Most people associate animation with cartoons or movies. But animation can also be used to create realistic and lifelike 3D worlds in the gaming industry. Animated games have come a long way. Developing a sense of movement in the game on application began with basic sprites of animation.
As animation gaming evolves, it has become immersing and can transport you to another world. But how does animation help the gaming industry? How do Gaming Development Companies become so successful in building an immersive experience for users?
This blog post discusses the benefits that animation brings to gaming and how it can be used to enhance the experience. Now let’s get started.
A Brief Overview of Animation
The process of animating involves creating images that represent a sequence of events. It is possible to create movies, TV shows, video games, online content, and many other things with animation.
Game animation uses animation to create a sense of realism and movement in the game world. A simple side-scrolling game can have 2D animation, while a more advanced game can have complex 3D animation. Let us understand the types of animation before we dive deep into its uses.
Types of Animation
The use of animation has long been a part of gaming to create engaging visuals and interactive experiences. Whether it’s a simple 2D animation or a complex 3D animation, animation can enhance any game.
1. 2D Animation
This is the simplest form of animation that can be used for gaming. Video games using bitmap graphics are often used for older games that didn’t have sophisticated animation.
Static images are flipped quickly to create the illusion that the screen is moving in an animation.
2. 3D Animation
The program creates realistic three-dimensional characters and objects that can interact with one another in a virtual environment. An animation company specializing in 3D gaming animation usually provides this form of animation, which is more labor-intensive than 2D animation.
Any game can benefit from 2D and 3D animation, whether it is a puzzle game or a strategic combat game. Adding animation to a game can help it come to life, providing the player with an immersive experience.
Furthermore, animation can also enhance existing gaming experiences by adding objects, or even entire landscapes that appear more realistic than they would without animation.
The use of motion capture technology has been incorporated into gaming animation in addition to traditional animation techniques and it aims to provide a more realistic representation of human movement.
So how does animation contribute to video game development and production?
A. Concept Design
Concept Design is one of the ways Animation plays a major role in video games. Artists create sharply defined worlds for games by taking vague ideas and turning them into sharply defined concepts. A game designer’s role is to present a player with a compelling and winsome world by visually fleshing out ideas in a cohesive way. In this way, the foundation of a game is built through a concept design.
B. Character Design
Video games will also include Character Design elements from animators. As in a novel or drama, the characters will carry forward the theme of the game. By animating the characters, the developers create lifelike movements and engaging personalities that allow the player to relate to them psychologically and emotionally while immersed in their world.
The animation also facilitates the creation of finely detailed facial expressions for the characters in the game. Close-up shots need to have this kind of intricate detail to provide a more satisfying playing experience. Furthermore, newer advances in animation technology have made it possible for animators to create worlds that are rich in color, enhancing a video game’s story and setting.
C. Motion Capture
With Motion Capture technology, also known as performance capture or mo-cap, the use of animation in video games has been taken to a new level. A motion capture system blends real life with animation at its best. By using this technique, game developers can capture someone’s live performance and convert it into computerized form. Mo-cap specialists do this by placing sensors all over an actor. As a result of the sensors, their movements can be mapped on a computer screen in real-time as a virtual skeleton. A computer program overlays information on top of the movements, creating a virtual set for the movement to take place in. Animations add an extra dimension to video games, making them more memorable to the viewer.
D. Environment Design
You may notice that daylight and night appear different because of animation. Different features from game engines (Unity and Unreal) help developers to build a real-life environment.
E. Building immersive experiences
With realistic graphics and sound effects, players can fully immerse themselves in a 3D world. The game allows players to explore detailed virtual environments and interact with other characters as if they were real. All ages will enjoy these levels of immersion in animation gaming.
If you utilize the potential of animation in your industry then visit MAGES Studio. Artists, designers, and developers from our full-stack agency work with companies to develop meaningful interactive experiences. So visit our website and contact us today!
