Move Faster and Quickly Than Ever in Developing Gaming Assets

Game Assets are everything that goes into a video game – characters, objects, music, sounds, maps, and environments. They’re a crucial part of any developer’s workflow.

As games move faster and more extensively, teams must produce new content more quickly than ever. Reusing existing assets from past games saves time and allows creators to innovate in their ways.

Objects

Objects in a game interact with each other in a series of discreet moments that are part of the game loop. You can use GML Visual or code to make your objects respond to these events (or create them yourself).

One of the most common examples is the hitbox and hurt box that appears in many games, distinguishing between things that deal damage and those that receive damage. The hitbox can be a small circle around an attack, while the hurt box is a larger circular area around an opponent.

Another common object in games is the prop, a non-living object that changes the game or adds an element of fun. These could be anything from a barrel the character jumps over to a flag the character flies at the end of a race.

These game developers assets can take a lot of time and require intensive care to ensure they look good and perform well in the game. Various pre-processing techniques are performed to reduce file size and increase performance. These techniques include baking, a series of steps that converts the models and textures into a format that the game engine can use to perform quickly without slowing down gameplay.

Characters

Game characters are one of the core components that define the story of a game. They play a vital role in tying a game’s narrative to its audience and are also critical in ensuring its success.

Characters are essential to the gameplay of a video game because they provide a way for the players to interact with them at an intricate level. This interaction can be done through how they talk, act or sound.

When designing a character, it is essential to consider its backstory and how it fits in with your concept for the game. It will help the artists and animators make the character more believable.

A good character is usually characterized by a redeeming feature that makes the audience connect with them more easily. It can be a kind, calm, passionate or vengeful personality.

Another critical aspect of creating a video game character is to make sure that it has flaws and limitations. These flaws can help the player feel they are progressing in the game and will eventually overcome these obstacles.

Environments

The environments in a game surround the characters and objects that are part of the gameplay. These include the stoic mountains framing a scene’s background, abandoned buildings you explore in search of supplies, or the ground your avatar walks on — all modular pieces of an immersive world created by environment artists.

To create these environments, environment artists use 3D modeling software. Modeling is an integral part of the process because it allows artists to make sure everything in a 3D world is appropriately scaled and placed and that all the elements function and react according to the game’s universe.

Creating environments also requires skills in computer science and web design. Technical knowledge can be helpful when transferring artwork from paper to digital software, and it can help you troubleshoot problems that arise during the production of your designs.

Music

Music is an essential element in a game that drives the narrative and makes it more engaging. It transforms a video game from an activity into an immersive and unforgettable experience.

The soundtracks to games have changed over the years, and now composers are working harder than ever to create unforgettable and powerful music. They are experimenting with adaptive music, which changes dynamically to fit the player’s actions and choices in the game.

Composers often use cultural references in their soundtracks, mainly if the game occurs in a particular culture or period. 

Scalar models – musical sequences, melodic fragments, scales, and rhythmic patterns commonly found in a particular type of music – can also be used significantly in in-game soundtracks. These references can be challenging to identify without close study, although some composers can use them effectively.

Music in video games is often licensed like in film and television, requiring developers to secure synchronization and master use licenses from the music publisher. Bands and artists who want to get their music into video games must be aware of these licensing requirements and ensure they have access to various file formats.

Sound Effects

Sound is a vital part of the gaming experience, bringing the virtual world to life and evoking an emotional response in players. From the roar of an explosion to a gunshot or the whine of a high-rpm engine, sound effects are critical to the enjoyment of any game.

The sounds in a game interact with each other in exciting ways. Adding a sound to another will generally result in reinforcement or cancellation, depending on how the waves interact.

As a sound designer, you can create your own or purchase sounds from online libraries that specialize in video games. You can also use virtual instruments like synths and sound expansions that will give your video game a unique sound.

Sound effects are some of game artists’ most challenging and creative assets. You must learn to blend, modulate and balance them for the best results. It requires a strong understanding of how your game will play, primarily players’ actions and reactions. Doing many iterations and tests to get your audio right would be best.