Why is Gaming Artwork Important?

There was once a time when gamers were only able to choose their next adventure based solely on the way it looked on the shelf – so it is no surprise that since the dawn of the video game, artwork has been important. 

You can still see this to some extent when it comes to, for example. You will have a range of games to choose from, and no real information about what to expect, apart from the screengrab used to entice you. 

Of course, thanks to the internet, we can now find out all about the games we might want to play – from the storyline to playthroughs as well as protracted marketing campaigns designed to draw you in. 

That doesn’t mean that enticing artwork is not still important to the gamers though – in fact, there are some people who claim that art in games is one of the most important things they consider when attracting players to a new title. Cover art needs consumers to be inquisitive and ask questions when they see it, whether it’s a returning character to a beloved franchise or wondering how do casino games for real money work who are new to iGaming platforms and are keen to try. 

Best Examples of Game Art

It is important to remember that the art in games doesn’t have to be flashy or based around realism to be perfect – and some of the best titles reflect that. 

• Red Dead Redemption II: The sunset colours, the silhouetted cowboys on horses, and the protagonist pointing a gun – it’s simple yet evocative, telling a story without needing words.
• Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: The front cover of the game features Link on a rock, looking out over the mountains and valleys of Hyrule; the freedom of the imagery reflects the freedom of the game which really embraces sandbox exploration.
• Grand Theft Auto Vice City: One of the most popular instalments in the franchise, the pop art panels featuring bright colours, goofy characters, explosions and fast cars is the perfect introduction to the game itself.

What is Game Art?

The art of a game encompasses every aspect of play. Covering characters and their costumes, props and weapons, and especially the scenery, interiors and architecture, the art is there to set the tone of the game and build immersion.

Good game art attracts the audience that the developer wants to connect with – and can become an important part of the storyline, too. You wouldn’t use futuristic buildings in an olde world village, for example. You’d expect to see Japanese-style art in a Pokémon game, however. 

Art is there to captivate a player, and to help them build an emotional connection with a character. For example, in games like Red Dead Redemption II, mentioned earlier, the art is matched with the feel of the game. You are thrust into the Wild West, living as a cowboy and getting involved in things like robbing trains and hunting deer. This immersion is partly from the landscape art, from the horses and buildings, but mostly because of the gritty realism of the characters – not wholly good, or even wholly bad, but morally grey in a way that is accessible to everyone. Decisions you make in the game are part of the art, part of the design, and a major part of the immersion. 

This isn’t limited to the AAA titles, though – if you think of a simple title, like Pacman or Tetris, the art suits the game. You would not want the distraction of a soring mountain backdrop, or realistically detailed bricks when you are stacking blocks in a game, so the simple art is the perfect foil for the game. 

Is Game Art Real Art?

This is a question that might seem a little trite – but there are some rather sniffy people who would look down on the idea that art in a video game could be considered in the same way that a Picasso might. 

There are a few reasons for this – but amongst them is the idea that art is a higher form of expression, something sensible and mature. Games, on the other hand, are frivolous, for children or just for play. 

However, they could be like films. 

Early films were simply about telling a story, a bit of escapism and cheap entertainment. In the same way, early video games were about action and fun, with barely a glance at storytelling let alone trying to create art. 

Films developed a language of cinematography, communicating ideas through design in sets and in characters – and now, movies are often considered high art. Games are going through a similar path, becoming more concerned with telling a great story and designing a world to tell it in that makes sense. 

The big title games are more complex, telling bigger stories and making points through the cinema-like narrative. While some of these might be considered the superhero movies of the game world – entertaining, but not really artistic – there is no denying that they would not be the popular games they are today without the art they contain.