When it comes to video games, the art style can make or break the experience. This is why it is important to choose an art style that is appropriate for your game and the audience you are targeting. The visual medium in video games can significantly impact their overall look and feel.
Although there are many different art styles to choose from, it can be tricky to make the right choice for your project. So, to make it easy for you, we will discuss some of the most popular video game art styles and provide tips for choosing the right one for your game.
Let’s get started.
An Overview of Video Game Art Style
Video game art styles are the visual elements that make up a game’s environment, characters, and other visuals. These styles can range from realistic to cartoon art, depending on the game’s intended audience. The video game art style is often determined by its target demographic, as different game worlds may appeal to different age groups or interests.
The style of video game art also depends on the type of video game. For instance, an adventure-style video game might have more detailed and realistic graphics compared to a platformer or side-scroller with simpler visuals. Additionally, some games are known for their unique aesthetics, such as pixelated 2D sprites or hand-drawn characters.
Tips for Choosing a Video Game Art Style
Many game art outsourcing studio specialize in creating video game art. It is crucial to consider several key factors when choosing a video game art style. Mentioned below are these key points that should be taken into consideration:
- Consider your Target Audience
It is essential to focus on the audience your game will target. The visuals should evoke emotion and be tailored to appeal to that particular type of gamer. For example, if you are creating a game aimed at children, opting for a more vibrant art style with bold colors and cartoon-like characters would be best.
On the other hand, if you are creating a dark adventure game, then a darker art style with muted colors and detailed textures may prove more successful.
- Consider Platforms
When deciding on a video game art style, it is crucial to consider which platforms the game will be played on. Different platforms have different capabilities and tools for creating video game art. For example, the PC platform has a wider range of tools available than mobile or console platforms.
It is also important to keep in mind that some video game art styles may be better suited for certain platforms than others, so research the capabilities of each platform and consider how your chosen style might need to be adapted accordingly.
- The essence of the Game
When choosing a video game art style, it is important to consider the overall essence of your game. Think about your game’s genre, setting, characters and objectives – all of these factors impact the visual identity you want to create. A cartoon-like art style may be more suitable for a colorful platformer, while a realistic look could be better suited to a first-person shooter.
You should also consider how much detail you want in the graphics because this can affect performance and production time.
- Outsource with a Professional Studio
This can be a great way to ensure the game art you need is of the highest quality. There are many experienced and professional game art outsourcing studios available today. These studios can provide various services, from concept art and 3D modeling to animation and UI design. When selecting a studio, look for one with experience in developing video games and creating game art styles that match your vision for your project.
Make sure you clearly understand what the studio will deliver before signing any contracts or agreements. Doing so will help ensure you are satisfied with the result while keeping costs under control.
- Photorealistic and Realistic Art Style
Photorealistic and realistic art styles are the most popular choice for video game developers, as these styles strive to create a lifelike representation of their world. They require great attention to detail and an understanding of how light interacts with different objects. To achieve this effect, many people choose game art outsourcing studio specializing in realistic textures, lighting and motion capture.
This approach can be costly but is also the most visually impressive art style available. When considering a photorealistic or realistic art style for your game, it’s important to remember that this may require more time and resources to create than other art styles.
Basic Video Game Art Styles
Mentioned below are some of the basic video game art styles which can be used to create your own video game:
- Realism
This video game art style emphasizes on creating an environment as close to reality as possible. This includes realistic lighting, shading and textures so that the player can experience a sense of being in an actual place.
- Low Poly
The Low Poly video game art style creates 3D models using fewer polygons than would be used for realism. This leads to lower image quality but is more suitable for mobile games and VR applications where hardware constraints are common.
- Fantasy Realism
This video game art style combines the best of both worlds: realistic and imaginative. The look captures the richness and detail of a fantasy setting but does so in a way that still looks real-to-life.
- Cartoon
Cartoon video game art uses brightly coloured visuals, usually with exaggerated facial features and a limited range of expressions. It’s best used for games aimed at younger audiences or with a lighthearted tone. Cartoon style can be created in-house but often requires more expertise than other styles, so looking into an experienced game art outsourcing studio is advantageous.
- Hand-Painted
Hand-painted video game art are usually best for story-driven or narrative games, as they can produce a more atmospheric look that allows players to connect with the game on an emotional level. The downside is that hand-painted art is highly time-consuming, often costs more and takes longer to complete.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to choosing a video game art style, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one game may not work for another. It’s important to consider the target audience and the platform you are working on when deciding which art style best suits your particular game. Additionally, it’s worth considering whether or not you would benefit from outsourcing to a professional video game art studio.
With research and careful consideration of all factors involved, you should be able to select the right video game art style that will make your project stand out in today’s competitive gaming market.