In the gaming world, graphics play the most important role in shaping the player's experience. From retro pixel art to photorealistic 3D environments, game graphics come in a variety of forms, each unique and appealing. Let's talk about the different genres of game graphics, how they differ and how game graphics have evolved with examples.
Pixel art is a classic of game graphics with blocky, low-resolution images made of tiny square pixels. Pixel art originated at the very beginning of the games industry and has become very popular again in recent years.
Interesting facts:
The first pixel art appeared in video games on consoles back in the 1970s and 1980s, such as the Atari 2600 and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
At first glance, pixel art is fairly simple, but its creation requires the artist's skill and attention to detail. To convey complex scenes and characters, artists work within a limited color palette and resolution.
The iconic pixel art games Minecraft, To The Moon, and Stardew Valley have popularized pixel art in modern gaming, demonstrating its enduring appeal across generations.
2D vector graphics
2D vector graphics consists of geometric shapes-multigons, lines and curves, essentially using mathematical equations to execute the image. A style of graphics that conveys a sharp image and very smooth animation and because of this vector graphics in the gaming segment becomes ideal for developing side-scrolling adventures, platformers and puzzles.
Interesting facts:
The most important technical capability of vector graphics- to scale for all screens, different sizes and resolutions without loss of quality.
The artistic potential of vector 2D graphics is clearly demonstrated in the games "Limbo" and "Celeste", in the minimalist aesthetics to create atmosphere and mood. Vector graphics is popular, not only as game graphics, it is the favorite graphics of designers and illustrators for the brevity and simplicity of the image, which is a recent trend in the art world.
Isometric graphics
Graphics with a pseudo three-dimensional perspective to give the effect of volume and dimension in a two-dimensional plane. This style utilizes diagonal lines and angles to give scenes a sense of immersion and realism.
Interesting facts:
Isometric graphics were popularized in the 1980s thanks to the games "SimCity" and "The Sims", players could control and build virtual worlds with detail and precision, which was an absolute sensation in those years.
The difference between isometric games and conventional 3D graphics is usually much easier to develop and optimize and more accessible to small studios and indie developers.
There was a new wave of interest in isometric graphics after the release of Into the Breach and Stardew Valley, which combined modern game mechanics with retro aesthetics.
Polygonal 3D graphics
To create realistic characters, environments and objects in virtual space is used geometric shapes, so-called polygons - this is 3D graphics.
3D graphics can be low polygonal, medium polygonal and high polygonal. In computer games used low polygonal models (rarely medium polygonal) in order to save performance, as highly polygonal graphics requires too much resources and computer power, which is not efficient.
High polygonal graphics is used when it is necessary to create the effect of realism, superimposed on top of low polygonal model.
During the emergence of 3D game graphics, significantly evolved and technology continues to develop, surprising us with visual opportunities.
Interesting Facts:
In the mid-1990s, the advent of 3D graphics characterized a new era in the gaming industry, providing an unprecedented level of realism and interactivity.
The famous games "Final Fantasy VII" and "Super Mario 64" contributed to the popularity of consoles with 3D graphics, demonstrating the possibilities of an amazing game world in three dimensions.
Modern 3D graphics are used extensively in the gaming industry, also in movies.
Photorealistic graphics
Photorealistic graphics is the most modern genre in the game industry - imitates the feel and look of the real world, with the help of advanced rendering achieves realistic visual effects. A style that blurs the line between the real and the computer, where artistic and technological possibilities are intertwined.
Interesting facts:
It was the pursuit of photorealism in games that ushered in an era of technological innovation.
Games such as "Alan Wake II " Red Dead Redemption " "The Last of Us Part II" demonstrate the detail and precision realized with photorealistic graphics, immersing players in a world indistinguishable from the real world.
Of great importance in photorealistic game graphics play, artists who balance aesthetics and gameplay.
Game graphics is a wide range of styles and techniques, each unique. From pixel art to the breathtaking realism of photorealistic graphics, the gaming world is evolving and innovating, artistry and technology.
