Unit 78 Exercise

What is Copyright Law?

Copyright gives the creators of some types of media rights to control how they're used and distributed. Music, books, video and software can all be covered by copyright law.

It's used mainly to prevent piracy.

What it Libel?

Noun

Law.

1. Defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures.
   
2. The act or crime of publishing it.
   
3. A formal written declaration or statement, as one containing the allegations of a plaintiff or the grounds of a charge.
   http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/libel
   

How are female characters represented in Games?

In my honest opinion, mostly not in the best light. Hyper sexual image of Women in video games has toned down in recent years but is still out there, if they give a game rating of 18+ I expect some forms of this and I don't see it as a problem but unnecessary innuendo and uncommon body types could unintentionally damage females mentality and ability to play and enjoy video games in the future.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary – 2007                        Tomb Raider - 2013 

What is Graphics Specification

What is Graphics Specification?

Client Needs

Clients sometimes give you a brief on how the game will look, what’s in the game, target audience and characters.

An example of this in the past was Crash Bandicoot. Crash was originally changed as the SONY Japan executives didn’t like the character so it was redone by the artist and was later approved.

http://youtu.be/GVcciVg-CWQ?t=1m37s

Audience

Graphics have to look appealing to whatever audience it is aimed at. Kids tend to like a brighter, colourful and maybe even cartoonish look, which they see in everyday life e.x. Children’s books and Television.

Thumbnail Sketches

Small ideas and characters, backgrounds, logos, items. It could be anything in the game, hand drawn or created on using computer programs e.x. Photoshop, Fireworks and Paint.

What are computer game graphics?

What are computer game graphics?

Pixel art

Concept art

Texture art

Background graphics

In-game interface

Print media art

Computer Game Graphics are one of the defining features of video games. Now-days, visuals can make or break a game in sales. If a game has flashy, high quality graphics, that will catch the consumers eye. However, if a modern game is released with dated graphics, even if the gameplay is fantastic the overall sales might suffer because of the dated graphics making the game look inferior to other games on the market. Graphics give the game an atmosphere, effects like fur rendering (fur rendering is used on game characters, often animals to make the fur look realistic) can make the game more realistic or cel-shading, which gives the game a 2D look but plays in 3D.

Textures are possibly, the most important feature for 3D models (aswell as the overall design of the model + the poly count) because without textures, the models would have no detail. They would just be white (or possibly another basic colour) all over. They give it depth and feel, gaming would be very bland without textures.

Packaging of the game (box art, etc.). Generally, artists specializing in programs such as Photoshop would be working on this. The game packaging is important in terms of looks. An appealing and exciting image for the box art which will catch a customer's eye.

Mood Board Exercise