FAQ

Last Update: July 19, 2024

What is the Japanese PixelArt Cityscape?

It is a pixel art group activity that aims to make a rendition of a Japanese commercial street in pixel art.

What are the color and size limitations?

As of June 02, we are still deciding on a palette and building sizes. When at least five people join the Art Activity, the limitations will be decided on by prior discussion.

As of June 10, we are currently voting on the best palette to be used in the Art Activity. If you're already part of the Japanese Cityscape Contributors list, interact with it and choose your favorite palette.

As of June 13, my friend @windfallapples noticed a mistake in the voting image. This is the current voting post. If you're already part of the Japanese Cityscape Contributors list, interact with it and choose your favorite palette.

As of June 20, the palette has been decided: "octo 80 by octoshrimpy". Please refer to the Rules in the Home page for more information.

As of June 17, we now have a size limitation for the entries. Your building must be in increments of 32x32 pixels, with a set minimum and maximum area as shown in the picture below. Fill in as much space in the allotted area as possible to make the street look populated.

Please refer to the Rules in the Home page for more information.

Can I reference real-life brands in my art?

Yes, but we do not recommend it.

This is a free and non-profit art activity so be aware that using real-life company names can be problematic. Otherwise we will not outright reject submissions that have real-life brands in them.

Can I make bigger buildings by joining two (or more) buildings together?

No.

We want the street to look as diverse as possible, and making a building that is noticeably too big compared to the others may upset other collaborators.

Can I submit animated buildings?

Yes.

We accept 2, 3 or 6 frame animated gifs. Any entries with different number of frames will be clamped to the nearest valid frame number.

Please note: animations might suffer changes after submission in order to be uploaded in street form.

How do I join the Japanese Cityscape Contributors list?

Send a Bluesky DM to Gors @gors.bsky.social, asking to be added into the list. People in the list can interact with this art activity's official posts.

Being added in the list means you have read this FAQ in its entirety and agree with the terms.

Can I invite my friends to participate?

Yes.

Send this FAQ to your friends and tell them to follow the steps. Joining is possible at all times.

Can I be a part of the art activity without being added to the Art Activity List?

No.

Please contact Gors to be added to the list so that you can directly interact on the official posts. This is how we will know you consent to be part of the art activity.

Is the Art Activity List public?

Yes, as per Bluesky's design.

However, the List exists only to filter off people who are not part of this art activity in the official posts. Access the official Bluesky Feed for the art activity updates instead.

How do I submit my art?

1. First, make sure the art was made by you, and that you are not posting it on anyone's behalf;

2. Post your art on Bluesky with the #JPPixelCity hashtag, and tag Gors to notify him;

3. Use the official Submission Form to send your art;

4. Minor corrections can be sent directly as DM so that Gors can update the art accordingly.

Can a person be removed from the list?

Yes.

The list owner (Gors) reserves full rights to remove any user from the list at any point of the art activity, making them unable to participate. We do not allow art theft, AI usage of any kind, discrimination, etc.

We give special attention to the Bluesky Community Guidelines, and disrespecting it will result in the user's removal and subsequent report to the administrators.

Can I request to be removed from the art activity?

Yes, no questions asked.

We will remove your art pieces and credits upon request. Just send a DM to Gors requesting it.

Is there a deadline to submit my art?

No.

There is no definite deadline for this art activity.

Is there a set limit to how many submissions I can make?

No.

However we will manage the submissions and implement a limit should we notice some kind of excess.

Can I depict sensitive topics such as explicit porn, violence etc.?

No.

Remember that we abide to the Bluesky Community Guidelines. Keep it nice and safe for everyone to enjoy.

Can I post the art I made for this Art Activity elsewhere (personal gallery, portfolio)?

Yes, as long as you do not claim art you did not make as your own.

Crediting this site and the Art Activity is appreciated, but not required.

How do I follow this project's updates?

Follow our official Bluesky Feed for information and new posts. You can only interact with the posts if you have been added to the art activity List.

How does the official Bluesky Feed work?

It collects all posts that contain the #JPPixelCity hashtag, and removes AI-generated content.

New filters may be added as the Art Activity develops.

Is this activity Bluesky-only?

Yes.

We do not intend to extend this project to Discord or any other social site at the present date. We want to see how Bluesky can be used to organize group art activities. We are aware this is not optimal, but the ultimate goal is to meet more pixel artists that are on Bluesky and build trust and fun interactions between us.

Can I post about this on Discord or other social sites?

Yes.

However, remember that we will not accept art that has not been submitted as described in this FAQ.