Computer Game Graphics

Computer Game Graphics

      - Pixel Art

Pixel art is a type of digital art made with the use of raster graphics software – this is where you can edit images on the pixel level. Pixel art is mostly in old devices, so, old computers, mobile phones, consoles, etc. For example, the Pokémon series and Minecraft are example of games that use pixel art.

2D Sprites: A sprite is a bitmap graphic that is designed to be part of a larger scene. It can either be a static image or an animated graphic. Examples of sprites include objects in 2D video games, icons that are part of an application user interface, and small images published on websites.

3D Isometric Sprites: 3D isometric sprites are 2D sprites that give the impression of depth, posed in 3D. For example, World of Warcraft of The Sims, where you can rotate the camera and see you character in a 3 dimensional perspective, these games use 3D Isometric Sprites. They are used to add depth.

Concept Art

Concept art is “the initial design used to develop the look and feel of a project.” (http://artistryingames.com/concept-art-concept-art-important/). It’s all the ideas that you have before you start creating certain aspects in a game (or film, comic book, etc...) such as: the characters, the background, the location, the environment, etc. You can get these ideas - and advance in your project – from a simple drawing, or a model, or even something you’ve seen in a film for example.

 

Texture Art

Texture art “is used to describe either the way a three-dimensional work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel" of a two-dimensional work.” (http://arthistory.about.com/cs/glossaries/g/t_texture.htm) It’s used to inform the audience of what something is made of, looks like and feels likes. Textures should be relevant towards the place, background, storyline and scene of a game. Here are a few examples of different textures:

·        Background graphics

These are the graphics of all the things that are in the background in a certain scene – from trees to walls, forests, rain and clouds, etc… These are mainly static images that you cannot interact with, they are just there to set the ambience and also so that it wouldn’t just be blank. Here are some examples of background graphics:

·        In-game interface

     

In-game interface is all the things that you can possibly interact with in a video-game. From your HUD to the main menu, mini-map and chat, etc., all the things you can interact with by clicking or typing, pressing any buttons, etcetera, that’s the in-game interface. Here are a couple of examples of in-game interfaces. The image on the right clearly shows us the main menu of the game, as well as character, stats, abilities, minimap, scoreboard and time.

·        Print Media Art

This is like the face of the game. It’s the art of the game cover, the game’s poster, game’s website and overall the theme in which the game is portrayed. This impacts the number of sales – the better the game cover the more copies you’re going to sell for example. It also makes the audience get into the game even more.