I’ve been obsessed with video games are far back as I can remember; this most likely began with games such as Altered Beast on SEGA Megadrive or an obscure title known as PO’ed on the 3DO console that was like someone played DOOM amid the most surreal hallucinogenic trip you could imagine, and decided it would make a fantastic game.
If I had to pin down what mostly draws me towards a particular game before anyone could endlessly voyeur online ‘Let’s Play’ episodes or repetitively watch gameplay trailers with an overbrimming level of anticipation that your parents would eventually feel the brunt of as you drag them out of the house to your local store. It would absolutely have to be the artwork; picking up a title like Bioshock or Cuphead ignites intrigue before you even insert the disc or download it, it sparks that weird but good feeling that makes you want to know more whilst at the same time giving a huge breath of fresh air in an industry that is trying too hard to be realistic.
One of the most crucial features of gaming concept art is that it should be able to convey an aesthetic of the game’s story and characters. Concept art is used to create the visual elements that will be used to tell the game’s story, such as characters, environments, and props. The concept art should be able to convey the mood and tone of the game, whether it is a dark and gritty adventure such as Bloodborne or a lighthearted and whimsical tale like Little Big Planet.
Another important aspect of gaming concept art is that it should be able to convey the game’s mechanics and gameplay. For example, in a title like Mario Kart, it is obvious from its imagery the player will be utilizing every item found within the game to get ahead of their competition. Concept art is used to illustrate visual elements that depict the game’s mechanics, such as weapons, vehicles, and other interactive objects that may also portray a narrative (YouTube channels like Vaatividya rely on these in-game objects to depict a story or particular usefulness to the player in titles such as Dark Souls). The concept art should also emanate the feel of the game, whether it is fast-paced and pressured or slow and strategic.
Gaming concept art is the artistic overlay of its inner science that alludes to the game’s story, characters, mood, tone, mechanics, and gameplay. It is a collaborative and highly creative endeavor that predominantly demands the skills of multiple artists working together to create a cohesive visual representation for the game. When game art is at its best, a game can be transformed from a generic blueprint into a bespoke yet immersive experience for players.