New York City as an 8-Bit RPG Overworld

This 8-bit rendering of New York City is pretty self-explanatory, but here’s what artist Brett Camper says about it:

I hope to evoke the same urge for exploration, abstract sense of scale, and perhaps most importantly unbounded excitement that many of us remember experiencing on the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Commodore 64, or any other number of 8-bit microcomputers. … Take some time to think about New York a little differently. Set out on a quest. Be an adventurer.

At the Web site, you’re free to explore all five boroughs. Camper created the maps using open source software and data packages, with the underlying software coming from OpenStreetMap. Each tile is a 16-by-16 pixel rendering, laid onto the map using a series of spatial tests.

It looks like Camper will be expanding the project to more cities. His Kickstarter campaign to raise $3,000 for 15 new maps was already met by 47 backers. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle, London and Paris will be rendered, and the remaining seven slots will be voted upon by everyone who donates. You can still pledge and get some cool stuff, like a postcard of 8-bit New York City for $10, while $200 gets you a poster, yourself on the map and more. [8BitNYC via GameSetWatch]