Game genres can be a great starting point when establishing the visual identity of your game. The genre of your game can help guide design decisions, such as the colour palette, typography, and overall visual style. In this article, we will discuss the most common game genres and their associated visual identities.
Action
Action games are fast-paced and require quick reflexes from players. They often feature intense combat, explosions, and high-stakes action. The visual identity of action games typically includes bold and bright colours, sharp and angular typography, and high-contrast visuals. Examples of action games include Call of Duty, Doom, and Devil May Cry.
Adventure
Adventure games are all about exploration, discovery, and puzzle-solving. The visual identity of adventure games is often inspired by the game’s setting, which can range from ancient ruins to futuristic cities. Adventure games typically feature a warm colour palette, organic typography, and detailed environments. Examples of adventure games include Tomb Raider, Uncharted, and The Legend of Zelda.
Platformer
Platformer games are all about jumping and running through levels, collecting power-ups, and defeating enemies. The visual identity of platformer games is typically bright and colourful, with bold and playful typography. The environments are often cartoony and whimsical, with a strong focus on character design. Examples of platformer games include Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog, and Donkey Kong.
Puzzle
Puzzle games are all about problem-solving and logic. The visual identity of puzzle games is typically clean and minimalist, with a focus on simple shapes and icons. The colour palette is often muted, with soft pastels and neutral tones. Examples of puzzle games include Tetris, Candy Crush, and Monument Valley.
Action-Adventure
Action-adventure games combine elements of both action and adventure games. They often feature combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving. The visual identity of action-adventure games can vary widely depending on the game’s setting and story. They often feature a mix of bold and bright colours with muted and atmospheric visuals. Examples of action-adventure games include The Last of Us, Assassin’s Creed, and Batman: Arkham.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
Role-playing games are all about character development, story-telling, and decision-making. The visual identity of RPGs often reflects the game’s setting and story, which can range from medieval fantasy to post-apocalyptic wastelands. RPGs often feature a warm colour palette, detailed environments, and ornate typography. Examples of RPGs include The Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy, and Mass Effect.
Simulation Games
Simulation games are all about recreating real-life experiences, such as driving, farming, or managing a city. The visual identity of simulation games often reflects the game’s setting, with a focus on realism and attention to detail. Simulation games typically feature a muted colour palette, with a focus on realistic typography and user interfaces. Examples of simulation games include SimCity, Farming Simulator, and Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Sports Games
Sports games are all about recreating the excitement and drama of real-life sports, such as football, basketball, or soccer. The visual identity of sports games often features bold and bright colours, with a focus on player likenesses and team branding. The typography is often inspired by sports jerseys and team logos. Examples of sports games include FIFA, NBA 2K, and Madden NFL.
Strategy Games
Strategy games are all about planning and managing resources, whether it’s armies, cities, or civilizations. These games often involve a lot of decision-making and require players to think critically about their choices. Strategy games can be divided into two sub-genres: turn-based strategy and real-time strategy.
Turn-based strategy games require players to take turns making moves, allowing for more thoughtful and strategic decision-making. Popular examples of turn-based strategy games include Civilization and XCOM.
Real-time strategy games, on the other hand, are played in real-time, requiring players to make quick decisions and manage resources on the fly. Popular examples of real-time strategy games include StarCraft and Age of Empires.
Conclusion: Fusing Genre and Theme Styles
The key to creating a unique visual identity for your game is to fuse the styles of your chosen genre and theme. For example, if you’re making a post-apocalyptic action game, you may want to use a desaturated color palette to reflect the bleak and desperate setting, but also incorporate high-tech design elements to reflect the game’s action-oriented gameplay.
It’s important to remember that the visual identity of your game is not just about making it look pretty. It’s about communicating the essence of your game to your players and creating a cohesive and memorable experience. By defining your game’s theme and genre, conducting thorough research, and creating a comprehensive style guide, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a consistent design language for your game.
