Technical Issues: Graphics

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Technical IssuesGraphics
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Technical IssuesGraphics

• A discussion of modern video games is incomplete
  without mention of graphics technology.
• Some game developers focus on these issues to
  such an extent that others suffer as a result.
• Good visual effects can make a good game great,
  but they will not make a game good.
• Nevertheless, they have become an important part
  of modern video games.

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Technical IssuesGraphics
Screen shot from Unreal Tournament 2003. This
game is known for great graphics in its visual
effects. It is hard to imagine what itwould be
like without them.
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Graphics Requirements for Video Games

• In essence, graphics are used to provide the
  representation element of a video game.
• Before such visuals, representation was provided
  by textual descriptions and a healthy dose of
  player imagination.
• In these cases, good storytelling allowed the
  player to create their own visuals in their heads.

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Graphics Requirements for Video Games
Screen shot from the original Zork (left) and
Return to Zork (right), one of theearly PC
CD-ROM games. In the opening sequence of Return
to Zork, we finally get to visualize the
original white house. It was definitely a
totally different gaming experience from the
original.
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Graphics Requirements Immersing the Player

• Good game visuals are important to both drawing a
  player into a game and keeping them there.
• The player should be continuously bathed in a
  stream of attractive and fitting graphical
  effects.
• Visual effects are not the only way to immerse a
  player, but poor visuals can prevent a player
  from being drawn in.

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Graphics Requirements Immersing the Player
Screen shot from Rune. The stunning visuals in
this game go a long way towards immersing the
player. You can easily lose hours in a
gameworld like this!
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Graphics Requirements Support Storytelling

• Graphics contribute to storytelling aspects of a
  video game in a variety of ways.
• Introducing and developing characters, and
  conveying their physical, emotional, and mental
  state.
• Establishing the setting of the various levels
  and locales within a game.
• Establishing the general atmosphere, tone, and
  mood of a game.

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Graphics Requirements Support Storytelling
Screen shot from the Legend of Zelda The
Ocarina of Time. Visuals such asthis one from
the introduction establish setting and a
foreboding mood. Therepresentation of Ganondorf
clearly casts him as the games villain.
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Graphics RequirementsProviding Feedback

• The graphics used in a game should provide good
  feedback to the user.
• Every user action should result in some kind of
  visual feedback.
• This feedback should provide useful information
  to a player and indicate whether their actions
  were successful or not. (If not, they should
  also suggest corrections.)
• Without good visual feedback, it is easier for
  players to get lost or frustrated.

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Graphics RequirementsProviding Feedback
Screen shot from Oni. Oni provides good visual
feedback to the user. Everyaction has a visible
result. Useful information is also conveyed for
example,the colour of an attacks impact
indicates an enemys remaining health.
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Graphics RequirementsBe Consistent

• To support immersion, it is important to be
  consistent in game visuals.
• Nothing jolts you out of immersion quicker than
  something that is visually out of place.
• If something is represented in a certain way,
  make sure it is always done this way.
• Use the same models, same textures, same bitmaps,
  same colour schemes, and so on.
• If something is suddenly done differently, a good
  reason should be provided. Otherwise, it appears
  inconsistent.

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Graphics RequirementsBe Consistent
Screen shot from Die Hard Nakatomi Plaza. The
graphics are decent, butthere is an
extraordinary lack of variety in opponents. You
shoot someone,round the corner, and there he is
again such consistency is inconsistent!
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Graphics RequirementsProvide a Good Viewpoint

• It is critically important to visually present
  the player with a view of the game that makes the
  game easier to play.
• Viewpoints that make the action difficult to
  follow make a game frustrating and hard to play.
• Whenever possible, allow the user to have control
  over how they will view the game.
• If you find, however, that they constantly need
  to adjust their viewpoint, this is an indication
  of potential trouble.

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Graphics RequirementsProvide a Good Viewpoint
Screen shot from Splinter Cell. A very
impressive game, but some people found they spent
as much time moving the viewpoint as moving
their character.
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Graphics RequirementsProvide a Good Viewpoint
Screen shot from Dino Crisis 3. The action in
this game is prettyintense its a shame that
the horrible camera angles prevent youfrom
seeing most of it though!
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Graphics RequirementsAllow Tuning

• It is important to be as flexible as possible
  with the graphics used in your game.
• Some users will want to maximize the resolution,
  details, lighting effects, and so to provide the
  most stunning visuals possible.
• Others will lack the hardware to do so, or prefer
  a smoother and quicker game over one that is
  better looking, but slower.
• The more you allow the user to tune the visuals
  provided by the game, the better.

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Graphics RequirementsAllow Tuning
Screen shot from Unreal Tournament 2003. There
are a lot of graphics features that can be tuned
by the user, both interms of basic display
options, and details as well.
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Graphics RequirementsMake an Impact

• Basically, you want the player to say Wow! That
  looks amazing!
• You want to catch the players attention, and get
  them interested in the game to see more.
• Once they are hooked, your games immersion will
  keep them that way.
• You want your graphics to be stunning and
  memorable.

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Graphics RequirementsMake an Impact
Screen shot from Halo. The stunning visuals in
this game can make ahuge impact. With scenes
like this, you just want to sit back anddrink it
all in.
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Graphics RequirementsOne Last Note

• It is important to point out that things such as
  realism are not part of the requirements of
  graphics for video games.
• In some games and game genres, this can be very
  important.
• Sometimes, however, other styles of visual
  representation are more fitting and result in a
  better overall game.

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Graphics RequirementsOne Last Note
Screen shot from Jet Set Radio Future. With its
cartoon-style cel-shading, there is a very
definite look and feel to the game. It would be
hard toimagine the game any differently.
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Graphics RequirementsOne Last Note
Movie from Robotech Battlecry. The cel-shading
using in this gametakes one back to many
Saturday mornings well wasted with thecartoon
series. Difficult to picture it any other way.