Minggu, 11 Mei 2014

Art & How It Connects To Next-Generation Video Games

By Rob Sutter


There is so much focus placed on the "next generation" of video game systems that it's easy to overlook the element of cost. This isn't so much rooted in how much games cost at retail but rather the expenses made in order to develop the games in question. An interview with Capcom, one of the longer-standing video game companies, brought this idea into light. However, does the idea of game design have to be as costly as we have learned it to be?

Masaru Ijuin, the Senior Manager of Technology Management at Capcom, did an interview that talked specifically about development costs. It goes without saying that the last generation of video game consoles required a certain degree of effort but it seems as though the generation that we are currently in, according to Ijuin, called for "eight to ten times" more. This goes without saying, though, especially when given the levels of power tied to the latest consoles from Microsoft and Sony alike. Game developers simply want to utilize as much power as possible.

It seems as though most mainstream video games are attempting to push realistic graphics as much as possible. While they certainly come across as aesthetically pleasing, the truth of the matter is that not every title has to follow suit. If you were to enroll in one of many schools which involve art, you will be introduced to the various styles of art that can be incorporated in not only game design but other forms of media too. What are the alternative styles to take into account?

For example, most of Nintendo's standout titles are not exactly ones that can be considered "realistic." Even still, they are able to stand out, which is the most important aspect of any game; if it doesn't look as though it can hold your attention, it will not attain success. For example, "Super Mario 3D World" was impressive, to me, because of how warmer it appeared and the lighthearted atmosphere it possessed. When it comes to realism versus a lack of realism in gaming, it's a matter of apples versus oranges; it all comes down to opinion.

Arguably Sony's swan song for PlayStation 3 is "The Last of Us," which possesses a far darker story to tell. As a result, an environment with less color and moodier lighting makes sense; both of these qualities compliment the narrative. However, if a design choice is made simply because it can be made, it's for the wrong reason. While Capcom is under the impression that "next-gen" hardware entails higher costs, sometimes a simple, clean look is all that is needed for the overall experience.




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