This document discusses different graphical styles used in video games and how color theory relates to each style. It describes the four main graphical styles: photorealism, which aims to make games look realistic; cel-shaded, which mimics comics; exaggeration, which amplifies character features; and abstract, represented by puzzle games. Each style uses color to set certain moods - photorealism and exaggeration use dark colors for seriousness while cel-shaded and abstract use bright colors for fun. Examples are given of games representing each style.

1. Unit 13 – Assignment 2
Harley Jones 12c
This presentation will introduce graphical styles, the colour
theory and how it relates to graphical styles in games.
Graphic styles and themes

2. There are four main graphic styles used in video
games that I will be discussing, these are:
1. Photorealism
2. Abstract
3. Cel-Shaded
4. Exaggeration

3. Colour theory
Colour theory is colour mixing and the visual effects of specific
colour combination. There are also definitions of colours based
on the colour wheel: primary colour, secondary colour and
tertiary colour.

4. Primary Colours
Primary colors are red, blue and yellow. These three colours are the most basic
colors on the colour wheel. They cannot be made from any other colors but all
other colors on the colour wheel are made from them. They are commonly used
together to attract attention, such as children’s products.
Secondary Colours
Secondary colours are green, orange and purple. They are formed by mixing
equal amounts of the two primary colours that are beside them on the colour
wheel. For example, green is made from mixing blue and yellow. They can be
used together to create a nicely balanced colour scheme.
Tertiary Colours
Tertiary colors are blue-green, yellow-green, yellow-orange, red-orange, red-
purple and blue-purple. They are formed by mixing a primary colour and a
secondary colour together. For example, blue-green is made from mixing blue
and green. Tertiary colours help create a wider colour palette.

6. Colour perception
Colour perception is the ability of an organism or machine to
identify objects based on the wavelengths of the light they reflect,
emit and transmit. Colours can be measured and quantified in
various different ways. Different people see the same illuminated
object or light source in different ways.

7. Effect of colour
The colour circle can be divided into warm and cool colours.
Warm colours are vivid and energetic, and tend to advance in space.
Cool colours give an impression of calm, and create a soothing impression. White,
black and gray are considered to be neutral.
Tints, Shades, and Tones are terms often used incorrectly, although they describe
fairly simple colour concepts. If a colour is made lighter by adding white, the
result is called a tint. If black is added, the darker version is called a shade. And if
gray is added, the result is a different tone.

8. Colour theory related to game
Colour theory reflects on the mood of the game, bright colours can
represent a fun cartoon look and dark colours can represent a dark a gritty
look. These reflect on the mood of the game and give the impression of
what type of game it is.
For example, the image below shows a bright and colourful setting with
bright characters. This is used to show what mood the game is and how it
should make the player feel, enjoyable, fun and not to be taken as serious
as other games. However, the game shown on the right uses dark and
gloomy colours to show the seriousness of the game. This gives the
impression to the gamer that this is a dark game that should be played
seriously.

9. Overall, colour theory has a big role in games in terms of creating specific
moods and feelings for the gamer which is important to show what type of
game it is.

10. Photorealism
Photorealism is an art style which is based on using cameras and
photographs to gather visual information and then from this creating a
painting that appears to be photographic.

11. In games, photorealistic graphics is used to make the game look as
realistic as possible for the user. This is because the creators want the
gamers to feel more involved in the game by making it look as realistic
as possible.
Many games that use this particular style are mostly action and shooter
games. These are games such as Crysis 3, Call of Duty franchise, Grand
theft Auto franchise.

12. Crysis 3
Crysis 3 is a fictional sci-fi shooter and has photorealistic graphics. This is because
the creators want to make this fictional world feel real to the gamers as if it could be
possible. They have also used this to make the gamers feel more involved in the
game when it comes to action and shooting. This is to make them feel like they’re in
the game shooting aliens.
The game uses dark colours to show the tone of the game, being dark. This is
commonly used to make the game look realistic. Bright colours would make the
game look like a cartoon and the idea of the game would not be effective.

13. Call of Duty franchise
Call of Duty is a fictional shooter game based on warfare that uses photorealistic
graphics. This is used to make the gamer feel like he is in the middle of a war zone.
These graphics are effective because it makes the experience for the user more real
and gives them more involvement in the game. They also bring alive what its like to
be in an environment like this which is important because the game uses settings like
this throughout the story and would need to use a variety of different details.
Again, dark and gloomy colours are used such as black, grey and brown to make the
photorealistic graphics effective.

14. Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto is a open world fictional shooter that uses photorealistic graphics.
These graphics are mainly used to make the open world look believable and real to
play in as well as making the shooting and action real.
There is a lot of detail used to bring the environment and characters to life, this is
because the creators want gamers to be involved with the game and characters as
they seem real and believable.

