Unit 13 – Assignment 2Harley Jones 12c

This presentation will introduce graphical styles, the colour theory and how it relates to graphical styles in games.

Graphic styles and themes

There are four main graphic styles used in video games that I will be discussing, these are:

1. Photorealism

2. Abstract

3. Cel-Shaded

4. Exaggeration

Colour theory

Colour theory is colour mixing and the visual effects of specific colour combination. There are also definitions of colours based on the colour wheel: primary colour, secondary colour and tertiary colour.

Primary Colours

Primary colors are red, blue and yellow. These three colours are the most basic colors on the colour wheel. They cannot be made from any other colors but all other colors on the colour wheel are made from them. They are commonly used together to attract attention, such as children’s products.

Secondary Colours

Secondary colours are green, orange and purple. They are formed by mixing equal amounts of the two primary colours that are beside them on the colour wheel. For example, green is made from mixing blue and yellow. They can be used together to create a nicely balanced colour scheme.

Tertiary Colours

Tertiary colors are blue-green, yellow-green, yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple and blue-purple. They are formed by mixing a primary colour and a secondary colour together. For example, blue-green is made from mixing blue and green. Tertiary colours help create a wider colour palette.

Colour perception

Colour perception is the ability of an organism or machine to identify objects based on the wavelengths of the light they reflect, emit and transmit. Colours can be measured and quantified in various different ways. Different people see the same illuminated object or light source in different ways.

Effect of colour

The colour circle can be divided into warm and cool colours.

Warm colours are vivid and energetic, and tend to advance in space.

Cool colours give an impression of calm, and create a soothing impression. White, black and gray are considered to be neutral.

Tints, Shades, and Tones are terms often used incorrectly, although they describe fairly simple colour concepts. If a colour is made lighter by adding white, the result is called a tint. If black is added, the darker version is called a shade. And if gray is added, the result is a different tone.

Colour theory related to game

Colour theory reflects on the mood of the game, bright colours can represent a fun cartoon look and dark colours can represent a dark a gritty look. These reflect on the mood of the game and give the impression of what type of game it is.

For example, the image below shows a bright and colourful setting with bright characters. This is used to show what mood the game is and how it should make the player feel, enjoyable, fun and not to be taken as serious as other games. However, the game shown on the right uses dark and gloomy colours to show the seriousness of the game. This gives the impression to the gamer that this is a dark game that should be played seriously.

Overall, colour theory has a big role in games in terms of creating specific moods and feelings for the gamer which is important to show what type of game it is.

Photorealism

Photorealism is an art style which is based on using cameras and photographs to gather visual information and then from this creating a painting that appears to be photographic.

In games, photorealistic graphics is used to make the game look as realistic as possible for the user. This is because the creators want the gamers to feel more involved in the game by making it look as realistic as possible.

Many games that use this particular style are mostly action and shooter games. These are games such as Crysis 3, Call of Duty franchise, Grand theft Auto franchise.

Crysis 3Crysis 3 is a fictional sci-fi shooter and has photorealistic graphics. This is because the creators want to make this fictional world feel real to the gamers as if it could be possible. They have also used this to make the gamers feel more involved in the game when it comes to action and shooting. This is to make them feel like they’re in the game shooting aliens.

The game uses dark colours to show the tone of the game, being dark. This is commonly used to make the game look realistic. Bright colours would make the game look like a cartoon and the idea of the game would not be effective.

Call of Duty franchise

Call of Duty is a fictional shooter game based on warfare that uses photorealistic graphics. This is used to make the gamer feel like he is in the middle of a war zone. These graphics are effective because it makes the experience for the user more real and gives them more involvement in the game. They also bring alive what its like to be in an environment like this which is important because the game uses settings like this throughout the story and would need to use a variety of different details.

Again, dark and gloomy colours are used such as black, grey and brown to make the photorealistic graphics effective.

Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto is a open world fictional shooter that uses photorealistic graphics. These graphics are mainly used to make the open world look believable and real to play in as well as making the shooting and action real.

There is a lot of detail used to bring the environment and characters to life, this is because the creators want gamers to be involved with the game and characters as they seem real and believable.

Overall, I think photorealistic graphics are mostly used for shooters and RPG open world games. This is because these are the most appropriate graphics that would enforce the idea of making the game realistic and believable to the users.

Photorealistic graphics bring detail for environments and characters which is vital to make the players experience real.

The colours used for this game are mainly dark and detailed shades to create a realistic environment for the player.

