Animation is the Future of Gaming Assets
The gaming industry is a dynamic one. Everyday there are new changes which challenge technology and creativity. Despite 3D animation surpassing 2D animation, there is still an ongoing debate as to which is better. Honestly, it’s difficult to choose as each one has its own merits and demerits, and serve a purpose in their respective place. We’re all aware that game animation is all about bringing different characters to life and narrating compelling stories. While 3D animation is the fundamental aspect of the gaming industry and is responsible for producing life-life characters, we cannot overlook the role of 2D animation either. It’s still relevant in today’s day and age, and is also going to define the future of gaming assets. Owing to this, students are considering an advanced graduate diploma in multimedia. It opens up an array of opportunities, and students get to learn in detail about audio and video editing, 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, UI/UX design, and so on.
What is 2D Animation?
As the name implies, 2D animation is the art of creating movement in a two-dimensional space. It creates an illusion of movement by sequencing drawings together and placing them in quick succession. For example, have you seen flip book animation? It is a classic example of animation in 2D. It usually occurs when you combine different heights and widths together. In 2D animation, everything exists on a flat surface without the illusion of depth. Back in the day, it involved drawing individual frames by hand and then photographing them to create an illusion of motion. However, owing to technological advancements, everything is done digitally these days using software including Toon Boom and Adobe Animate. Even today, 2D animation is used in movies, commercials, TV shows and other forms of visual media. If the intent is to convey emotion in a simple way, 2D animation is the way to go.
Importance of 2D Animation in the Gaming Industry
Even today, 2D animation continues to play an integral role in modern gaming. 2D games still have a unique charm, and are liked by both developers and gamers. Here’s how it continues to rule the gaming industry:
Highly Accessible
Compared to 3D animation, 2D animation has lesser hardware requirements. This makes it more accessible to a larger number of players. Developers mainly use 2D animation for mobile gaming. It helps more gamers to experience and enjoy the world of gaming.
Enhanced Artistic Freedom
Contrary to misconceptions, a lot of artistic experimentations can be done with 2D animation. Game designers can easily create visually stunning environments using hand-drawn or art aesthetics. No doubt it allows for a greater level of creativity in manipulating the 2D space and animation styles.
Cost-effective
Another advantage of 2D animation is that it is more cost-effective than 3D animation as less time is required to render a single frame. The latter requires more resources and expertise. The complexity of frame-by-frame animation makes it expensive.
Engaging Gameplay
2D animation format complements gameplay mechanics. For those unaware, game mechanics are elements, rules and processes that make up a game. It defines how a game works, and ensures its success or failure. 2D games offer a variety of gaming experiences.
How 2D Animation is Revolutionising Game Art?
It’s true that 2D animation has transformed game art completely. Here are a few animation techniques that are completely revolutionising the industry:
Vector Graphics
Vector graphics have completely changed the game of 2D animation. Artists can ensure their images are sharp and clear irrespective of scaling. Today, there are a lot of games that are harnessing the power of vector graphics. This not just enhances the benchmark of excellence in 2D game art but also ensures a certain level of fluidity is maintained.
Parallax Scrolling
Parallax scrolling helps in adding depth to 2D animation. In this technique, the background visuals shift in varying velocities which creates a depth element in 2D gaming environments. Though it is all happening in 2D, it creates a kind of pseudo three-dimensional look and feel. Game art is all about creating an aesthetically-pleasing setting.
Software Tools
Traditionally, characters were hand-drawn. With the progression of advanced software tools, 2D animation got a complete facelift. A few tools that have completely changed the game for artists, developers and animators are Spine, Toon Boom and Adobe Animate. Using such software, they can craft detailed and complex animations and create immersive experiences for the gamers.
The Future of 2D Animation
The future of 2D animation surely looks promising. It enhances both gameplay and storytelling. In gaming assets, animation is key to creating an immersive narrative. When 2D animation is well-executed, it creates the same experience as 3D animation. The future will surely have an integration of AI and machine learning. However, other technologies will enhance the realism of the game world. As more potential animation experts will pursue visual multimedia courses, the possibilities in this field are truly going to be limitless.
