Game Development - Task 2: Art Asset Development

xx.xx.2024 - xx.xx.2024 / Week 5 - Week 7

IAN CHOO XIN ZHE / 0369451

Game Development / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

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MIB

Task 2: Art Asset Development

Students will be given the task to produce the art asset for their games. This includes characters, environment, items, props, obstacles, power ups and HUD design.

Selecting The Idea

After a recent consultation with Mr. Razif, I got the green light to go forward with my favorite game idea—Chasing Clouds. This is my third concept, and I chose it because I feel it stands out as unique. The idea of Chasing Clouds really speaks to me, as it has the potential to create a dreamy atmosphere through the right game art, vibe, and overall feel.

Once I had my direction set, I began brainstorming the backstory and developing the main character. I wanted to create a narrative that would pull players into the game’s dreamlike world, giving them an experience that feels both whimsical and immersive. This initial stage of developing the story and character foundation was exciting and is setting a strong base for the game’s design going forward.

Backstory

"In the quiet of the night, a young dreamer named Kael slips into a world woven from his own memories, thoughts, and emotions. This world is unlike anything he’s seen—soft, ethereal clouds float in an endless sky, drifting across landscapes of surreal shapes and vibrant colors. Here, every step takes him through fragments of his life, each cloud holding echoes of distant memories and faded hopes.

But Kael isn’t alone. Shadows twist through the dreamscape, forming into dark, watchful nightmares that seek to trap him in an endless sleep. With each leap, he pushes himself closer to the faint sound of his alarm clock, his only guide through this strange and shifting realm.

To make it through, Kael must jump from cloud to cloud, gathering positive thoughts to lift him higher. The more he collects, the stronger his jumps become, helping him rise above the shadows lurking below. Every checkpoint brings him closer to the waking world, but every misstep risks leaving him lost in the endless mist.

Kael’s journey through this dreamscape is not just a race against time—it’s a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Will he awaken to the morning light, or will he be caught forever in a world of his own subconscious creation?

Follow Kael in Chasing Clouds, a journey where every leap brings him closer to the dawn—or deeper into his dreams."

Art Assets

For the art assets in my game, I chose to go with pixel art as the primary style. Pixel art offers a nostalgic and timeless aesthetic that perfectly complements the retro-inspired feel of my 2D platformer game. Additionally, its simplicity allows me to focus on creating visually distinct characters and environments without the complexity of high-resolution artwork. This style aligns well with the mechanics and design of my game, as it emphasizes clarity and charm while evoking a sense of classic gaming.

However, as someone who isn’t the best at illustration, I recognized my limitations early on. Instead of spending countless hours attempting to create original assets, I decided to search online for pre-made art assets that fit the theme of my game. This approach not only saved me time but also ensured a consistent quality throughout the visual design. By using these resources, I could focus more on integrating the assets seamlessly into the game and refining the gameplay experience.

Game Dev Task 1 by Ian Choo Xin Zhe

Reflection

Working on the art assets for my game has been a reflective and eye-opening experience. While I relied on pre-made pixel art assets for this project, I realized the importance of improving my illustration skills and time management in the future. Being able to create my own assets would allow me to infuse a more personal and unique style into my games, elevating the overall experience for players. This is a skill I’m determined to develop as I continue my journey in game design.

One of the highlights of this process was exploring the vast array of game art assets available online. Surfing through different resources to find assets that matched my game’s theme was not only practical but also inspiring. It was eye-opening to see how thoughtfully designed assets can enhance a game’s visual identity and bring the entire world to life. This exploration deepened my appreciation for the art of game design and gave me fresh ideas for future projects.

Overall, this experience taught me the value of adaptation and resourcefulness. While I worked within my current limitations, it has motivated me to grow as an artist and a designer. I’m excited to continue developing my skills so that, in future projects, I can take on the challenge of creating original art assets that truly reflect my creative vision.