Computer Games Graphics

Computer Games Graphics

Pixel Art

Pixel art is the use of 2D and 3D isometric sprites which are edited on the pixel level in order to create objects and characters within the game. 2D sprites such as the retro Mario can only move side to side with limited movement and can only be seen from one side. 3D isometric sprites are sprites that can be seen as 3D images but are on a 2D plane.  


An example of pixel art is the retro Mario game where you can see the pixels within the sprite which have been used to create the character.







Concept Art

Concept art is the art that the majority of the ideas within the game are based off of. This can include the main character, enemies and environments within the game, among other things. They are usually print media, be it drawings or paintings, or it could be 3D models of early designs of characters. 
This concept art is of the Silver Knights within Dark Souls. In the image you can see the different drawings that create the whole character.









Texture Art

The texture art is the art of the surfaces within the games, taking textures from the real world and transferring them into the game. In photo realistic games, for example, the texture art has to look as real as possible in order for the game to look as real as possible. Texture art involves creating the most realistic textures in for the whole game, even the smallest surfaces. They are used to help floors and walls look correct, and help the game increase immersion and increase the visual edge of the game.  


In this image of The Last of Us you can see the wall at the back has been textured to look old and cracked and worn away.






Background Graphics

Very similar to texture art, the background graphics are used to create the most realistic background to the game as possible. This can include the clouds and the sky, or forests in the background of the games, or the walls within the game. In some games the background may not be something that is the primary focus, but in other games in is important to have a vibrant background to help to add to the games atmosphere.


Fallout New Vegas is a good example of background graphics as you can see from the image the sky in the background looks very realistic and helps to add to the immersion of the game.






In-game Interface

The in-game interface is the, for example, a heads up display. These interfaces help to show your health or lives within the game, and in games such a first-person shooters, the screen may flash red to indicate when you are taking damage. Other examples of in-game interfaces may be the mini-map within the game and the menus that you interact with whether that be to save the game, or delete the game etc. 


Within this image you can see the in-game interface on the screen of Borderlands 2. You can see the health and armour in the bottom left of the screen, the experience bar in the bottom centre, ammo in the bottom right, and in the top left you can see the mini-map.


Print Media

Print media in video games is things such as the manual or the game packaging. The print media is generally things that aren’t “in-game”, and usually come with the game. An example of Print Media would be the box art, which has to be eye-catching and interesting in order to entice people to buy the game. Box art is generally less important within well-established franchises such as CoD as they will already have a dedicated fan base who are going to buy the game, but for smaller games they have to make their print media stand out in order to draw customers. Other examples of print media in video games would be labels and posters. 

The cover of Dishonored is an example of print media within video games. It’s striking and interesting which would interest people if they saw it within a shop of online.