About the Creation of a Video Game Background
What is the first thing you notice when start playing a new game? Most surely, it is the video game background with a main character against this image. The menu with the navigation also shows the key art or gif screen of the game that you can appreciate before hitting the “Start” or “Play” buttons. Since such backgrounds heavily affect the first impressions of the game, they are quite important to think and work at.
The BandurArt team’s expert 2D and 3D artists can create unforgettable video game backgrounds for indie projects and AAA titles. We continue to inspire aspiring devs and want to share some thoughts about this aspect of game development.
The Video Game Background Evolution
Early Days: 8-Bit and Pixel Art Backgrounds
Let’s go back in time to when it all began-the golden era of gaming, known as the 8-bit era. Technical resources were reasonably scarce for game developers during those days. Every byte of memory counted and each pixel was important. Due to such scarcity and lack, they designed some of the most iconic retro video game backgrounds that still echo today.
For example, take the Mario video game background from the original Super Mario Bros. The very few clouds, rolling hills, and repeating bricks were not just random designs, per se-they were meant to be tread with precision to create a sense of adventure and wonder. The pixel video game background became a canvas where imagination filled in the gaps left by technological limits.
Early designers of video games had quite a challenge in front of them. Working with a limited color palette and low-resolution screens, they couldn’t rely on detailed graphics. So they got creative. Repeating patterns with bold colors designed environments to feel significantly larger and more engaging. Ironically, these limitations brought the innovative solutions that defined the aesthetics of an entire generation.
Here is a list of notable games with iconic pixel backgrounds:
- The original Super Mario Bros. introduced the world to the Mushroom Kingdom, replete with simple, unforgettable landscapes;
- While the original The Legend of Zelda promised a huge, open world full of secrets, all in attractively cartoonish 8-bit graphics;
- Metroid crafted an eerie atmosphere out of dark, extraterrestrial environs, really challenging the console;
These games can be an example if you want to create an 8-bit video game background for an epic adventure. Most of retro-style video game background images were not just a backdrop but an integral part of the gameplay experience.
Transition to 2D and 3D Backgrounds
With the development of game art technology, so too were the opportunities for backgrounds of games. The leap from 8-bit systems to 16-bit resulted in detailed and colorful 2D video game backgrounds. Now, developers have the chance to create richer environments with a bigger depth and complexity.
Then came the revolutionary shift to 3D backgrounds in video games. Games such as Doom and Super Mario 64 changed everything. For the first time in history, players could move around freely in 3D space, exploring worlds that felt very realistic. But this transition wasn’t just about better graphics – it fundamentally changed game design and player immersion.
The Importance of Using a Video Game Background
Backgrounds aren’t just pretty – they impact how we experience the game. They help to guide us in a new gaming world, especially during the first hours.
A cool video game background does wonders. It drags you into the universe of your game; every action seems part of a story. Also, a top-notch video game background can often unconsciously move you in the right direction. They can also show objectives and hint at secret paths, sometimes warning you against a danger that may come up.
This is why aspiring game artists should learn how to develop awesome video game background art, images, and assets. A quality video game background:
- Helps to understand context and setting;
- Sets the location and game’s time;
- Drives the emotions of the player;
- Gives impressions about the game’s atmosphere and mood – the color palette, lighting, or just scenery;
- Helps tell a story;
Backgrounds really help to set the mood for each and every level or scene that will affect how you feel while playing. For example, you see a video game forest background after launching a new title. A bright, sunlit forest with chirping birds sets a very peaceful and adventurous mood. On the other hand, if the forest is dark and shadowy with twisted trees, combined with eerie sounds, then the atmosphere is bound to become tense and foreboding.
The importance of backgrounds becomes prominent in many genres, such as horror and adventure. For example, the creepy mansions of “Resident Evil 1” and the deserted streets of “Resident Evil 2” make a player really feel fearful and anxious. These backgrounds are more than just a setting – they promote emotional experiences.
Another great example is “Limbo” which uses black and white visuals in its atmospheric backgrounds to convey feelings of isolation and mystery. The minimalist design leaves much to the imagination, drawing players deeper into this gruesome experience.
One of the easiest ways for game developers and artists such as BandurArt to master this art of atmospheric video game backgrounds is to work at their atmospheric effects. A well-chosen background sets the scenery for unforgettable moments in gameplay and proves visuals to be just as important as any gameplay mechanics.
You can check the following video that explains the importance of video game background images and other visual assets for the completely game development.
The Best Examples with Video Game Backgrounds
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Setting new standards for open-world environments, the backgrounds of this game change from dense video game forest backgrounds to detailed war-torn landscapes. How to make a large world without giving up on detail was a problem. To make sure gameplay ran smoothly, CD Projekt Red used the resourceful streaming tech to load assets.
- Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Games really outdid themselves when it came to creating such an atmospheric masterpiece. The day and night cycles, along with dynamic weather, will affect the gameplay and mood. One huge challenge for the developers was creating these detailed environments and running them smoothly on current-gen hardware. Through heavy optimization and advanced rendering techniques, this goal has been achieved in stunning visual form without any performance hiccups.
