Digital Graphics
For Computer Games
Artistic Styles
What are artistic
styles?
There are different artistic styles in video games. In other
words its the type of gaming graphics used in the game to present the type of
game it is. For example, the developers of a game may want the game to be
realistic or they may want it to be cartoon like.
Cel-Shaded
Cel-shading is a non-photorealistic rendering style making
the video game graphics appear hand drawn or cartoony. This style is generally
used in Japanese developed games. This style is quite new. The first cel-shaded
computer game came out in the twenty-first century. In comparison to other
games, it has a very simplistic style. In these games, the game is most-likely
based on a comic book that previously came out before the game was even thought
of. The ways of telling that it is a cel-shaded game is that it has feint
outlines around each object in the game. Bright vibrant colours is another
stereotype of cel-shaded games. Examples of cel-shaded games are, Dragonball Z,
Naruto and Afro Samurai.
Photorealism
In photorealism games the game developers try to emulate a
realistic game with 3D mesh, whether its fictional or nonfictional. This is
tremendously hard to make and requires a highly skilled artist to get the
scaling, textures, models and various other things to get the art side if the
video game correct. It is also very time consuming. It requires powerful
hardware to render the finished product. One of the reasons to why developers
use photorealism is to simulate a cinematic realistic experience for the gamer.
Examples of games that use this style are, Crysis 3, Max Payne and GTA.
Exaggerated
Exaggerated games are kind of based on photorealism games.
The arts that are produced in the game are realistic but have been enhanced and
heavily done to make it exaggerated. There are a lot of Japanese developed
games that use the exaggerated visual style to make their games interesting to
their target audience. One example of this is Tekken. Tekken includes many
exaggerated fighting moves, weapons and even hairstyles. Some western games use
exaggerated visual style including Batman: Arkham City and Devil May Cry.
Abstract
This is probably one of the most unique visual styles of
gaming. This style is nothing in comparison to others, meaning they are nothing
alike. They are usually made up of geometrical shapes and generally don't
acquire much skill when playing them. A typical abstract game would use vivid
colours although some do use subtle colours to make you feel relaxed. Examples
of abstract games are Tetris, Child of Eden and Katamari series.
Military
There are many examples of video games that have a military visual
style. In a typical military game it will be in first person and will simulate
a realistic simulation of what is like to fight on a battlefield. In many ways
military games are similar to photo-realism although it has its own separate
category because of how unique it is in textures wise. You know when you’re
playing a military game, mostly likely because the textures stand out to their
own unique style. Examples of military games are Call of Duty series and
Battlefield series.
Rockstar
Rockstar have their own unique visual style in computer
games. For example the textures in their games are very similar and once you
have played one they all become the same underneath. For example, Max Payne 3
have similarities to their GTA series. All of their games involve crime and
have a similar style whilst playing them. Rockstar are a well-like company that
make games such as GTA series, Max Payne series, Red Dead series, Bully series
and LA Noire.
2 Dimensional
A 2D game is very simplistic. Usually they don't really take
much skill, although they can still be as fun and addicting to any other game.
Furthermore 2D games don't really have going on in the way of what you can do.
Some if the first games created are 2D, for example Pong and Space invaders
which were hugely popular when they first cam out.
Computer Games
Graphics
Pixel Art
Pixel art is a form of something called digital art.
Graphics in old computer/video games use pixel art. This is created through the
use of raster graphics software.
Concept Art
Concept art is a form of illustration used to plan ideas
mostly used in films and video games. This is done before putting the art into
the final game. Concept art is also known Visual Development.
Texture Art
In the visual arts, texture is the quality of a work of art.
It is an element of two-dimensional and three-dimensional designs and is distinguished
by its visual and physical properties. Use of texture, along with other
elements of design, can determine a variety of messages and emotions.
Background
Graphics
Background graphics are the graphics that are in the
background to make the game feel like it is set in a certain place. For example
this could be walls, trees, clouds, etc.
In-Game Interface
In-Game interface is basically the menus in between playing
the game. For example when starting a game more than likely you will be set
with a menu which is an in-game interface. When pausing the game this will also
occur.
Print Media Art
Print media are lightweight, portable, disposable documents
printed on paper and reproduced as physical copies in forms we call books,
newspapers, magazines and newsletters. They include informative and
entertaining content that is of interest to the person reading it.
Pixel
The term "pixel" is actually short for
"Picture Element." These small little dots are what make up the
images on computer displays. There thousands or even millions of pixels that
make up a display. Usually you will not be able to see the individual pixels
because they are so small. This is a good thing, because most people prefer to
look at smooth, clear images rather than blocky.
Each pixel can only be one colour at a time. However, since
they are so small, pixels often blend together to form various shades and
blends of colours.
Types of Digital
Graphics
TIFF (also known
as TIF), file types ending in .tif
TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format. TIFF images create
very large file sizes. TIFF images are uncompressed and therefore contain a lot
of detailed image data.
JPEG (also known
as JPG), file types ending in .jpg
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEG files
are images that have been compressed to store a lot of information in a
small-size file.
GIF, file types
ending in .gif
GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format. This format
compresses images but, as different from JPEG, the compression is lossless.
PNG, file types
ending in .png
PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics. It was created as
an open format to replace GIF. It allows for a full range of colour and better
compression.
Raw image files
Raw image files contain data from a digital camera. The
files are called raw because they haven’t been processed and therefore can’t be
edited or printed yet.
File Extensions
A file extension is a string of characters attached to a
file name. For example .PNG is something that may be attached to a file.
Compression
Compressing a file is making the file smaller to fit
requirements of the file not being too big. For example, you may make the
compress a file is wanting to transfer the file somewhere else so it wasn’t too
big.
Image Capture
An image capture is some sort of device that lets you record
or take images. For example this may be a camera. You may need to use this when
creating a game to get an idea of what a specific place may look like.
Optimizing
This is when you save a file with the correct file extension
for example you may save a file as .PNG.
