Hi, I'm Marc Vilarnau, owner of Bisuala. Recently, I came across an intriguing article by Zachary Small in the New York Times, available here, discussing how the gaming industry's bet on hyper-realistic graphics is becoming a costly endeavor. It inspired me to reflect on what makes visuals—and games as a whole—truly great. The answer, for me, lies in a delicate balance: blending excellent game design, stunning visuals, and accessibility.
The Shift in Visual Trends
For years, the race for photorealism has driven game development. Studios pour massive budgets into achieving lifelike graphics, but as Zachary Small pointed out, this approach isn’t always sustainable. High production costs don't guarantee high returns, and they often push smaller studios to explore more creative alternatives.
Games like the Monument Valley saga have shown the power of unique, stylized visuals. These games have captivated audiences not with realism, but with a strong artistic direction that resonates emotionally with players. The saga, a financial success as noted by Pocket Gamer, reminds us that visuals don’t need to mimic reality—they need to elevate the gaming experience.
Defining Great Visuals and Games
In my opinion, what makes a game truly great is its ability to harmonize three elements:
Game Design: A perfect balance between engaging gameplay and a compelling narrative. Players should feel immersed in a world that invites exploration, challenge, and emotional connection.
Great Art: This goes beyond visuals to include animation, motion design, and sound design. Together, they form the overall artistic direction that sets the tone and enhances the storytelling. The Monument Valley saga proves that memorable art doesn’t require AAA budgets—they require creativity.
Performance on Low-Budget Devices: A game should be accessible not only in terms of availability but also in its ability to run smoothly on a wide range of devices. The Monument Valley games, for instance, excel in bringing their stunning design and immersive experiences to mobile platforms, ensuring they perform well even on low-budget devices.
The Role of Motion Design
At Bisuala, we focus on motion design because we believe it’s a cornerstone of creating immersive experiences. Motion design adds life to visuals, guides players through complex interfaces, and creates moments of delight. It’s a cost-effective way to elevate the player’s experience without investing heavily in photorealism. It’s the kind of creative thinking that can also help studios adapt to an increasingly challenging industry landscape.
The Current State of the Gaming Industry
Speaking of challenges, the gaming industry is at a crossroads. The push for hyper-realistic graphics has not only increased production costs but has also contributed to a wave of layoffs at AAA studios. Major names like Epic Games, Blizzard, and Ubisoft have faced significant cuts, often citing financial pressures. It’s a stark reminder that even the biggest players are not immune to the consequences of unsustainable budgets and the need to adapt to changing market demands.
At the same time, indie studios are thriving by leveraging creative visuals, streamlined production pipelines, and niche audiences. They’re proving that you don’t need a blockbuster budget to create a game that players adore.
A New Vision for Games
As a designer and studio owner, I believe the future of gaming lies in rethinking how we define greatness. The industry needs to focus on making games that are beautiful, fun, and accessible. By shifting the focus away from chasing photorealism, we can explore creative new directions and make games that resonate with players on a deeper level.
Case Study: Astro Bot's Success
A prime example of this new vision is Astro Bot, developed by Team Asobi. Despite being a relatively small team, they created a game that was both announced and released within the same year. Astro Bot offers a concise yet impactful gameplay experience, which has been highly praised by critics. Its success culminated in winning the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2024.
This achievement underscores that a game doesn't need a massive budget or extended development time to make a significant impact. By focusing on innovative game design, cohesive art direction, and efficient production, Astro Bot exemplifies how smaller teams can compete with industry giants.
Conclusion
Great games don’t need to be the most realistic or expensive—they need to be memorable. They need to strike the right balance between gameplay, art, and accessibility. As the industry faces new challenges, motion design offers a way forward, providing immersive experiences without the high cost of photorealism.
At Bisuala Studio, we’re passionate about helping studios find this balance. If you’re looking to explore how motion design can elevate your game, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s create something unforgettable together.
Comments