As adolescents, we’re all likely to know about video games. These virtual experiences sometimes serve as escape into a different world, filled with adventures, mysteries, and breathtaking visuals. In these columns, we’ll get into the field of visual effects
and analyze how exceptional graphics and character design boost your gaming experience.

Visual Effects as Art

Video games have come a long way from when they were first created. Even then, they were way ahead of their time. Now, they are made with even more detail, creativity, and brilliance, taking gamers into rich and appealing worlds. One of the many essential elements of the gaming experience is what we would call, Eye Candy. It’s the magic that happens when a game becomes a visual masterpiece like a painting, captivating your attention, encouraging you to play it more.

Graphics that leave you in “Awe”

Imagine yourself in the likes of Kratos from God of War (Sony Interactive Studios 2018), standing on the shores of a breathtaking lake surrounded by ancient ruins. The visual capacity of this world is not an accident, it’s a result of precise design and advanced technology they use. You’ve probably seen the evolution of video game graphics, from 2D pixel art like Pong (Atarinc 1972) or Galaga (Midway games 1981), to the lifelike 3D worlds like Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo 2017) which have some of the most incredible graphics in the video game industry.

Character Design: Beyond Their Look

The characters you see during your gaming experience are more than just images on the screen. For example, “The Legend of Zelda” which showcases Link or Joel from “The Last of Us” are elegantly designed and thoughtfully crafted personas. Or how 2k uses real people to make their animations more authentic. Their appearance, expressions, and movements are all part of what makes them desirable to play. Character design gives you insight on their attention to detail and expertise.

“The Legend of Zelda” takes you on an adventure through the Kingdom of Hyrule. It includes Ample forests, spectacular landscapes, and memorable characters. It’s a great example of a well-designed game, and how it engages players visually. Now, games like “Ghost of Tsushima” also takes you on an adventure, but through the Mongol invasion of Japan. This game exhibits many exceptional effects like weather changes, animal life, cinematic visuals, and the Kurosawa mode which is a reference to classical samurai films by Akira Kurosawa connecting graphic effects in movies with gameplay graphic effects.

Although graphic effects are not just about visuals, it can impact the gameplay tremendously. Beautifully designed worlds can increase your engagement and spark your interest, while detailed character expressions can show emotions and make you have connections to the storyline. This is where the visual experience and your gaming adventure come together to make it the game we love.

Finally, the world of video games is one where graphic effects have become an important ingredient. It’s a mixture of creativity, technology, attention to detail, and storytelling that elevates your gaming experience from mediocre to remarkable. Games like “The Legend of Zelda” and “The Last of Us,” prove that while gameplay is essential, the magic of what you see on the screen cannot go unnoticed. So, next time you pick up a controller and hop on a game try to appreciate the art.