Interest in the gaming industry has been on the rise in recent years. Modern games are as realistic and detailed as possible. After launching the program, players enter an entertaining virtual world that looks real. Sometimes, the design of locations is so carefully worked out that they look hyperrealistic. The game art company creates all this beauty. Game artists know how to turn an idea into something fantastic.
How to Make Your Game Look Amazing
We can safely say that the design of the game is its face. The game art allows players to understand the virtual world’s theme better, accompanied throughout the journey.
There is a history of the development of the industry; then, at first, there were primitive games with simple graphics. As soon as users became interested in this area, companies began to think about how to make their products stand out and attract more users. It’s no secret that beautiful design attracts people. And game art studios have become an integral part of developing virtual worlds.
Today, there are a considerable number of game art studios. Some specialize in specific areas. Some companies can design a game in any style and genre. For example, the Inkration.com studio specializes in game art styles for a wide variety of game genres.
Basic Principles of Game Art
Each game has its own features, style, and uniqueness. Some moments may be somewhat similar in color or concept. But there are cardinal differences even in virtual worlds of the same style.
The main goal of the artists is to make the game unique and to provide users with the maximum level of enjoyment. Let’s understand the basic principles of game art.
Definition
The player must clearly understand what is happening, where to go, and who is a friend and enemy. Through artists’ work, users understand the dynamics and direction of the process.
Each item, location, and character must have its own clear boundaries. It allows the player to get as much information as possible on the screen. It is especially evident during battles in multiplayer games and monochromatic locations. Without clarity, the players could not understand what was coming.
Style Matching
Each game has its own signature style. The theme and genre dictate what colors the design will be done in. Artists select plans based on what emotions the game should evoke. For instance, for a horror-style shooter, it would be inappropriate to use shades of pink and pastel colors.
Matching the design and style of the game ensures that the player understands where they are and what he needs to do. Even semitones create the necessary mood and atmosphere. Therefore, it is essential to understand the style of the game world to create a suitable visual art.
Response
Game art elements must respond instantly to commands. Every action must be timely. It doesn’t matter if it’s a shot, a character’s soft footsteps, or a door opening. The sensitivity of the response guarantees the pleasure of the gaming process.
Artists need to consider all the changes that occur after specific actions. It is interaction with objects, the character’s mood, and movement. Smoothness and high response make the game alive.
Visual Hierarchy
In game art, it is essential to adhere to visual hierarchy rules. We are talking about the general interaction of all objects and characters. The main things will always be in the foreground, highlighted in richer tones. It allows the player to understand the gameplay better and highlight the main elements.
Contrast
It is the contrast that allows you to highlight the elements of the game’s landscape. It’s not just black and white. With the help of halftones and shades, the artists single out the characters and objects.
In a monochromatic game landscape, contrast allows you to highlight valuable items. It adds the necessary mood to the gameplay and creates the right atmosphere. In contrast, it would be easier for players to navigate in the direction of movement to interact with the outside world.
Shapes and Sizes
Game artists can also indicate the value of characters and objects through shapes and sizes. Everything here is like in classical art: the larger the object’s size, the more critical it is for the overall concept.
Changing sizes in the virtual world allows you to create the necessary emotions. For example, depicting all the characters as negligible in a vast hall can make the impression of a considerable space. It can be a hint for users. Players can assess the situation and act accordingly.
Correct Colors
Bright colors are a kind of hint for the player. They tell you exactly what to pay attention to. When creating the game art the psychology of colors is used. It makes the gameplay intuitive.
Despite the generally accepted meanings of colors (red — danger, blue — calmness, yellow — energy), it is worth understanding the game concept. Values may vary depending on the theme and idea of the game world.
Details Matter
Detailing is one of the critical elements of the game world. Players may not even realize what role small items play. But it is they who make the landscape complete and complete.
Artists select and create details based on the concept of the game. It is not always necessary to draw every hair and grain of sand. But even in small 2D games, little things matter. They emphasize valuable objects and characters and indicate the further direction of movement.
Is it Challenging to Create a Game Art?
We rarely think about how certain things are created. We start the game and go on a journey through the virtual world. Behind every story is a great team. What we see before us is the result of the successful cooperation of many specialists.
Thinking you can create a game art in one day is a mistake. Theoretically, it’s possible. But users will not be able to understand the dynamics of the plot and enjoy high-quality game art.
Before getting to the gamer’s computer or smartphone, the game art goes through many stages. First, artists create the concept of the virtual world. After that, a prototype is produced. This stage is necessary to understand all the implementation features and how much the virtual world will interest users.
Then, proceed directly to the creation of the game art. This step can take quite a long time. Artists must create all the game world’s elements, which takes more than one day.
When the design is completed, they go to closed testing. It allows you to understand how convenient the final product is, find errors and prevent new bugs from appearing. Testers and artists also evaluate the usefulness and fullness of the virtual world.
Real gamers take part in open testing of game design. All processes are being adjusted, and user support is connected. And only after that, the game is sold to a wide range of consumers.
Where Else Can You Find Game Art?
Do not think that we use game art only in games. Images and visuals are increasingly used in other areas as well. For example:
- movies;
- cartoons;
- advertising.
It can be both individual elements and full-fledged films. Game design radically changes art, making it bright, imaginative, and original. Large companies are increasingly using it in their commercials and presentations. It is a great way to capture users’ attention and stand out from other companies.
