy poses. This one sparks joy.

Frufang

A trouble-making bat with insulting gestures like eyelid pulling and a general nasty demeanor.  The Ultra form got an extra pair of wings to help make the enhanced form feel more special, hardcore, edgy, whatever she's going for. (Don't pretend to get it. You never will.)

Primcess

The calm and majestic primcess. Ribbons blowing in the wind as if she's constantly being fanned.

Ultra Primcess

A big braid swings around as this pony moves about. With all her long and trailing bits, its like wearing a ballgown all the time. She's also got a spinning little heart gem floating between her antlers.

Ultra Mothlass

A GIANT BEAUTIFUL MOTH!! Never fully trust someone who doesn't love this fluffy beast.

Ultra Petrifus

This thing has a heck-of-a-lotta writhing cloth bits to deal with. If Vinerva wasn't already done, this would claim the title of biggest pain-in-the-butt to draw with its sheer number of moving parts alone.

Ultra Xenoir

The most xeno-looking Xenoir where the name starts to make more sense. Other than the super stabby tail, you can expect typical Dark Pony posterchild behavior.

Ultra Orscina

The colors on this pony have changed so often we've lost track. But Baby Blue seems to work best. And there's pearls in her mane to hide the transition point that would probably never make sense in pixel form. Mesmerizing, flowing, bioluminescent mermaid-like hair was the mission here. Was that accomplished?

Jacklus

A tough and sturdy fighter. Hopefully some serious power can be conveyed in the animations to show the sheer might of its strikes.

Mighthorn

Glowing horn and a wiggly string tail tipped by a tuft of hair.

Ultra Mighthorn

The mighty crystal horn gets a chance to shine here as the centerpiece of this new HORSE ARMOR. (Also, the tail is kinda like a medieval flag which I thought was a cute touch.)

Malduin

A very cool looking barely pony-like being that wins over the hearts of even the staunchest of pony-dislikers. 'Cause c'mon. This design is just Fire.

Ultra Malduin

A big scary dragon design that rocks hard especially in its medieval looking Chroma form. It's fiery Super Saiyan 3 lion's mane is a pretty nice touch imo. And hopefully the color difference with the tail gives it enough texture to come across as not-literal-fire, but just fire-like hair.

Galloop

Goopy pony with jello-y movements that can hopefully be enhanced with a special shader effect in-game just for this species.

Ultra Galloop

Muky muck pony that oozes and shimmys around everyplace. Some extra tongue poses were added after other pony sprites were made to give this one some more interesting key poses. Tricky part is gonna be getting it's goopy stringy mouth to look right going up and down.

Chryssect

Don't be fooled! This here is no alicorn! That horn is for violent stabbing, not magic. This is just a kitchen knife bug.

Ultra Chryssect

A huge mommy long-legs spider with very dangerous mantis-like front raptorial legs. You basically would never want to get into a grappling match with one of these things.

Shorral

A snooty turtle with a waterbed-like inflatable body that can retreat into shell form with just a horn sticking out. And its bigger form slowly swings its head around putting everything it has into those attacks.

Gaiza

This one's Ultra form went through the most dramatic changes, and in fact was the most recent one finalized. Lots of spinning, blinking hair highlights, and general punkish attitude. Interestingly, the base form has a light that travels back and forth across its visor when idling, which will probably give this species the longest idle animation of them all in order to get that to look natural.

Ditzapp

The cute bubbly cherub pegasus that can hardly see straight. This one has the nifty art gimmick of having eyes that sometimes swap colors with each other when she blinks.

Ultra Ditzapp

Another electric/light based pony with colorful bits that blink on and off. (Starting to think this is an animation crutch of mine 😅). The Sunglass visor thing is pretty sweet though.

Drexaroc

This species might be a lowkey fave of mine. This is just freakin cool. Blue flaming wings flare up when it's attacking.

Ultra Drexaroc

This creature is probably the single most awesome thing I have ever drawn and likely will ever draw. This is it. I've peaked.

Makojaw

Trying to really sell the weight and sharpness of this guy. Players should instinctively notice this thing radiates power and you don't want to be anywhere near whatever it takes a turn to charge up for.

Vamparas

Tried to go for something cute on the surface but creepy if you get too close. Like a sinister alien cat that was infected with a hostile symbiote.

Ultra Vamparas

A masked creature capable of absolute carnage. Kinda has an exposed nucleus thing going on representing it's leechy glass canon gameplay functionality. Sharp angles, pointy bits, and sudden movements is what this thing's all about. And one of the first wild Alpha ponies you'll encounter in the wild too.

Crabcer

The pinchiest sucka in the entire game. Crabby claws that can shoot off and a big tail one that has a flashing gem-like thingy inside where it's Energy Attacks come from. And you'll only catch Crabcer with open eyes if you really catch one off guard or get it too worked up.

And as for the weird mandible ear things... Art is a weird stream of consciousness. Can't quite tell you what possessed me to draw them that way.

Colossic

Thankfully a big pile of rocks doesn't need to move much. In fact, it looks cooler that way. Might add sandy effects when you impact it though, just for fun.

Puffus

This one's supposed to be made of little cloud chunks. It'll puff it's cheeks up and blow at you to attack like some sorta Yoshi enemy.

Ultra Puffus

A big round puffball that I should definitely make a pillow out of someday. It'll shrink and grow as it breathes air in and out. And has a little nyan type face to make it super appealing. (Noticed how most Ultras looked scary or cool and wanted to balance out the roster more.)

