Graphical Styles

Thopon Chowdhury 12CHaverstock School

15/01/14

In this presentation I will be discussing the different graphical styles and I will be evaluating each of these styles. I will be going through points such as why each graphical style is in the game and the effects it has on the audience and the people playing the game.

There are many graphical styles. Graphical styles are the tone and visual look of a game. A graphical style is important to each of its games because it mostly defines the game and the game is mostly first judged on this. it is also judged on the portrayal towards graphical styles. E.g. Call of Duty is known as a game that has photo-realistic graphics. This effects the game because the photo-realism makes the gamer believe that the gamer is in the game rather than the game being exaggeration where it cannot be compared to real life and will not be the same real-life experience which Call of Duty is based around.

Introduction

Graphical Styles

There are a many graphical styles. Some examples of these styles are:

Photorealistic – Photorealism is making graphics as close to real as possible. Taking a photo and producing a computerised copy of it to be as close to the real thing as possible. An example of photorealism is Grand Theft Auto. GTA V is a game that is produced to resemble the streets and people of Los Angeles. Realistic cars, people and houses are what the game contains and the reason people play it is because it is a perfect simulation of a criminal life that people may want in their fantasy's.

Cell Shaded – Cell Shaded is the basic opposite of photorealism. It is designed to make Computer graphics or 3D images appear to be hand drawn. Cell Shaded is a graphical style that only contains a few shades of colors and is often used to mimic or copy a comic book. An example of a Cell Shaded game is Minecraft.

Exaggerated – Exaggerated is a type of graphical style which makes hyper realistic characters. This means that characters will look over the top and be exaggerated from what real life people and objects look like. An example of exaggeration is Final Fantasy or Naruto, as the characters have exaggerated big hairstyles and huge swords that are bigger than their whole body.

Abstract – Abstract Games are games that have objects and symbols that mean nothing and have no representation towards anything. An example of this is most puzzle games and the oldest Mario Bros.

Color Theory

Photorealistic

Photorealism is making graphics as close to real as possible. Taking a photo and producing a computerised copy of it to be as close to the real thing as possible. An example of photorealism is Grand Theft Auto. GTA V is a game that is produced to resemble the streets and people of Los Angeles. There has been a recent evolution of photorealism and since gaming began the technology has grasped many franchises to start using this graphical style as an advantage to increase the intensity and the realism of a game.

Photorealism – FIFA The reason Fifa producers use the graphical style of photorealism is because it enhances the gamers experience on the game. Fifa is based on a sport in real life so people are expecting a perfect smooth simulation of that.

There is a big effect this has on the audience. The game is a simulation of real life which needs photorealistic graphics too enhance an experience the gamer may want to have. The more photorealistic the more people who will want the game and want to experience themselves controlling a photorealistic game which the can compare exactly to real life.

The style of the game changes the tone and feel because the more realistic it will feel more of a simulation and more of a serious game, whereas if the game was cell shaded it will be more for children and the tone will go down with less intensity and less competitiveness.

Photorealistic – Uncharted

This game is based on a story line of a human being in a natural world fighting across many obstacles to achieve his goal. The game is not filled with anything supernatural which is a big reason why the graphical design may need to be photorealistic. Photorealism helps the gamer feel more into the game and experience the game in more depth which keeps them from getting bored. Also seeing the photorealism in this type of game makes the gamer feel more interested because it resembles the way they see things in real life in the real world.

The effect that photorealism has on the audience is quite significant. This game is based on an event that occurs which can be similar to reality. This means that for the game to attract a large audience it needs to have a unique selling point. One of its unique selling points is it photorealism and the depth it goes into with this. The photorealism helps the audience engage in the story and action more as it is like a live action film.

The style of the game effects the tone because this game is based around reality so if Sony didn’t use photorealism it would be the same as any game and will not have its own mark. The photorealism gives a feel of realism in more depth and helps produce a more older vibe because the style helps the game seem more brutal and more dangerous which will attract an older audience.

Photorealism - Call Of Duty

The graphical style is used in this game because it is based around warfare which resembles to the actions that occur in real life. So using the concept of photorealism gives the gamer more depth in the game and a better experience. Also the more realistic the more it will attract a larger audience because of the detail in the characters will be as if your controlling the reality.

This has a big effect on the audience because the game is a simulation of real life so the realism helps the audience engage in the game and want them more.

This style effects the tone and feel in many ways. It makes it more gruesome and realistic in comparison to real life. Also it changes the feel of a game because the realism helps gamers engage and connect to the game and be part of it.