Tech Noir: C64 Publishing Label Design

1 August 2022 · Updated 26 February 2026

This post introduces “Tech Noir,” a fresh brand identity established for Commodore 64 game publishing. Establishing a recognizable label serves both practical marketing purposes and creative motivation—each release builds a catalog rather than standing alone.

Rejected Branding Options

Several naming alternatives were considered and discarded prior to the final selection, each failing for different reasons:

Closed Canon — Originated from developer community critique regarding narrative consistency; dropped because the letter “C” proved problematic for logo design, requiring excessive ornamentation to achieve visual interest
Pixel Perfect Productions — Deemed overly verbose and restrictive for visual identity purposes. The alliteration felt forced, and the name constrained future releases to matching the “pixel perfect” promise
Artisan Games — Created in collaboration with designer John Henderson but failed to achieve the desired minimalist look. The concept skewed too contemporary, lacking period-appropriate 1980s character

The Tech Noir Selection

The name emerged while viewing a Terminator movie scene set in the Tech Noir nightclub. The choice immediately felt right, powerfully conjuring 1980s atmosphere from the C64’s commercial heyday. The term combines technology and noir aesthetics, reflecting games that embrace both technical ambition and distinctive visual style.

Beyond the evocative name, “Tech Noir” works well for logo design—the angular letters lend themselves to futuristic styling while remaining legible at small sizes.

Logo Design Evolution

Early concepts were deemed too rudimentary, skewing toward early-1980s styling rather than the intended mid-to-late decade aesthetic. The visual language of 1983 differs significantly from 1987, and the goal was capturing the more refined later period when C64 games reached their technical and artistic peak.

The finished design draws from an updated Terminator-inspired logo, modified to work within Commodore 64 hardware constraints while maintaining the chrome-and-neon essence. A unique splash screen animation was developed that presents a novel visual effect for the platform, establishing brand identity before gameplay begins.

Upcoming Projects

The new brand identity will launch with:

Parallaxian (currently in development) — An ambitious horizontal shooter featuring multi-layer scrolling and rescue mission gameplay
An untitled 1-4 player action title — Currently in early concept phase, exploring competitive multiplayer gameplay suitable for party settings