Game design and Development, can be termed as a concept that is completely based on a person’s imaginative and creativity skills. It’s an integral part of game development that will include the game content and the pre-production stage. A game designer should possess both artistic and technical skills, and need to target on the end-user. The third dimension gives the artist as well the end audience a distinct and different perspective of visuals being displayed. The 3D Game offers a near to life experience to the audience due to the terrain and the character movement, which is unrestricted in 3D unlike the 2D games.
3D Game Design involves lot of professionals that include – 3D designers, artists, and developers. To create a specific model or character, there are four basic steps involved – Conception, Modeling, Animation, and Final details.
- Concept Art: One of the most important and key steps involved in this 3D game development process is the Concept art. It is the process to analyze and build the 3D model. The sketch of the model or object is designed to provide a near life similarity. The Concept Artist gives the artistic style and keeps up the style throughout the story line.
- Modeling of 3D Game Animation: Modeling is the next key factor in 3D animation, as it gives specifics regarding the polygon count. A rough model is primarily created with a low polygon count. This is to avoid multiple edges and it gives a basic shape to the model developed. One of the best Modeling tools used by the designers is the 3DS Max.
- How to Animate?: Animating the object or character is the most challenging and crucial part which will give life to the game. Based on the game requirements, the riggers and the animators will include a third dimension to the model. Each of the movement created for the character need to be animated separately and ultimately put together as a single collection. Autodesk Maya, is one of the premiere 3D animation software mostly used by the animators. Upon completing the animation it is sent to the main artists for final touch.
The fine detailing and texturing provide the final artists give the model real life touch. The fine detailing can provide the model with features like – specific human look, facial detailing or even more. One of the biggest challenges for a final artist is bringing down the polygon count without losing the final texture of the model. Adding the polygon count creates memory issues and leaves the gamer with less device memory. The Final Detailing also requires feedback at a regular pace so that he can create an exceptional model.
- Role of the Programmers: The game programmers also play a vital role as that of the game artists in a game design. The codes and scripts are made by these programmers for the game. Most 3D Game Design software will include its scripting. These scripts are linked to specific characters for the movement and various levels in the game. With the help of multiple testing the bugs can be fixed. The feedback can be utilized to enhance the final game.