Table of Contents
Who this is for: Game modders, digital artists, and FNF fans wanting to create custom characters for the rhythm game.
Ready to jump in? Play friday night funkin classic games and get inspired by the characters that started the phenomenon.
Play free games on Playgama.com
Understanding FNF Character Creation
Creating a character in Friday Night Funkin involves working with sprite sheets, XML files, and JSON data. You’ll need image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP, plus a text editor to handle the code files that make your character come alive in the game.
Essential Files for Your Character
Every FNF character requires three main components:
- Sprite sheet – A PNG file containing all animation frames arranged in a grid
- XML file – Defines the position and size of each animation frame
- JSON file – Contains character data like health bar color, camera positions, and animation names
Step-by-Step Character Creation Process
Design Your Character Sprites
Start by sketching your character in different poses: idle, left, down, up, and right arrows. Each pose needs multiple frames to create smooth animation. Most characters use 4-6 frames per direction, plus additional frames for idle breathing animation.
Create the Sprite Sheet
Arrange all your animation frames on a single PNG file with transparent background. Keep consistent spacing between frames and organize them logically – many creators group animations by type (all left poses together, all right poses together).
Generate XML Data
Use tools like Adobe Animate or free alternatives to export XML data that maps each frame’s position on your sprite sheet. This tells the game engine where to find each animation frame.
Configure JSON Settings
Set up your character’s JSON file with proper animation names, health bar colors, and camera offsets. The animation names must match exactly what you’ve defined in your XML file.
Testing Your Character
Import your files into a Friday Night Funkin mod using tools like Psych Engine or the base game’s week editor. Test all animations to ensure smooth transitions and proper timing. Adjust frame rates and positions as needed until your character moves naturally with the music.
Ready to experience the rhythm and creativity that makes character creation so rewarding? Try the original game that started it all.
TL;DR
Create FNF characters using sprite sheets, XML files, and JSON data. Design poses for each arrow direction, arrange frames in a sprite sheet, then configure the technical files to bring your character to life.