Skullna

The little zombie that could. This pony's got boney bits galore that need to jostle to really sell the effect. And even her tail's hairtie bone spins around like a little copter when she's firing off an energy attack. How precious is that?

Ultra Skullna

This shaman horse might look intimidating, but that's mostly just the skull mask. Underneath that thing is just a grown up looking version of the sweet little Skullna you saw before... And beneath its neckline is pure unrelenting body horror! A gaping hole that lets out a vicious lacerating tongue like a whiplash!

Lushroom

Hats are cool. You'd wear a mushroom sombreo if one materialized next to you right now. Don't lie. Or maybe you'd be compelled to after being hypnotized by this pony's cyclops eye and rattle tail!

Ultra Lushroom

There's kindof a Yoshi-like thing going on here. With the color scheme, Piranha Plant tail, tounge that comes out of said mouthy tail, and its Koopa mouth shapes and everything. (I think Yoshi's come up twice now because Yoshi's Story was the first game I ever played and I'm listening to it's soundtrack as I type all this out in one go.)

Nimbula

Wanted to do something wacky and gimmicky with this pony here, like having an alt form for every weather type, but this game's development has gone on long enough. Another one for the "Save it for the Sequel" pile. So for now, the Chroma color swaps are purely aesthetic.

Manticorn

Another contender for least pony-like pony is Manticorn here. With vicious tail and claw attacks.

Ultra Manticorn

This one's got eye mist inspired by a certain Sombra and a meaner looking lion mug with a roar to match.

~ Ponatina's Elemental Forms!! ~

This next set is rapidfire since they all share the base poses with regular Ponatina, but each form has an accessory or few to spice things up.

Floratina

This is the first one of the 'Tina forms made.  Little pixie-like wings on her back (that can only flitter short distances) and a horn that can't quite do magic but can still poke an eye out.

Burnatina, Aquatina, Electina

Rounding out the starter set, these forms play it pretty safe in terms of moving parts. Webbed hooves, fluffy fire-spewing tails, and crackling hair are the standout features on here.

Dractina, Pixitina, & Havoctina

The dev team has been quite partial to the catlike pose of Dractina and almost every little girl we asked at conventions likes Pixitina (or Joyance) the most out of the whole roster. But I think edgy folks will gravitate towards Havoctina's Punk Rock motif.

Shadotina & Metatina

Shadotina is smooth and confident like a spy who's succeeded countless confrontations before and Metatina is just crazy sharp and dangerous to touch. Considering adding more spinning, slashing, and maybe even a little tornado action in new frames when time comes to animate her. Just to sell the blades all over her body more.

Venotina, Sectina, & Phantina

Some pretty self-explanatory stuff here. Including the two floating forms that'll hover in mid-air the whole time.

Bucktina & Teletina

The fluffy tail of Bucktina cannot be contended with. This is probably the pony I want to personally pet the most.

Had to make extra special overworld frames for Teletina to show how she glows when using psychic powers in the overworld. Still haven't settled on which color scheme to go with... (Lemme know which you like most in the comments. If you read this far your opinion on the matter probably means more since you're into this kinda thing.)

Frostina, Granitina, Aerotina

These sturdy-hooved 'Tinas each have very intricate hairstyles and even a different leg base from regular Ponatina.

Luxotina

This here is the fancy one. Was extra proud of the idea of a lightsaber tail when that popped up.  And tufts of hair that flicker & blink like Light Bulbs.

Mimicoh

And as for the strangest of all...

The trickiest pony by far given that it has special weirdo powers. See, this one can rearrange bits of itself to mimic inanimate objects. In terms of pixel art animation, this is visualized by having the sprite get blur-blocky and then sharpen into a final shape sorta like the transitions you see when shifting between Box Pokémon in the Gen 3 games.

Demistar

A teary streak under the eye was added recently to sell the intensity of this pony's pain. You'll uncover exactly what this demigod pony's deal is after you beat the main story and explore a bit.

Do take time to appreciate the sizzly wing effects going on here for now though. Took forever to make the wings look alright.

Ultra Demistar

This is like a Super Saiyan 2 Future Twilight type monster with a crackling hologram-like wingspan, extendable lightblade horn, and an Avatar state. Basically everything my teenage mind would've conjured up as I draw in a sketchbook in the back of the class during movie day.

Lumani

She might be everyone's favorite Alicorn given the obvious inspiration.  Thought it was important to make important bits of her silhouette bright Neon purple. As if you saw her in moonlight, she'd be glowing in a majestic way. (Kinda like the mooooon~)

Solira

A pony meant to resemble the sunset & sunrise. Visible on the title screen as is, this pony was initially drawn to replace the Celestia placeholder image used in early builds of the game.

The idea for the gradient hair came to me pretty quick but getting each frame to look right and blend together took a while.

Alicorn (Filly Forms)

Through some special and specific actions you'll eventually run into these in the story mode. They're very cute and very similar to each other. Just chibi lil' Alicorns (that look a little cornered). Basically mini versions of their towering counterparts.

The Elysicorn

The Kickstarter Stretch Goal was met, so we get to squeeze in one more Alicorn onto the roster! This is the art team (really just Yotes)'s best attempt at an EPIC AS HECK lookin God Pony.  Hopefully it's movements, actions, and special effects added in post-production can nail that.  (Observant folks might even notice a little easter egg in it's Energy Attack animation involving the halo.)

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So that's the bridled bunch. Time to get them moving, frame-by-frame at long last! No longer will these ponies just be a figment of the dev team's imaginations. Hope you look forward to encountering them in the wilds of the Pinto Region by this time next year.