Wednesday, 14 August 2013

How much???

Our first task for production was to research the field we are most interested in within the creation of a modern video game.

For me there is only one option.

Art.

Below is what I have gathered from my research:


Production Track

Assignment One: Discipline Areas and Roles

 

Discipline Area Chosen: Art

 

Roles within Discipline:

·          Art Director

·          Lead Artist

2D Roles

·          Concept Artist

·          Sprite Artist

·          Texture Artist

·          Interface Artist

3D Roles

·          Modeller

·          Animator

·          Environmental Artist

·          Cinematic Artist

 

Responsibilities of each role:

Art Director:

·          Responsible for the quality of the art incorporated in the videogame.

·          Background in fine arts, knowledgeable about technical aspects of drawing, texturing, and colouring.

·          Manage a team of both amateur and experienced designers.

·          Selects best suited designs and suggestions and develops them further with personal inputs.

Lead Artist:

·          Responsible for developing and driving an original and innovative art style

·          Work with other disciplines to determine the technical and aesthetic  guidelines for art in the game

·          Have effective communication with the team and outsourcing studios.

·          Inspire, motivate and mentor other artists in best practices, processes and procedures.

Concept Artist:

·          Responsible for creating a portfolio of images that clarify the artistic vision of the new game character or world.

·          Creates designs usually from a few key descriptive words.

·          Used to create detailed illustrations of weapons, environments, and props -anything that is seen in the game world.

·          Suggests colour palette and mood.

Sprite Artist:

·          Draw and create animated characters, tile sets and special effects on a pixel basis.

·          Responsible for 2D graphical assets from first concept phases to the completion of the project

Texture Artist:

·          Create and apply textures to the game characters and environments

·          Able to work in a style set by the Art Director to maintain overall game vision.

Interface Artist:

·          Responsible for creating and implementing the graphic elements of the interface and the menu.

·          Work closely with the game designers an UI programmers, respecting the functional objectives and the creative direction.

·          Find design solutions to allow easy navigation of the menu and make the game user-friendly.

Modeller:

·          Creates three-dimensional models of any asset used in the games visuals.

Animator:

·          Work alongside designers on the overall visual style of the game.

·          Work primarily on the moving aspects of game characters and elements.

·          Work closely with programmers to ensure the different elements of the game remain compatible.

Environment Artist:

·          Models maps, textures and lights game environments in order to meet the aesthetic, creative and technical quality standards of the lead artist.

·          Communicate solutions to technical and design issues related to the environment model.

Cinematic Artist:

·          Create compelling cut-scenes and interactive dialogs using animation libraries.

·          Set up cameras and actor staging

·          Work with designers and art director to establish continuity of the story with game play.

 

Salary prospects for each role: (Average)

Art Director $76,000

Lead Artist $76,000

Concept Artist $66,000

Sprite Artist $35,000

Texture Artist $42,000

Interface Artist $46,000

Modeller $56,000

Animator $67,000

Environment Artist $70,000

Cinematic Artist $66,000

 

Key Discipline Developers:

Yoji Shinkawa - Metal Gear Series

Daigo Ikeno - Street Fighter Series

Derek Watts - Mass Effect Series

Yusuke Kozaki - No More Heroes

Robh Ruppel - Uncharted Series
 
 
 
 




I cant help but notice the wages. Lead artist here I come!

The key discipline developers I have listed are responsible for some of my favourite imagery in games. Especially Mr Shinkawa, whose Metal Gear Solid illustrations are works of art.
 

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