Game Aesthetics and Branding

James Pearmain @artjimp

Why are Aesthetics so important

Visuals provide the main connection between the game and player.

Design impacts how users perceive information, learn,

and assign value to a product - people perceive attractive things as more useable.

Bring the game to life – make it relatable and

immersive

The Illusion of a game

When designing a game we are creating an illusion.

Players must believe the game is “real” and get caught up in its world to enjoy it.

If the illusion is broken the player will lose interest.

The Illusion of a game One effective method is to tie in the aesthetic with the

gameplay

Example: Pursuit of Hat

The Illusion of a game Example: Sushi Cat

The Illusion of a game Example: Sushi Cat

Think about your favourite games

Most of them will have strong characters and a clear visual direction.

Why are characters so effective? •  Encourages the player to relate with the game. •  “A game can be more fun when you get the chance to act and be

like your ideal self. The attraction to playing videogames and what makes them fun is that it gives people the chance to think about a role they would ideally like to take and then get a chance to play that role.” - Dr. Przybylski.

•  Catharsis – Emotionally involves the player.

Why are characters so effective? •  Would Angry Birds or Cut The Rope be as popular

without its characters?

•  Anthropomorphism and personification.

Over 100 Mario games?!

•  Strong, recognizable character.

•  Why use a new character when an existing one is already popular and has a strong fanbase?

•  Building on the foundations of the Mario

brand – Yoshi, Donkey Kong spinoffs etc

Sequelitis •  People are more likely to play a game with

characters they recognize than something new.

•  Sequels are a great way to guarantee a certain level of success…

•  …but they can crush creativity and are less enjoyable to make.

Building on previous success •  Conflict: You want to build on the success of your

previous games - but also make something totally new and different.

•  Reuse and build upon characters. •  Evolve ideas. •  Make a totally different game but use the same

game world and brand it as a sequel or spinoff.

Example: Jmtb02’s Blue Elephant

Other examples… •  Bubble Tanks > Bubble Tanks TD

•  SFBros Another day cartoons + games

Art for your games

•  You don’t need stunning art for your games, just a clear visual direction.

•  Players will accept simple art as long as it makes sense in the context of the game.

Examples

Using aesthetics to give meaning, explanation and incentive.

•  Appearance should reflect function.

•  Progress should be seen

•  Gameplay elements should be easy to tell apart.

Reward players with visual feedback •  Players will associate certain actions with positive

feedback and be inclined to keep playing.

Gold Stars •  Reward players for every positive action.

•  The size of the reward should reflect the difficulty of the task achieved.

•  Don’t spoil your audience – too much reward will confuse players and reduce the sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Variation is key •  Visual variety will keep players from becoming

bored.

•  If both gameplay and visuals are repetitive eventually the illusion is broken.

•  Different level themes, time of day, seasons, other purely aesthetic changes will improve the attention span of a player.

Thanks for listening!

Any Questions?

@artjimp – jimp.uk@gmail.com -www.artjimp.com