In the early days of game development, VFX was evidently limited to basic pixel art design and simple animations. The world of video games is constantly evolving though. Following the appearance of new generations of consoles, we see developers push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of graphics and gameplay. This leads to a bigger diversity in VFX styles overall.
VFX plays a vital role in the gaming industry. It adds immersion, atmosphere, and a sense of scale to video games. However, creating good visual effects is no easy feat. It requires careful planning and execution, coupled with a lot of trials and errors.
There are many different styles of visual effects, and each one has generally its own set of challenges. In this blog post, we will be exploring the most popular VFX art styles in games. We will also see how these styles are used to create different visual experiences. So, if you want to learn more about this topic, then read this VFX Style Guide.
What are the different VFX styles in games?
There are many different art styles in games. Each has its guidelines and principles. Some of the most popular styles include Traditional 2D, Realism, and Cel-Shading syles. Each of these styles has its unique look and contributes a different feel, to the game’s world.
First thing to remember as a VFX artist is that you need to have the consistency. The VFX style has to unquestionably match to the the art style of the projects you are working on.
Realism/Realistic
Artist: Benjamin Christensen
The term “realistic” is often used to describe the visual design and fidelity of modern video games.
However, this term can be misleading, as it implies that the goal of game developers is to create images that perfectly recreate reality.
In reality, the term “realistic” simply refers to the elements of detail and realism in a game’s visuals. This is the style that most AAA game productions are using. This style tries to replicate real-life visual effects as closely as possible.
Today, you can see realistic VFX in a variety of games, from first-person shooters to open-world adventures. And as games continue to get more realistic, we can only expect that the use of photorealistic VFX will consequently increase.
To create realistic VFX style, artists use photos and videos of explosions fire and smoke. They also use physical simulations to get the right look.
How to recognize realistic effects:
– Level of detail
– Realism
– Shape language
– Softness
– Believability
– Motion
Artist: Lucas Krawczyk
Cel-Shading / Anime
Artist: JS QI
Cel-shading is a type of shading used in computer graphics to give three-dimensional (3D) assets a cartoon-like look. The goal of cel-shading is to give the illusion of a 3D object, while still maintaining the flat, two-dimensional look of traditional animation. It is often used in video games to result in a cartoon or anime-like look.
One way to achieve cel-shading VFX style is by using a mesh with an animated texture panning across the UVs. By animating the texture, we can create the illusion of movement and depth.
Additionally, we can use cel-shading to add lighter and darker areas to the mesh, which can further help creating the illusion of depth and dimension.
The main advantage of cel-shading VFX is that it allows for a more consistent look and clarity across different game platforms, as well as a more efficient use of processing power.
(tip if you are seeking to create this type of effect you can use the material editor in unreal or the graph editor in unity )
How to recognize Cel-Shaded effects:
– Abstract shapes
– Glow effects
– Exaggerated
– Hard edges
– Oversaturated tones
– High contrast in value and color
Artist: TamTam
Traditional 2D / Cartoony / Pixel art
There are many different 2D art styles that you can find in video games. One of the most popular 2D art styles is pixel art. Pixel art is a type of 2D art that uses pixels as the building blocks. The artwork is created through a process of careful planning and execution, and the final product is often very precise and detailed.
Video game graphics, illustrations, and logos occasionally use Pixel art. It started back in the day when games were still in their infancy. Pixel art often evokes a sense of nostalgia, as it is reminiscent of older video games.
Traditional 2D animation is created by drawing each frame by hand. This can be done on paper or digitally. Once the frames are drawn, they are then scanned into a computer and put together to create the final animation. This process can be time-consuming, but it allows for a great deal of control over the final product.
This style of graphics can be seen in games such as “Cuphead” and “Battle Chasers”. They created unique and visually stunning visuals using this VFX style.
Artist: cokeyli
While the traditional 2D animation style is making a comeback, there are also a number of new ways to create hand-drawn VFX. These include using 3D animation software to create 2D-style graphics, or using special effects software to add hand-drawn elements to 3D environments.
How to recognize hand-drawn effects:
- Exaggerated colors
- Simple shapes
- Exaggerated,
- Harsh edges,
- Oversaturated tones,
- Great contrast in value and color
- Animation
Take Riot Game’s League of Legends as an example This popular game has an art style that is cartoony but also traditional.
Artist: Artem Grechko
How VFX artists define a VFX style?
You have just read the VFX Style Guide and now you are wondering which VFX style should you choose? The first step in defining a VFX style for your game is to take a step back and look at the overall style of the game.
Decide on:
– The game’s genre?
– The art style?
– The tone of the game?
Once you have a good understanding of the game’s style, you can start to narrow down the options for VFX. From there, it’s important to look at the different types of VFX and see what styles are best suited for each.
The VFX style is typically created based on the game’s art style and it’s defined early in the production pipeline aka the (concept stage). And is created with the collaboration of the game’s creative directors, art direction, and the VFX lead/principals. And can be further defined by the game’s resources, characters, and story.
Specialize in one VFX style
Every style has its VFX specialists. Some artists specialize in one of these VFX styles and focus on them (a tip for students: if you are thinking of going into VFX choose one style and stick with it then learn the others later)
Every VFX style offers its challenges from proof of concept and code to the different techniques and equipment. Only because a video game has great visual effects, it does not mean that there were no challenges during the process of making it.
Take Riot’s League of Legends as an example.The release was in 2007 and it took years for this popular game to reach its current status. It is the continuous process of coming up with new ideas to improve the game and make it more fun for players. The LOL team is always improving the game. Designers, programmers, and VFX artists all contribute to the game’s improvemnt and create visually artistic game.
Conclusion
In this VFX style guide, we looked at the common types of VFX styles. Each of these styles has it’s unique characteristics and challenges. By understanding the different VFX styles, you can get a better appreciation for the artistry that goes into the creation of VFX.
Here is a list of guides that will help you with
The documentation of the league’s VFX style guide
Hope you found this helpful.
Thank you for reading.