Parallaxian Logo Reveal & Design Process
The official logo for Parallaxian, an in-development Commodore 64 game, has been unveiled. A game’s logo serves as its first impression, establishing expectations before any gameplay footage appears. Getting this element right required significant iteration.
Design Principles
Four core objectives shaped the logo creation:
- Sharp, high-resolution appearance avoiding pixelated blockiness that immediately signals low-budget production. The logo needed to suggest quality before any other element
- Retro 1980s feel without resorting to overused tropes like chrome gradients or neon outlines that have become cliche through overuse in retro-themed media
- Visual distinction from existing C64 game logos, avoiding similarities that might cause confusion or suggest derivative work
- Reflecting the ambitious scope of the project through bold, confident presentation that suggests a substantial production rather than a simple tech demo
Creation Process
Rock band logos from groups like Def Leppard and Ratt provided initial inspiration—these designs balance aggression with sophistication, using angular letterforms that read clearly at various sizes. The approach of treating a game logo like album artwork informed the creative direction.
Early concepts emerged through character editor experimentation on the actual C64 hardware, testing how designs would render within the platform’s constraints. Weeks of refinement followed, adjusting stroke weights, letter spacing, and decorative elements until the design achieved the intended impact.
The web version was adapted from the native C64 design and polished using image editing software, smoothing the pixel edges for clean display on modern screens while preserving the essential character of the original.
See also: Parallaxian Game Page
See also: Tech Noir label design process · Seawolves branding comparison · Parallaxian development progress