When it comes to creating a game, defining the theme and genre is a critical first step in establishing a visual identity that will guide your design decisions. The theme sets the tone and creates a consistent look and feel that will resonate with your audience. In this article, we’ll discuss different game themes and how to use them to create a consistent design language.
Medieval Fantasy
One popular game theme is medieval fantasy, which typically involves knights, dragons, and castles. When designing a game with a medieval fantasy theme, the colour palette should include earthy tones like brown and green, along with brighter jewel tones like red and gold. Typography should be reminiscent of old world manuscripts, with serifs and calligraphy-inspired fonts. Use textures that mimic stone, metal, and leather to create an authentic medieval atmosphere.
Post-Apocalyptic
Another popular theme is post-apocalyptic, which usually involves a dystopian world that has been ravaged by disaster. The colour palette for post-apocalyptic games should include muted, desaturated colours like grey, brown, and olive green. Typography should be simple and bold, with sans-serif fonts that convey a sense of strength and resilience. Use textures that suggest decay and destruction, like rusted metal and cracked concrete.
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk games typically involve a futuristic world where technology has advanced to a point where it has become a dominant force in society. The colour palette for cyberpunk games should include neon bright like pink, purple, and blue, combined with darker, cooler tones like black and grey. Typography should be modern and sleek, with sans-serif fonts that convey a sense of high-tech sophistication. Use textures that suggest the polished surfaces of technology, like brushed metal and reflective glass.
Space Exploration
For games that take place in space, the colour palette should be dark and dramatic, with deep blues and blacks punctuated by bright whites and metallic silver. Typography should be simple and futuristic, with sans-serif fonts that convey a sense of precision and scientific discovery. Use textures that suggest the rugged terrain of planets and moons, like craters and rocky surfaces.
Superheroes
Superhero games are popular and often involve a bright, bold colour palette that reflects the characters’ costumes. The colour palette should include primary colours like red, blue, and yellow, along with secondary colours like green and purple. Typography should be bold and dynamic, with sans-serif fonts that convey a sense of action and excitement. Use textures that suggest the larger-than-life nature of superheroes, like bright flashes of light and dramatic lines.
Horror
Horror games are all about creating a sense of fear and dread in the player. The visual identity for a horror game should reflect the tone and mood of the game, with dark, foreboding colours and eerie imagery. A monochromatic colour palette with accents of red or green can create a sense of unease and terror. The typography should be bold and impactful, but not too playful, as it can detract from the game’s overall tone. Images of monsters, ghosts, and other scary creatures can be used in the UI design to create a creepy atmosphere.
Pirate
Pirate games are all about adventure on the high seas. The visual identity for a pirate game should reflect the swashbuckling nature of the game, with a colour palette that includes shades of blue, green, and brown. The typography should be bold and rugged, with a distressed texture that evokes the feeling of an old treasure map. Images of ships, treasure chests, and other pirate paraphernalia can be used in the UI design to create a sense of adventure and excitement.
Western games
Western games are all about the wild west, with cowboys, gunslingers, and rugged landscapes. The visual identity for a western game should reflect the gritty nature of the genre, with a colour palette that includes earthy tones such as brown, green, and beige. The typography should be bold and rugged, with a rough texture that evokes the feeling of an old wanted poster. Images of cowboy hats, guns, and horses can be used in the UI design to create a sense of the old west.
Steampunk
Steampunk games are all about combining Victorian era technology with science fiction. The visual identity for a steampunk game should reflect the retro-futuristic nature of the genre, with a colour palette that includes brass, copper, and other metallic tones. The typography should be ornate and elaborate, with a vintage feel that evokes the time period. Images of gears, clockwork mechanisms, and steam-powered machines can be used in the UI design to create a sense of industrial revolution.
Summary
In conclusion, defining the theme of your game is the first step in establishing a visual identity. The visual elements of your game should reflect the tone and mood of the game, with a colour palette, typography, and imagery that is appropriate for the genre. By creating a consistent design language, you can ensure that your game’s visual identity is memorable and recognizable to players.
