Toy-Like Game Characters and Retro Backgrounds | Match Stars The multiplayer match-3 PvP puzzle game phenomenon continues to captivate players worldwide. It’s simple, quick and activates all kinds of emotions – all this attracts a modern audience of all backgrounds and ages. For example, let’s take a look at the Match Stars. This project shows why match-3 games are so in trend right now. The development of this project required a match 3 game design studio. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size Billy the Bot – Think of Sheriff Woody from Toy Story, but as a robot. Billy the Bot mixes cowboy aesthetics with mechanical parts made of plastic. It’s a cool retro-futuristic look. His big eyes and expressive face make him friendly yet heroic, combining cowboy nostalgia with tech.Jester – A fun, colorful character with exaggerated limbs and a flashy outfit. He has a wide smile and big gestures, showing off his playful and tricky personality. Inspired by classic jesters, his bright colors and chaotic energy make him stand out.Mask of Fire – A fierce warrior with a burning mask covering his face. His fiery design highlights his power and aggression. The large flames and intense eyes give off a dangerous vibe. Maybe he is the toughest opponent in the game? Who knows, check it out.Dr. Matchington – A quirky scientist with a wild mustache and big glasses. His oversized head and exaggerated features make him look smart and a bit crazy. He’s designed to be both clever and funny, adding some humor to the game.Keytarist – A rockstar character inspired by the 80s, with a futuristic twist. He has an oversized keytar, neon hair, and a dramatic stage presence, making him the ultimate performer. So, Cratoonz approached our studio with a vision for Match Stars, needing 3D characters, backgrounds, and game objects for their new mobile game. The result…we got a retro-futuristic theme and toy-like characters, all set within a multiplayer environment. Well, you can see the results in the pictures. Toy-Like Game Character Design The toy-like visuals in characters are the core design and environment storytelling element. Drawing inspiration from toys, the characters are designed with bright colors and elements. Here are some of the stylized 3D character models we created: Big heads and exaggerated facial features are added to show more emotions during gameplay. In this way the characters are more relatable and collectible, increasing their appeal in a multiplayer setting where personality is key. Retro Futuristic Backgrounds The backgrounds in Match Stars combine retro gaming backgrounds and futuristic elements, creating a unique look. Our artists mixed toy-like aesthetics with modern design, featuring oversized puzzle pieces and platforms that feel playful yet advanced. The retro vibe comes from the use of bright colors and simple shapes, while the futuristic gaming background shows through in sleek, metallic details and glowing elements. For example, one of the arenas has a space theme with giant puzzle pieces. Another background resembles a stage filled with stars and a red carpet. The background game design ties everything together, making the environments both visually engaging and easy to navigate for players. Toy-Like Stylized 3D Safe Box Icons In Match Stars and probably all the games that have a toy-like theme, the 3D safe box illustrations are an important part. Both the game’s UI and puzzle mechanics, designed with a playful, toy-like aesthetic are what makes them look interesting. Using mobile game UX design principles, the 3D modeling of these safes focuses on soft shadows and subtle lighting. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size The game icon design uses bright, saturated colors with glossy surfaces, so icons feel fun and engaging. Each safe box has smooth, clean shapes.Each of the safes in Match Stars has a distinct level of "luxury," tied to game progression and rewards. These four different types of safes represent upgrades that indicate the value of the rewards inside. The fancier and more elaborate the safe design, the greater the rewards it holds. This creates depth, giving the icons a tactile, almost touchable quality. These safes serve important functions, such as storing rewards or items, and they can also act as interactive puzzle elements. The simpler safes feature a clean, minimalist look with basic colors and smooth surfaces. As the safes level up, their design becomes more extravagant, with metallic details, jewel-like decorations, and even lighting effects. This approach ties the game icon design closely to player progression, enhancing engagement and fitting seamlessly into the game.