- Horizon Zero Dawn
Guerrilla Games designed a world wherein nature clashes with machines. From ancient ruins to lush landscapes overgrown with mechanical beasts – every video game background speaks volumes. It was no easy task to balance organic things with technological items, but the attention to detail paid off within this immersive experience both beautiful and haunting.
These examples explain how developers of AAA overcome issues like hardware limitations and innovative requirements. They push boundaries to make backgrounds not just simple backdrops but one of the integral parts of the gaming experience. All that to make players feel like they’re “there”, and that is magic.
Join the Reddit discussion where gamers discuss the importance of a good video game background. You may learn a lot about the perception.
Things to Consider When Creating a Video Game Background
Color Theory
Color is not just about making your game look good; it is a powerful tool to influence exactly how players feel about and interact with your world. The right color choices within your video game background images set the mood, guide emotions, and even affect decisions in gameplay.
For example, such colors as shades of blue and green can be used to put a person in a state of calm and trust, offering a sense of home in so-called “safe zones” or generally tranquil environments.
On the other end of the spectrum, warm colors like shades of red and orange make you feel agitated and insecure – a good palette for showing highly intense moments or even boss battles.
Check the following reference table on color palettes and their associated emotions:
| Color | Emotion/Effect |
| Blue | Calm, trust |
| Red | Danger, urgency |
| Green | Safety, coziness, growth |
| Yellow | Happiness, alertness |
| Purple | Fantasy, mystery |
| Orange | Excitement, energy |
Principles of Composition
It is equally important in the design of a video game background is the understanding of composition. Appropriate composition techniques draw the eye to salient points of the scene. They are:
- Rule of Thirds. Mentally superimpose a nine-square grid over your scene. Locate key elements on the lines or where they intersect to create balance and interest;
- Leading Lines. Environmental lines lead the player’s eye toward key objects or to specific locations;
- Contrast and Light. Light versus dark to draw attention to certain areas and create the interest;
Detail vs. Performance Balance
Great, it’s good to be able to create breathtaking backgrounds, but when the background is the cause of the overall lag of the game, people aren’t going to stay and pay attention to it. Balancing visual quality with performance is a very critical aspect of background design. High-resolution textures combined with complex models will burden even the strongest systems.
These are the strategies professional developers use to create a 3D video game background:
- Using texture atlases. It works by merging several textures into one image. This reduces the number of texture swaps that the GPU has to do, reducing the render time overall;
- Level of Detail (LOD) techniques implemented. Have several incarnations of your 3D models at different detail levels. The game will automatically switch between these when the player is at a distance to make sure performance is at an optimum without sacrificing close-up visual fidelity;
- Reduce polygon counts in less critical areas. Not all of your background necessarily needs great detail. Well, make the models simpler in places where players wouldn’t really be looking much, which saves resources for big and major features;
Remember – the better a game is optimized, taking into consideration its video game background, the more players will appreciate it. That speaks volumes about professionalism and attention to detail which players and critics alike appreciate.
Tips for Developers to Create an Awesome Video Game Background
- Match the backgrounds to the main game’s theme;
- Your main task is to set the proper mood with high-quality video game backgrounds;
- Be consistent in your artistic style and approach;
- Create the depth with multiple layers like foreground, mid-ground, and background in 2D environments;
- Combine backgrounds with the gameplay’s interface – they should match well to prevent misleading or visually bleak navigation points or icons;
- The same should be considered for different fonts and languages during localization – test how video game backgrounds work for various versions of the game globally;
- Optimization is also important. Video game backgrounds should not slow down the loading speed or smooth gameplay;
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the major steps to create a video game background?
Any video game background needs following conceptualization, where ideas that best fit the theme and storyline in the game are brainstormed among the artists. Next is the sketching and designing stage, where ideas have now become visible drafts. Then there is the digital rendering that adds details, colors, and textures with the help of software. Last but not least, the video game background should be merged with the game engine, optimized for performance, and then tested to make sure it creates the proper gameplay and storytelling experience.
How do artists manage to choose the right style for a game’s background?
Artists choose the style of the background, based on the type of game, story, and audience. 2D/3D artists consider realistic vs. stylistic, color, and cultural inspiration. For example, a retro game might feature a pixel video game background to give the game that old-school feel, while a fantasy game could be replete with bright, almost opulent worlds. The style should complement the game mechanics and allow a player to become part of a game’s world.
What is the commonly used tool and software in background design?
The most well-known applications used by artists include:
- Adobe Photoshop and Krita for 2D backgrounds with digital painting and illustration;
- Pixel art specialists could be more interested in Aseprite because it pays more attention to editing at the pixel level;
- Programs like Blender, Autodesk Maya, and 3DS Max are general standards for modeling and texturing in 3D background design;
- For implementing 3D video game backgrounds, game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine become crucial, as they contain features for real-time rendering and optimization;
Conclusion
From the humblest pixel art beginnings to the breathtaking 3D environments, a top-notch video game background became a critical factor in game design. Video game background images are essential in storytelling, setting up the mood, and enhancing the player’s immersion into the world.
Teams like BandurArt show just how much skill and creativity can go into crafting a world. Developing an appreciation for a video game background is a good trait and skill for a 3D game artist. If you need a professional consultation about 2D/3D art, we are always open to communication with you!
