Gaming And Art
One of the main issues facing modern gaming development is that too many developers have forgotten that games can, and often should, be art! Gaming is arguably one of the most powerful artistic mediums on the planet. It melds every other artistic field together into a fully interactive experience. Granted gaming isn’t for everyone. But the point still stands that video games can be art.
There are two key elements to becoming a successful and skilled artist. The first is, of course, practice. If you aren’t creating then you’ve already failed at the first hurdle. But the second key element is to consume as much art as possible. Writers should read a lot of books. Filmmakers should watch a lot of movies. Painters should frequent galleries and exhibitions. And game developers should play a lot of games.
But you shouldn’t limit yourself. You can become a better writer by going to art galleries. You can become a better painter from watching movies. And video games can, overall, make you a better artist. No matter what your chosen field is. And we are going to explain how.
A Delicate Balance
Video games are one of the most difficult forms of art to get right. Because you have to contend with so many variables all working together to create a finished product. And we aren’t just talking technically. The visuals, lighting, sound, music, graphical design. They all have to work together seamlessly to create something spectacular.
And this is the first lesson games can teach you. How one artistic medium can compliment another. Take the game Disco Elysium. The world design in this game is stunning. But what really sells it is the soundtrack. Each area of the game has its own unique sound. And the music features a soundscape that you don’t reaslie isn’t actually part of the overworld. Blending the music into the scenery in a way that transcends what you expect from a video game.
Games can also show you when to hold back. Dark Souls uses silence to a masterful effect. The game features some of the most epic boss music in gaming history. But, in the sections between the bosses, there is no music. Instead you are left with the sounds of the world. This is done to instill a sense of loneliness. To drive home how bleak and lost the world is. Except for one area of safety in the game. Here you are stranded with a melodic tune that invites you to relax. To let down your guard.
Artistic Games
Video games aren’t always about going on grand quests or fighting waves of zombies. There are thousands of amazing art based games out there. Games like Jackbox, which engage your imagination in a social setting. Or Chicory: A Colorful Tale, which is similar to those adult paint by numbers kits you see everywhere.
These games can provide you with a more practical method of improving your artistic skills without having to waste resources. And a lot of these games have thriving online communities where you can share your art and learn from skilled individuals. They are also a great way to unwind after a stressful day.
Environmental Storytelling
One thing that gaming teaches very well is environmental storytelling. This is something that can be applied to nearly every artistic medium. The idea of ‘Show don’t tell’ is a primary one when it comes to writing and filmmaking. And you will see this idea applied a lot in games. Particularly RPG’s or open world games.
The idea is simple. Using the environment of a scene to provide your audience with primary or secondary information. In visual mediums such as film and paintings this is called the mise en scène. Games like Fallout, Skyrim, Dark Souls, and The Witcher are great examples of how well a game can utilize environmental storytelling.
When done right, environmental storytelling will elevate your art to the next level. It will force you to think about new ways to provide information to your audience. And it will also ask you to put more trust in them too. Trusting that they will pick up on what you are hiding in the background.