Artistic Styles

L3 Game Design

Unit 78: Digital Graphics For Computer Games

Artistic Styles

Photo-Realism

Photo-Realism is used to games to make them more immersive, if this is combined with stuff like a good story then a game can be very realistic and engaging. Photo-Realism has been used  in games such as  The last of us and Watch Dogs to create a more immersive atmosphere which makes the player feel more engaged. Photo-Realism can make a player see emotion in a character that has been made up which is amazing and creates another layer to the game. This style gives of a very real style and depending on the game it creates different moods.

Abstract

Abstract is the opposite of Photo-Realism and in most cases is very unrealistic, it uses very bright colours to stand out and make the game stand out in a way of colours mostly. Games such as Geometry wars and Tetris are abstract as they use different shapes and colours to stand out. Abstract styled games create a very fun mood and atmosphere as they are mostly not serious game and have a childish ring to it.

Cell Shading

Cell shading is the use of shading and bright colours to create a comic book effect, gamers love the style of cell shading because of the comic book resemblance it is especially useful when creating a game such a spider-man as it goes well with he theme. This theme creates a happy mood as it is cartoon like and gives a feel of nostalgia to the player as they play through he game. Famous series such as Megaman and The legend of Zelda use this art style.

Exaggeration

Exaggeration is an art style that is used it games that aren't supposed to be taken seriously such as Wii party games. The art style is widely used in anime and is very wacky with over dramatic proportions such as big eyes.In some cases they almost look like a cartoon, like pokemon. Some of the best know examples of exaggeration in art is Final Fantasy and Xenoblade. The style makes a fun mood and atmosphere as it is a playful style and is not serious.

Film Noir

Film noir is very over extenuated style which uses things ile lights and shadows to create an atmosphere. Little thing like someone in black is there to cause harm and white is good is ther kind of stuff that is used in Film Noir. Another thing that could be is if someone is looking into a mirror they are portrayed as two faced. Colours are used a lot to create a dark atmosphere when needed it is wuite a dark style. One of the most famous games that used this is L.A Noire which was a game that followed a detective that tryed to figure out a series of murders, giving it an even more of a dark mood.

Pixel

Pixel art in games is a style that is purposely bad graphics such as 8-bit games it gives the game a retro feel. Games such as Minecraft and Terraria are games with big pixels and are still very interesting. The focus is on the gameplay rather than the graphics as the graphics give the retro feel. Most pixel games are not realistic as they are not trying to be, and are not really serious games.