Fundamentals of 2D Game Art

Abstract

As an interactive and entertainment medium for countless people from different age groups and backgrounds, the game industry is becoming more and more vivid as its annual revenue grows higher and higher. On the other hand, the game developing and distributing process has become convenient and accessible over the decades thanks to technological advancement. Thereby, besides big companies, Indie companies or individual developers can still compete and flourish.

With that being said, game development is a time-consuming and challenging process for a small team with little experience or formal training in a professional environment. By choosing to develop 2D games, un-skilled developers can mitigate the initial obstacles of limited experience and resources. Furthermore, the development process often encounters numerous trials of errors that lead to project abandonment or a complete overhaul.

Knowing the challenge of finding guidance for young artists on what to do in the early stages of game development, the purpose of this thesis is to provide important background information for young 2D artists to solidify their knowledge and skills in such a way that they can confidently follow their passions.

Furthermore, the thesis attempts to investigate the core foundation of video game aesthetics in the development process through an artist's perspective. This thesis applies the secondary research method to study the foundation of the such as basic terminology concepts, need-to-know principles, and standard manufacturing processes that will be explained in turn. Through practicing the principles mentioned in this thesis, the author hopes young artists can find enjoyment and passion in game development supported by creating effective and effortless production processes