The 9 Elements of Video Game Art Style

Summary

In this video, Dryden Thomas explores the concept of art style in game development, breaking it down into nine key elements: process, perspective, resolution, color, proportions, light and shadow, texture, line, and post-processing. He delves into how each element affects the overall aesthetic of a game, using examples from various titles to illustrate his points. The video aims to help developers and artists understand the intricacies of creating a unique art style that resonates with players, and offers insights into how these visual choices contribute to a game's identity and emotional impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Art style in games is made up of several key elements, which can include process, perspective, resolution, color, proportions, light and shadow, texture, line, and post-processing.
• 🎨 The process of creating art (e.g., 3D modeling vs. hand-painting) significantly impacts the final visual style of a game. Radical techniques like embroidery or computer-generated shapes can lead to unique aesthetics.
• 🔍 Perspective affects the visual depth and realism in a game. Perspective cameras create depth, while orthographic cameras flatten the scene for clarity, common in isometric or tactical games.
• 📱 Resolution choices influence the visual appeal of a game. Lower resolutions can evoke nostalgia or challenge the artist, while higher resolutions offer more detailed visuals.
• 🌈 Color palettes play a major role in setting the tone of a game. Restricting colors (e.g., monochromatic or desaturated) can create distinct atmospheres, such as grittiness or nostalgia.
• 🧠 Proportions allow for creativity in character and environment design. From realistic human figures to highly stylized characters like those in *Among Us*, proportions communicate personality and mood.
• 💡 Light and shadow define how a scene feels. Whether it's a realistic, painterly effect or flat lighting, the treatment of light can convey mood, highlight important details, and provide visual contrast.
• 🎨 Texture adds depth and realism to a game world. A consistent approach to texture—whether realistic, minimal, or painterly—affects the player's immersion and perception of the environment.
• ✏️ Lines in art can clarify designs, add elegance, or provide emphasis. The thickness, style, and presence of lines can influence the overall feel of characters and objects in the game.
• 📸 Post-processing effects like bloom, blur, and color correction are used to enhance a game's aesthetic. These effects contribute to visual appeal by highlighting certain elements and creating a more cohesive look.
• 🎮 *Hollow Knight* serves as a prime example of how all these elements come together to create a unique, atmospheric art style. The game uses hand-drawn art, rich color palettes, consistent lighting, and effective use of perspective to establish its iconic look.

Q & A

What are the nine key elements that make up an art style in game design?

The nine key elements of art style in game design are: 1) Process, 2) Perspective, 3) Resolution, 4) Color, 5) Proportions, 6) Light and Shadow, 7) Texture, 8) Line, and 9) Post-processing.

How does the 'process' element impact the art style of a game?

The 'process' refers to the tools and methods used to create art assets. Different processes, like hand-drawing, 3D modeling, or procedural generation, have a significant impact on the final look of the game. For example, embroidered animations or scanned hand-painted art lead to unique, textured styles.

What is the difference between perspective and orthographic camera views in games?

A perspective camera creates a 3D illusion, where objects closer to the camera appear larger, and those farther away appear smaller, simulating depth. An orthographic camera flattens everything, providing no sense of depth but offering clear and consistent views of objects, often used in strategy or isometric games.

Why would a game developer choose a lower resolution for their game art?

Lower resolutions might be chosen for reasons such as nostalgia, aesthetic simplicity, or to create a specific challenge when designing within tight constraints. Lower resolution can also evoke a retro feel, making it look intentionally pixelated or stylized.

What role does color play in a game's art style?

Color sets the mood and aesthetic of a game. By limiting the color palette or using certain hues, developers can create distinct emotional tones. For example, a desaturated color scheme can convey a gritty or melancholic atmosphere, while a vibrant one can create a sense of energy and fun.

How do proportions affect character and environmental design?

Proportions determine the relative size and shape of elements within the game. Stylized proportions, like oversized heads or exaggerated body features, help convey emotion, personality, or threat. For example, characters in Hollow Knight use roundness for friendliness and spindliness for elegance or menace.

What techniques are used to create light and shadow in 2D and 3D games?

In 2D games, light and shadow are often represented through shading techniques such as hatching, blending, or using normal maps for dynamic lighting. In 3D, light and shadow are handled by shaders and the rendering pipeline, which can be adjusted to create various visual styles, from realistic to stylized looks.

What is the impact of texture on game visuals?

Texture defines the surface details of objects in a game. While characters may lack texture for ease of animation, the environment can be richly textured to provide visual depth and realism. The texture style can range from smooth, flat surfaces to highly detailed and weathered textures, influencing the overall tone of the game.

How do line thickness and style contribute to a game’s visual language?

Line thickness can affect clarity and tone. Thick lines can provide boldness and clarity, while thinner lines may suggest elegance or complexity. Line style can also create mood—sharp, jagged lines might convey aggression, while smooth, soft lines can feel more delicate. The use of colored or variable lines further enhances visual appeal.

How does post-processing influence the final look of a game’s art style?

Post-processing effects like bloom, color correction, and depth of field can dramatically alter the visual experience. These effects are applied after the scene is rendered, giving games a distinct look. For instance, bloom can make light sources appear to glow, while depth of field can focus attention on specific objects, enhancing the emotional impact of a scene.