123
Chapter 4 Perspective, Scene Design, and Basic Animation
correct location, the perspective changes to first person. The player then looks
down the sight of the weapon.
A
scene
is the placement of objects on a game frame to create an attractive
layout, obstacles, and objectives that convey the story and mood. An essential
part of designing a video game is creating the background images to enhance
the gameplay experience. The
background can be composed of
many different objects to create the
environment—the feel and mood
of a scene. Figure 4-7 illustrates
an environment in which mixed
messages are being sent about the
mood; the designer did not pay
careful attention to the desired
mood of the scene. The choice
of trees, buildings, sky, clouds,
lighting, and general
color palette
are put in place as boundaries and
simple scenery for the gameplay.
Some background objects can have active characteristics. Other background
objects are simply there to act as scenery or to set the mood of the scene. An
active object
is one with which the player can interact. A
background object
is one with which the player cannot interact. Most scenery is a background
object. However, some scenery, such as platforms, can be active objects if
they provide some interaction. In the case of a platform, the player must be
able to walk on it, like the platforms shown in Figure 4-8. Most active scenery
Scenes
CHEAT CODE: COLOR PALETTE
A color palette is the set of colors used
consistently throughout a scene to
maintain mood. Generally, the desired
mood sets the color palette that will
be dominated by one of four general colors to maintain
the mood: red, yellow, blue, or gray. In general, red is used
for passion, yellow for cheerful, blue for peaceful, and gray
for gloomy. The rest of the color palette is selected using
contrasting and complementary colors from the color wheel.
Figure 4-7.
Notice how this scene
has dark colors for the
sky and ground. It even
has a dark, scary tree
and a ghost character.
Yet, the building is a
gingerbread house,
there is a holiday tree
out front, and an elf
character is carrying
presents. These items
are created with bright,
cheery colors. This is a
mismatched scene. The
dark, scary parts do
not go with the bright
cheery parts.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher