#06 - The Game Design Hack You Need! 💥🤫
Hey there,
Have you ever thought about how a game can speak to you without words?
It comes down to how the game non-verbally communicates its design.
In this newsletter, let's dive into how VFX is much more than eye candy - it's a crucial language of game design. Understanding this as a VFX Artist will not only help you think like a designer, but it will also shape your creative vision for the next VFX you craft!
VFX: A Language of Gameplay 🕹️
At its core, VFX are game design signals. Much like a book uses words to tell a story - games use VFX to communicate key elements of design. These effects guide the player's attention, inform them of game mechanics, state changes and most importantly - shape the overall experience.
Think about the last time you played a game. When a character used a special ability, how did you know what was happening? Was it some bright intense glow charging up? Was it the additional impact of the weapon hitting the ground? These visual cues ensure players stay immersed while keeping them aware of their actions.
VFX: A Language of Priorities 📊
Have you noticed how some VFX stand out more than others? That’s because VFX prioritizes attention through hierarchy.
For eg: when playing Call of Duty, you might see a muzzle flash from your gun. But - are you focusing on that flash? Or on the enemy in front of you? Good VFX enhances game feel - it helps you prioritize the important things; like enemy threats, while subtly communicating the action of the player (the flash of the gun) without distracting you.
When VFX is too loud or flashy, it competes for your attention, muddling your gameplay experience. That’s why clarity, balance and priority in your VFX are key.
VFX: A Language of Lessons 👀
Good VFX help players understand cause & effect. Think of how VFX in FPS games communicate when an attack lands through hit impacts or when an item of special rarity is waiting to be picked up.
Creating a shared VFX language across your game not only makes things easier for players, but it also gives your game a unique identity. Remember, consistency in VFX is powerful!
Your Next Step 🌟
As you start to craft VFX, ask yourself: How can your VFX help enhance clarity and game mechanics? What consistent visual cues tie the gameplay experience together? What story am I telling with this effect? Keep experimenting, keep learning and keep creating!!
PS: 🚨 Join TheFXFrontier Discord - Connect, share knowledge, get feedback and grow with fellow VFX artists. Copy-paste this in your browser if the link doesn’t work: https://discord.gg/CRkCKUpH8R
Thanks for reading!
