Unit 78: Digital Solutions for Computer Games

Unit 78: Digital Solutions for Computer Games

Concept art

Concept art is illustration technique used in games  to show the ideas of the creator and/or is used to show progress in not only the games design but the level of skill the creator has in illustration. Concept art can also be used to act as a backup just in case something doesn't go to plan you always have a design close to the finished product. Concept art can also be implemented into games as a extra feature which is always cool! Here is a example of concept art:

Pixel Art

Pixel Art is another art style commonly used in games that are 2D or side scrollers. It is also used to make sprites for the characters or items. One of the most popular series that uses pixel art and sprites is the Pokemon series. Here is a image of one of a Pokemon games showing the pixel art:

Texture Art

Texture art is a art style used in games to create depth and make a object sometimes look realistic. Texture art also makes objects more immersive, drawing in the player separating 2 dimensional from 3 dimensional. Here is a example of Texture art in gaming:

Background images

Background images are mostly but not limited to 2 dimensional games. Background images are used to add depth and make the player feel like there is more beyond the barriers of the game instead of it just being a empty abyss. Here is an example of background images from the popular game Super Mario Bros:







In Game Interface

In game interfaces are used in a way to send the player information without the need to pause or open any menus. Here is a example of a in game interface from the game Minecraft:



Print Media

Print Media is a form of a marketing technique that creators use to make their game stand out. The aim for Print media is to draw in and catch the eye of players to make them buy their game. Print media is used in posters, Box art, Game covers etc. Here is an example of Print media on a game cover:

L3 Games Design Unit 78: Digital Graphics for Computer Games Artistic Style

L3 Games Design

Unit 78:Digital Graphics for Computer Games

Artistic Style

Exaggeration

Exaggeration is an art style that is used in games mostly such as MMO RPGs, and Japanese culture such as anime and manga. This art style is used in games, anime and manga due to how the art style exaggerates certain elements of the characters such as their large eyes or crazy hair styles. This is as shown with The Legends of Zelda Triforce Heroes because all three Links have exaggerated eyes and hair as seen in this image here:

The reason why games, anime and manga use this type of art style is because it can also show emotions and character features very well for example if the character is happy there eyes would probably be larger and more cheerful and if they are angry their eyes would probably be small and squinted etc.

Photorealism

Photorealism is an art style that is used in games to create a realistic feel to them to separate virtual from reality. This is shown here:

At first glance it may look real but as the image implies its not a photo. This is an example of photorealism that is used commonly in games such as Battlefield and Call of Duty to make the player think they are not just an NPC or a character they are actually a person.

The image here is a character from the soon to be released game Battlefield one. As you can see the character looks highly realistic and this is another example of photorealism,

Pixelated art style
Pixelated is a art style using pixels to create a visual graphic such as characters. Using pixels in games creates a retro type look. Pixelated art style is mostly used in older games but is and can be used in newer games. Pixel art games usually have a limited colour pallet. Here is and example of Pixel art in games:

Cell Shading

Cell Shading is a art style commonly used in cartoons and animation. But is not common in computer games unless it is a game that is based off of a cartoon or animation. One of the most popular cell shaded games in the next gen era is Borderlands but the most popular in the more older generations of console is Simpsons: Hit and Run.

My Gaming Machines-Then & Now

My Gaming Machines-Then & Now

Gameboy

The Gameboy was released in the EU on the 28 September 1990. I enjoyed this gaming platform because it was easy to travel with you could just place it in your bag or pocket and carry it anywhere with you. The stuff I didn't enjoy consist of the graphics, this is because it was black and white, and the battery life, this is because it would go for hours if you charged it fully, meaning more game time! The main thing i didn't enjoy about the Gameboy was that it didn't have an illuminated screen, so unless you had a light you could barely see what your doing.

My favourite game for the Gameboy was Pokemon Yellow, unlike the other Pokemon games such as Pokemon Red and Blue, in Yellow you would have a Pikachu following you around as you enjoy your Pokemon adventure!

These are the specs for the Gameboy:

Central Processing Unit (CPU)	8 Bit, Clock frequency: 4.19 MHz, RAM: 8 Kbytes
Dimensions	148 x 90 x 32 mm
Weight	220 g
Power consumption	70 - 80 mA hr. 4 AA batteries (1.5 V)
Playing time	Up to 30 hours
Screen type	Liquid crystal screen (LCD)
Screen size	4,7 x 4,3 cm
Screen resolution	160 x 144 Pixels
Game Paks	Exchangeable
Contrast controller	Yes
Loudspeaker controller	Yes
Headphone connection	Yes, stereo sound via headphones
Colours	Grey, transparent, black, white, red, green, yellow, blue
Cable connection	Yes (large)
Special features	LED battery charge display

This is where I got my information from:

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Game-Boy-Pocket-Color/Product-information/Technical-data/Technical-data-619585.html

3DS

The 3DS or 3 Developers System, was released on February 26th 2011 in Japan but later released worldwide on March the same year. I enjoy this platform because it has 2 screens and for games such as Pokemon it makes the menu easier to use for example you will be playing on the top screen and accessing the menu on the bottom without having the need to pause. I also enjoy this platform because it has a 3D option implemented into the 3DS without the need to wear 3D glasses. The one thing I dislike about this platform is the battery life as it states that the battery life is five hours but can only achieve around three?

My favourite game for the 3DS is Super Smash brothers Brawl because it combines big characters such as Mario, Link and Pikachu and makes them fight off in a battle to win!

The specs for the 3DS are as follow:

Key Specs

 

GAME FORMAT

Downloadable, Cartridge

DIRECTION CONTROL

D-pad, Thumb stick

MOTION CONTROLS

yes

CAMERA

yes

ONLINE FEATURES

Multiplayer, Store, Browser

General

GAME FORMAT

Downloadable, Cartridge (2048 MB)

BACKWARD COMPATIBLe

yes (1 generations)

Display

SECONDARY DISPLAY

yes

Controls / accessories

DIRECTION CONTROL

D-pad, Thumb stick (1)

MOTION CONTROLS

yes (Accelerometer, Camera / optical)

CAMERA

yes (Internal) (0.3 megapixels)

OTHER PERIPHERALS

Array

Sound

SPEAKERS

Stereo

AUDIO JACK

3.5mm

Media playback

PHOTO VIEWER

yes

AUDIO PLAYBACK

yes (AAC, MP3)

VIDEO PLAYBACK

yes

Networking / online service

WIFI

yes (802.11b, 802.11g) (WEP, WPA, WPA2)

ONLINE FEATURES

Array

DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT

Array

Storage

INTERNAL STORAGE

yes

MEMORY CARD SUPPORT

yes (SD)

Hardware

CPU SPEEd

266 MHz

GPU SPEED

133 MHz

VIDEO RAM

4 MB

SYSTEM RAM

64 MB

INTERNAL ROM

1536 MB

USB

None

Power

BATTERY SIZE

Rechargeable (Li-ion)

Comparison

Although the Gameboy was my first platform and has some great things going with it such as the battery, it doesn't quite fit in with the 3DS as there is two screens, a 3D feature, better games and cameras.