Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
ChapTeR 5
Detailed Development
of Visuals
Now that you've looked
at methods for previsualization and concept work,
let's examine a bit more closely how you can further develop the look of the
characters, props, environments, and interfaces for your game. A great many
games today use 3D graphics; however, 2D is also still used in developing
and producing games.
We'll examine different methods for creating graphics and look at how ani-
mation is created for cinematics and in-game play.
Topics in this chapter include:
Overview of designing graphics
3d models
Color, texture, and lighting
Animation
Overview of Designing Graphics
Designing graphics for any game is a juggling match. The designer must
make decisions taking all these concerns into account: making the game-
play work, using the graphics to add to the appeal (eye candy), and helping
players to—especially in immersive games—identify with their onscreen
persona. Designing a game that achieves all these things is a challenge for
the designer, albeit a fun one.
The first digital games were text based, like the
Colossal Cave Adventure,
which used written descriptions to create the characters, props, and envi-
ronments. These games used just 16 colors and 255 symbols (IBM-extended