Cel-Shaded

Cel shading is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make 3-D computer graphics appear to be flat.

Cel-shading is often used to mimic the style of a comic book or cartoon. This will make it more playful for the gamer and will know that it isn’t to be taken seriously.

Games that use this graphic style are often games like: The Simpsons game, Crackdown and Borderlands.

The Simpsons Game

The Simpsons Game has used Cel-Shaded graphics for the main purpose of creating the same look as the cartoon television series.

The cel-shaded graphics are an imitation of the original cartoon ‘The Simpsons’, this is used to give the same comical, fun mood and feel from the series. By using these graphics show a fictional fantasy world that is upbeat and fun which shouldn’t be taken as seriously as others.

Borderlands

Borderlands is a open world shooter game that uses Cel-shaded graphics. The graphics use the same style of a comic book or manga cartoon. The idea of cartoon looking graphics give the impression of a fantasy world that of course isn’t real and anything is possible in the situation of the game.

This shows the gamer that it isn't as realistic as other games and is fun and should be enjoyed.

The bright colours inflict a upbeat mood to the setting and characters to represent the style of a cartoon.

Crackdown

Crackdown is a fictional open world shooter game that uses Cel-shaded graphics. Again, this is to show that this a fictional world that isn’t supposed give the impression that it is real. The game shows explosive images such as this one which shows it in some ways exaggerates the action throughout the gameplay which is similar to comics.

Bright colours are used to show how unreal the world is and gives the mood of being upbeat and fun.

Overall, I think Cel-shaded graphics are used to represent a cartoon looking style which shows it is an unreal world that shouldn’t be taken as serious as others.

The style and colours of Cel-shaded graphics give a fun and upbeat feel for gamers because this shows how unrealistic the game is even if it is a open world shooter game.

I think the main genre of this game could be any because Cel-shaded graphics are mainly used to elaborate that something isn't real and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

However, Cel-shaded graphics are common in fighting games such as Street Fighter. I think is is to show that the fighting shouldn’t be taken seriously and is exaggerated.

Exaggeration

This type of graphic style is highly exaggerated in terms of characters and weapons etc.

In these games the people are made to look much bigger than they would in the real world, In a lot of cases the muscles that a person has are usually Exaggerated to make the character appear stronger and more leader like. In other cases Hair of the characters can be really exaggerated, examples of these are Manga games.

Games that use this style are games such as Dragonball-Z, Final Fantasy and Gears of War.

Gears of War franchise

Gears of War is a third person shooter that uses exaggerated graphics. In this game the weaponry and armor is exaggerated to show strength and power in the characters to be able to carry such big weapons.

Amongst the dark colours used in the game, the exaggerated characters make the gamers feel safe and in power being able to control them even though the dark colours represent the game as being gloomy and dangerous.

Final FantasyFinal Fantasy is a RPG game that uses exaggerated graphics. Again, these are used to exaggerate the characters strength and ability by giving them huge weapons. This makes the gamer feel in control and have power. The exaggeration allows the gamer to be involved in a fantasy world that shouldn’t be taken as serious as other games.

The games colours are bright and playful which set a fun mood.

Dragonball-Z

Dragonball-z is a fictional fighting game that uses exaggerated graphics to enhance characters appearance such as size, muscular strength and ability. By doing this shows the style of the game and how serious it is, and also effects the mood of the player. The player would feel strong and have power over the opponents that they have to face.

The bright colours bring out the fun of the game and show it shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Abstract

Abstract art uses a visual language of form, colour and line to create a composition.

This style is mainly used for puzzle games such as Pacman.

Pacman

Pacman is a puzzle game that uses abstract graphics.

The colours used in the game for the enemies are bright to show it is playful for all ages. However, the dark background represents the danger in the game which shows the gamer to be cautious. This gives the impression to the gamer that it is a playful game that keeps you on edge.

Space Invaders

Space Invaders is a puzzle game that uses abstract graphics.

The colours used in the game for the enemies are bright to show make them clearly visible from the dark background. However, the dark background represents the danger in the game which shows the gamer to be aware. This gives the impression to the gamer that it is a playful game that keeps you alert.

Overall, abstract graphics are mainly used for puzzle games and use the colours to specifically give the player an effective mood when playing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have now covered all the aspects of colour theory and how it reflects on games. I have found that colour plays an important role in games as it effects the mood of the whole game and player experience.

I have also given detailed descriptions of three games from each art style and the effective moods they create which has allowed me to discuss what game genres would be most common in these particular art styles.