1. Unit 78 Graphics For Computer Games,
Artistic Styles Presentation
The first ever game released was called Tennis for two and was
played on an oscilloscope device as shown on the left. The graphics
were obviously incredibly simple, consisting of blue lines on a graph,
this was created in 1947.
The games that followed held increasingly better
graphics/gameplay and became more in depth and
complex. In the 1990’s, games such as Wing
Commander, Super Mario and Final Fantasy were
released. Including multiple levels and numerous goals
and available achievements.
2. Then in 1991, games like Road Rash, Never
Winter Nights and the Legend of Zelda were
released.
The graphics consist with games released
the year before; simple, basic, lack of
diversity, easily understandable.
In 1992 a year later games like Dune and Wolfenstein were
released.
Also once Microsoft had completed windows 3.1, one of the
first purely combat games was announced and released, known
as Mortal Kombat. The popular game consisted of a scrolling
background from side to side inside a fighting arena, the player
would choose a character who would fight different opponents
usually in a martial arts form. The health bars shown deplete
with each hit and when empty the NPC/player is knocked out.
Then Sim City 2000 was released, more popular
then its predecessor. The game offered a unique
idea of controlling an entire city, creating and
destroying buildings, setting up businesses etc.
The graphics were greatly improved and showed
a more intricate and detailed design than other
games delving into the tiniest spot, a miniature
world.
3. In 1993, shortly after Sim City 2000, an array of
diverse games were released.
This included the renown Doom games, and
War craft, which became an online
sensation for thousands of players.
This also included games such as Tekken,
which also became very popular, and
fighting game Virtual Fighter. Both showed
expansion and advancement on the game
Mortal Kombat. Tekken focuses on
character development and realism,
whereas VF, focuses more on motion and
fighting realism than graphics. As shown to
the left, the bright block colours try and
draw attention away from the square like
styles and rectangular body shapes and
show the fighting moves more clearly as
the eye subconsciously follows the
movement of bold colour and witnesses
each attack or defence, each movement
more easily.
Though the characters in Tekken also move,
but their motion is more fluid and in one
move, unrealistic for a real life fight.
4. Then next significant changes in games occurred in 1998 when the most 3D games started being released
more, and the famous Rockstar games were founded.
Intensely more realistic, Half-life was introduced to
the gaming world, with great distances and 3D
styles, with mountains leading off to the
horizon, blue skies hanging over head, and a
movable camera allowing the player to look at it all.
Shown on the right is the Microsoft Flight
Simulation, even more advanced, allowing the
player a completely unique experience, to fly.
They can fly around and view all sorts of
different parts of the in game world, with more
realistic backgrounds and objects on
route, including bridges, towers and
buildings, houses, enclosed water and boats
and ships.
5. In the year 2000, the iconic Sony PlayStation was released with stronger graphics and more capability than
PC, including memory slots, for unlimited game playing saves for numerous cards, more games available for it
and the controller giving the player a sense of comfort and direction.