Artistic Styles of Computer Games




Screen Shot of the Gears of War Environment
 

Photo - Realistic

Photo-realistic is where the game is made to look as realistic as possible. With use of textures, shading and attention to detail. this adds a realism that many games today try to improve continuously, some of todays games even imitate real life landmarks to add a realism to the game.
Most FPS and RPG games use this style to make the game experience
as real as possible.
Another reason photo-realisitic gaming
has become majorly popular is the
challenge to the game producers, as

The use of textures, shading and light makes it look very realistic.








Screenshot from " The Legend Of Zelda - The Wind Waker "

Prince of Persia screenshot

 

        Viva Piñata Screenshot
        
  Fable Screenshot



 
 
 
 

Plants VS Zombies (Abstract game)

Hexic (Abstract Game)








 

technology moves on the photo realism is getting better and better, which makes competition between game developers.































Cel Shading

Cel Shading is where non-photorealistic rendering is a type of non-photorealistic rendering, aimed to give the appearance of hand drawn graphics. this is often used to imitate a cartoon or comic book style, it is often recognised with having a thick black line around features of the drawings.
This style of game design makes games stand out and look different from the games of today, as many feel a good game must appear as photo-reaslistic as possible.
 Cel Shaded games stand out more in todays gaming industry.

This image (right) is a good example of using Cel shading on a photo-realistic background, which makes the game extremely appealing to both game type audiences.














Exaggeration

Exaggeration is where the style
of the game is very over the top. From the size's of the Characters,Environment's and other aspects of the game are slightly or majorly out of proportion.
The style of an exaggerated game has many defining features, alot of the game seems no as many aspects of the character(s) are enhanced to the size of their hands and feet to armour, weapons and surroundings throughout the game.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 












 
Abstract

An abstract game isn't used often in the gaming industry and is mainly used by independant game manufacturers. It is difficult to describe the definition of an abstract game as they're many different opinions on the subject. However they mainly consists of randomness, simplicity and a themeless feel where aspects of the game are not characteristics of anything in the real world.
Examples of these are Plants VS Zombies (right) also Hexic (right) both very popular games on Xbox 360 Live Arcade.
As you can see there doesn't seem to be any rules to keep to, as many abstract games are simple however very addictive, the repetativeness throughout is combated with the difficulty level as the game pogresses. This is what makes abstract games very appealing to non "hardcore" gamers as the simplicity is easy to grasp and the player can have hours of fun.