Every time a major video game comes out, there is certain to be a flurry of media coverage, and just the rumors around the next big console or PC title might fill your news feed every week. Hearing so much about the next major title with unrivaled visuals and exceptional realism can lead you to believe that 2D games are no longer being developed and that only 3D games are being manufactured at this point.
So it may come as a surprise to find that a 2D character artist not only survives but thrives in the video game business. Let’s take a look at the current trends in 2D game art.
MODES OF 2D GAME ART
As you may recall, the first video games on computers had extremely basic graphics with a limited amount of information. Because of the restricted visual capabilities of the program and hardware, this was the case. The vast diversity of 2D designs seen in modern games is a direct consequence of the increased freedom and flexibility afforded to designers as technology advanced.
- 2D Pixel Art
It’s a popular style. A pixel is a small square or fundamental form in a pixel art picture or computer image. Pixels are merged to create a single object. Pixel art animation is associated with early video games and arcades, but it’s still popular today. Pokemon pixel graphics isn’t as popular as it once was, but many recent games still employ them.
- Vector art
This is another important art style, or “art variation.” Vector images are created digitally using specific programs, like pixel art. It does not break pictures into pixels, instead storing data as polygons, dots, lines, and color data. Vector art is smaller than pixel-based pictures and has superior quality when enlarged or zoomed. Vector art has great quality and resolution and may be categorized by style.
- Cutout art
Animators construct characters from cutouts. This style resembles papercrafting, where pictures are cut out and glued. A character’s digital asset may be generated using paper cutouts or a computer. This fits with the game’s setting. The cutout image is unchanging, but its location may be modified to portray action and motion, and it can be replaced instantly to reflect a narrative transition.
- Cel Shading art
“Cel Shading,” a new graphic style, has influenced hundreds of video games. This style emphasizes rendering three-dimensional images flat and papery. Imagine a 3D coffee cup. Then, you print a 2D version of the 3D model from a given angle, revealing just a piece of the mug and omitting depth. Objects and text are reduced in size while maintaining detail. Borderlands’ distinctive visual design is primarily due to Unity’s cel shading technologies, which contributed to the game’s initial popularity.
- Monochromatic art
Monochromatic art has no agreed-upon definition, however it often refers to works with one or two colors. To identify things, settings, and places in a picture, tones and tints of this hue are used. Most of the pieces in this painting are black, while some are white or grey to represent significance.
- Flat art
That’s about it. Flat-designed video game objects, characters, and surroundings lack depth. There’s none of the cel-shaded realism and physicality. Instead, artists have such freedom. Most flat designs and models are unique unless they borrow from other styles.
- Doodling style
Perhaps only doodle is defined by subject content rather than aesthetic features. Doodling is drawing aimlessly while attempting to focus. Doodles are abstract, odd, and twisted. Many “doodles” are filled with random figures and objects. Computer and video games occasionally use hand-drawn doodles as digital assets.
This list of 2D art styles is by no means comprehensive, but it does cover some of the most popular forms now in use as well as some promising styles that may rise to prominence in the future. You can find out how much does it cost to create a game app in any of these or other styles.
