Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
functionality to best meet the needs of the project. One of the first ways to
determine this is to understand some of the physical things the character must
do in the game. Does your character need to do any of the following?
Jump
Run
Fly
Swim
Turn invisible
Talk
Sing
Dance
Carry one weapon, or two, or three
What your character needs to be able to do is story- or gameplay-driven, but how
you portray these actions depends on your platform. Examples of platforms are
A platform is the
playback system
used to play a game.
Your PC
Cell phones or other mobile devices
A console—like a PlayStation or Wii
A video arcade machine
Be sure you know what the technology you'll be working with can support.
Small games designed for mobile applications like cell phones or iPads need to
have simple, larger graphics with clear, easy-to-see movements. Some game
engines can support complex movements, whereas others are limited to simple
ones.
The concept drawings for your characters should be expanded to include
action poses. And if the gameplay will be complex enough to show close-ups of
the characters, the concept drawings should provide variations in the faces to
include an emotional range and lip sync.
Again, I can't stress enough that in order to do this well, you need to avoid
copying too much what is already out there. Go back to the basics. Use a mirror
to study your own face while you form vowels and consonants or show emotion.
Watch other people or animals while you're out and about, and notice their body
language. These things will give you ideas for how to pose your characters and
design faces for intrinsic movements.
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