15. Overall, I think photorealistic graphics are mostly used for shooters and
RPG open world games. This is because these are the most appropriate
graphics that would enforce the idea of making the game realistic and
believable to the users.
Photorealistic graphics bring detail for environments and characters
which is vital to make the players experience real.
The colours used for this game are mainly dark and detailed shades to
create a realistic environment for the player.

16. Cel-Shaded
Cel shading is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed
to make 3-D computer graphics appear to be flat.

17. Cel-shading is often used to mimic the style of a comic book or cartoon. This will make it
more playful for the gamer and will know that it isn’t to be taken seriously.
Games that use this graphic style are often games like: The Simpsons game, Crackdown
and Borderlands.

18. The Simpsons Game
The Simpsons Game has used Cel-Shaded graphics for the main purpose of creating
the same look as the cartoon television series.
The cel-shaded graphics are an imitation of the original cartoon ‘The Simpsons’,
this is used to give the same comical, fun mood and feel from the series. By using
these graphics show a fictional fantasy world that is upbeat and fun which
shouldn’t be taken as seriously as others.

19. Borderlands
Borderlands is a open world shooter game that uses Cel-shaded graphics.
The graphics use the same style of a comic book or manga cartoon. The idea
of cartoon looking graphics give the impression of a fantasy world that of
course isn’t real and anything is possible in the situation of the game.
This shows the gamer that it isn't as realistic as other games and is fun and
should be enjoyed.
The bright colours inflict a upbeat mood to the setting and characters to
represent the style of a cartoon.

20. Crackdown
Crackdown is a fictional open world shooter game that uses Cel-shaded graphics.
Again, this is to show that this a fictional world that isn’t supposed give the
impression that it is real. The game shows explosive images such as this one
which shows it in some ways exaggerates the action throughout the gameplay
which is similar to comics.
Bright colours are used to show how unreal the world is and gives the mood of
being upbeat and fun.

21. Overall, I think Cel-shaded graphics are used to represent a cartoon looking style
which shows it is an unreal world that shouldn’t be taken as serious as others.
The style and colours of Cel-shaded graphics give a fun and upbeat feel for gamers
because this shows how unrealistic the game is even if it is a open world shooter
game.
I think the main genre of this game could be any because Cel-shaded graphics are
mainly used to elaborate that something isn't real and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
However, Cel-shaded graphics are common in fighting games such as Street Fighter. I
think is is to show that the fighting shouldn’t be taken seriously and is exaggerated.

22. Exaggeration
This type of graphic style is highly exaggerated in terms
of characters and weapons etc.

23. In these games the people are made to look much bigger than they would in the real
world, In a lot of cases the muscles that a person has are usually Exaggerated to make
the character appear stronger and more leader like. In other cases Hair of the
characters can be really exaggerated, examples of these are Manga games.
Games that use this style are games such as Dragonball-Z, Final Fantasy and Gears of
War.

24. Gears of War franchise
Gears of War is a third person shooter that uses exaggerated graphics. In this
game the weaponry and armor is exaggerated to show strength and power in
the characters to be able to carry such big weapons.
Amongst the dark colours used in the game, the exaggerated characters make
the gamers feel safe and in power being able to control them even though the
dark colours represent the game as being gloomy and dangerous.

25. Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy is a RPG game that uses exaggerated graphics. Again, these
are used to exaggerate the characters strength and ability by giving them
huge weapons. This makes the gamer feel in control and have power. The
exaggeration allows the gamer to be involved in a fantasy world that
shouldn’t be taken as serious as other games.
The games colours are bright and playful which set a fun mood.

26. Dragonball-Z
Dragonball-z is a fictional fighting game that uses exaggerated graphics to
enhance characters appearance such as size, muscular strength and ability. By
doing this shows the style of the game and how serious it is, and also effects
the mood of the player. The player would feel strong and have power over the
opponents that they have to face.
The bright colours bring out the fun of the game and show it shouldn’t be
taken seriously.

27. Abstract
Abstract art uses a visual language of form, colour and line to create a
composition.

28. This style is mainly used for puzzle games such as Pacman.

29. Pacman
Pacman is a puzzle game that uses abstract graphics.
The colours used in the game for the enemies are bright to show it is playful
for all ages. However, the dark background represents the danger in the
game which shows the gamer to be cautious. This gives the impression to
the gamer that it is a playful game that keeps you on edge.

30. Space Invaders
Space Invaders is a puzzle game that uses abstract graphics.
The colours used in the game for the enemies are bright to show make them
clearly visible from the dark background. However, the dark background
represents the danger in the game which shows the gamer to be aware. This
gives the impression to the gamer that it is a playful game that keeps you alert.

31. Overall, abstract graphics are mainly used for puzzle games and use the colours to
specifically give the player an effective mood when playing.

32. Conclusion
In conclusion, I have now covered all the aspects of colour theory and
how it reflects on games. I have found that colour plays an important
role in games as it effects the mood of the whole game and player
experience.
I have also given detailed descriptions of three games from each art
style and the effective moods they create which has allowed me to
discuss what game genres would be most common in these particular
art styles.