Art and Game Development: A Case Study in Dishonored, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Disco Elysium

Contents:

• Dishonored
• Red Dead Redemption 2

The visual style of a video game is often influenced by various artistic movements, including cinema, architecture, and other games. In addition, fantasy works that depict unusual imagery also have a significant influence on the creation of game worlds. However, one of the most powerful sources of inspiration for game artists is painting. Artistic techniques, color palettes, and compositional solutions borrowed from painting help create a unique atmosphere that immerses players in the gameplay. Thus, painting plays a key role in shaping the visual language of video games, creating vivid and memorable images.

Many games feature references to famous works of art, but we will look at three that stand out for their vivid and memorable visual style: Dishonored, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Disco Elysium. Yaroslav Kravtsov, an independent developer, media artist, and co-founder of Workshop 15, will assist us in analyzing the artistic aspects of video games.

Dishonored

The stealth action game Dishonored takes place in a unique world where elements of Victorian England and the fantastical motifs of steampunk and dieselpunk are harmoniously intertwined. Players are immersed in the grimy streets of the capital, where whaling and the plague reign supreme. At the same time, the game world is populated by mechanical carriages, robotic exoskeletons, and electric barriers, creating a contrast between the traditional and the technological. This captivating setting not only draws players in but also underscores the uniqueness of the gameplay, inviting players to explore dark and mysterious locations.

Arkane Studios, the developer of Dishonored, strove to create a unique art style where all elements would be harmonious and cohesive. This was achieved largely through the use of paintings as references, which helped create an atmosphere that immerses the player in the game's dark and captivating world.

Arkane Studios is known for creating original game universes where the aesthetic of each project remains unique. During development, we draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including painting, photography, real-world cities and cultures, fashion, literature, animation, and visual effects. Despite the diversity of ideas, the game's style is formed early on, allowing us to create unique settings and characters. The chosen visual style sets the tone for all other elements of the game, ensuring the integrity and atmosphere of the gaming experience.

Sébastien Mitton is the art director at Arkane Studios, known for his work on games that stand out for their unique art style and deep gameplay. Under his leadership, such projects as Dishonored and Prey were created, which received acclaim from both critics and players. Mitton actively influences the visual component of the games, creating unforgettable worlds and characters that immerse players in gripping stories. His approach to design and attention to detail make Arkane games unique in the world of video games.

The design of the world of the game Dishonored was developed by the Bulgarian artist Viktor Antonov, who previously worked on the iconic game Half-Life 2. In this shooter from Valve, he created the architecture of City 17 and the technology of the Combine. While developing the Arkane action game, Viktor Antonov also designed the vehicle visuals and contributed to the creation of every level. His unique style and attention to detail made the world of Dishonored truly memorable and atmospheric.

To create a unique work, it is necessary to minimize industry influences. While designing Dishonored, I avoided watching films and games, preferring to draw inspiration from paintings, sculptures, photography, and literature. With so many sequels, this approach helps avoid clichés and templates. To convey a unique atmosphere, I studied photographs and paintings from the 1920s, as well as the works of American illustrators such as Norman Rockwell and Dean Cornwell. My goal was to make players forget they are interacting with a video game. The design was meant to feel like a painting stepped off a canvas, creating a unique and memorable experience for each player.

Viktor Antonov gave an interview to Game Informer in 2012, in which he shared his views on the video game industry and the process of creating game worlds. He discussed his experience working on projects such as Half-Life 2 and the importance of atmosphere in games. Antonov noted that attention to detail and environmental design play a key role in creating an immersive gaming experience. He also discussed the influence of art design on the perception of a game, emphasizing that the visual style and narrative must be seamlessly integrated. This interview became an important contribution to the understanding of the artistic approach to game development and inspired many developers to create unique game universes.

Norman Rockwell is a renowned artist and illustrator who created numerous covers for The Saturday Evening Post. Published since 1821, the magazine is considered one of the most accurate reflections of American life. Rockwell designed 321 covers for the publication, making his name inextricably linked with one of the most popular magazines in the United States. Over the course of his career, he created approximately four thousand works of art. Rockwell's work continues to inspire countless creatives, including singer Lana Del Rey, who in 2019 released the album "Norman Fucking Rockwell!", named after the famous artist. Rockwell remains a significant figure in American culture, and his work continues to influence art and media.

Dean Cornwell, mentioned by Antonov, was a distinguished artist whose work graced the pages of such renowned magazines as The American Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and The Red Book. His illustrations not only attracted attention but also graced the covers of books by famous writers, including Ernest Hemingway. Cornwell also worked on advertising projects for major companies such as General Motors and Coca-Cola. He also left his mark on architecture, painting over twenty famous buildings in the United States, including Rockefeller Center in New York and the Los Angeles Public Library. Cornwell's work demonstrates his mastery and influence on American art and culture.

The character designs for Dishonored were created by concept artist Cedric Peyravernay. He has worked not only with Arkane but also with companies such as Take-Two Interactive, Blizzard, and Netflix. Peyravernay's work is distinguished by a unique style, which he says was influenced by the art of various countries. This original approach to character design helps create memorable visuals and immerse players in the game's atmosphere.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a Western set in the Wild West. When developing the game, the artists strove to convey as realistically as possible the wild landscapes and atmosphere of the late 19th-century frontier. Famous works of art played a significant role in creating the project's visual style, which allowed for a high degree of authenticity and immersion in the atmosphere of that time.

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Painting provides us with a deep understanding of the basics of image perception, composition, and perspective. This knowledge becomes the foundation for working with any visual art, including game creation. By mastering painting techniques, we develop skills that help in creating harmonious and captivating game worlds. Understanding these principles allows designers and artists to create more expressive and memorable visual elements, which ultimately improves the user experience.

Yaroslav Kravtsov is an independent game developer, media artist, and co-founder of Workshop 15. His work spans a wide range of genres and formats, making him a significant figure in the gaming industry and media projects. Kravtsov actively experiments with new technologies and artistic approaches, creating unique gaming products and projects that capture the attention of both players and critics. At Workshop 15, he and a talented team of specialists develop innovative games, striving to make them accessible and interesting for a wide audience.

Owen Shepard, senior lighting artist at Rockstar, drew inspiration from the works of such masters as Rembrandt and William Turner. Red Dead Redemption 2's open-world landscapes were created with 19th-century artistic traditions in mind, including the influence of Albert Bierstadt. This approach allowed the developers to create a visually captivating and atmospheric world that seamlessly blends elements of classical art and modern technology.

The primary method for creating a believable virtual world is to study real-world locations and recreate them in-game. However, individual visual elements, such as lighting, can be inspired by other sources, including painting. The works of 19th-century artists such as William Turner and Albert Bierstadt, as well as landscape painters such as Frank Johnson and Charles Russell, have significantly influenced our artists. Using these artistic techniques helps create a deeper atmosphere and enhance the visual perception of the virtual environment.

Aaron Garbut is Art Director at Rockstar North, a company known for its iconic video games. In his role, he is responsible for the visual design and art direction of projects including the popular Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. Under Garbut's leadership, immersive worlds with high-quality graphics have become one of the hallmarks of Rockstar games. His contribution to the video game industry is invaluable, as he is actively involved in developing the unique style and atmosphere that attracts millions of players around the world.

William Turner strove for new methods of conveying the nuances of sunlight in his works, emphasizing the contrast between light and dark areas. He conveyed the energy and brightness of the sun to canvas using textured oil paint, and created smooth transitions of light using watercolor washes. Turner's work became a major source of inspiration for the French Impressionists, who opened new horizons in painting and changed the concept of light and color in art.

Albert Bierstadt is a prominent figure in the neo-romantic movement, known for his landscapes, which often depicted the Wild West. He also belonged to the Hudson River School, a group of American artists who focused on depicting wilderness, particularly the Hudson River Valley. For Bierstadt and his peers, it was important to convey a sense of scale and grandeur in the unadulterated American wilderness, allowing the viewer to gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and power of the American landscape. His works became emblematic of the Romantic perception of nature and played a significant role in shaping American artistic heritage.

The work of artists such as Turner and Bierstadt significantly influenced the visual style of the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. Their choice of color palette and graphic techniques became the foundation for creating the game's expansive and atmospheric frontier. Inspired by these artists, the developers were able to convey not only the beauty of nature, but also the spirit of the times, which makes the game world more exciting and realistic.