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MechaChain is a future space conquest and robot combat video game developed by EternalHorizons. Following the blockchain trend and seeing the future of gaming in web3, the developer undertook to combine a stylish sci-fi setting and play-to-earn features to greatly expand the gaming experience. Our team was honored to become a trusted partner of EternalHorizons in the full-cycle development of the game and some art tasks, including animation and interface design. Key Project Details Goal The client entrusted us with the full development of this game, taking into account our rich experience in creating AAA models, animations, as well as the development of P2E games. Challenge The main challenge was to get into the style and vision of the game universe – the client provided detailed information about it, as well as key concepts and references. Team Composition Full-cycle development of a large-scale P2E game required the involvement of all our key professional verticals: Unity developers, testers, game designers, concept artists, technical artists, 3D artists, 3D animators, spine animators, UI/UX artists, and sound designers. Initial Data Let’s take a look at the functionality of the project, its distinctive features, and the source material with which we started development. MechaChain project Gameplay Details As an innovative sci-fi mobile game, MechaChain has a strong and thoughtful lore. The combat robots that will be controlled by the players are divided into two factions, Assimilee and Pure-Gene, and are called mechas. The factions differ in the degree of symbiosis between the pilots and their mechas – Pure-Gene believe that it should be reduced to the necessary minimum, while Assimilee strive to merge as much as possible with their mechas to maximize their potential. Each mecha is a set of parts that are NFT collectibles. They can be purchased online with a blue card with an in-game utility token called Mechanium ($MECHA) or using Ethereum. Once fully assembled, the mecha will be able to participate in PvP battles alone or in teams 6 vs 6. Players can earn Mechanium by winning battles, as well as upgrade their robot by purchasing new NFT and non-NFT modules. They can also rent out their robots to other players and thus earn Mechanium, gather resources, craft their own weapons, and upgrade them to NFTs. Each weapon and module has 5 different rarity levels and can be upgraded to become even more powerful. MechaChain project Distinctive Features The ability to assemble a combat robot from NFT parts and its integration into in-game tokenomics with the possibility of trading and earning is a new unique mechanic that hasn’t been available in other entertainment products so far. At the same time, people who are unfamiliar with crypto and don’t have a crypto wallet can also freely play the game and earn $MECHA using the game login system. They get a basic non-NFT mecha body and a set of non-NFT modules for it. As the mecha improves, the player gets the opportunity to convert individual components into NFTs. The focus on a mobile-first approach is driven by the booming mobile market and the desire to showcase games on the blockchain to an even wider audience. Subsequently, the game will be adapted for virtual reality headsets to fully immerse players in the MechaChain metaverse. Start of Cooperation To begin with, we needed to outline the areas of responsibility of our team and the client’s team. Having turned to our full-cycle development services, the client already had: Game lore, script, and narrative.The visual concept of the game universe.Concept art of combat robots mechas. Since mecha creation was on the client side, our art task was to conceptualize and model modules that are added to mechas and give them certain characteristics, mecha weapons that allow them to inflict damage on the enemy, and individual elements of the map: hangar, environmental elements, buildings, etc. In addition, our full-cycle development tasks included: AnimationDevelopmentTestingGame designUI/UXTechnical artVFXSound MechaChain project Workflow We divided the work into 6 key stages – this allowed us to better structure large volumes of work and prioritize tasks in accordance with the objectives set at every step. 1. Discovery and GDD Phase At this stage, our team asks the client key questions about the game to form an understanding of the essence of the task and develop game design documentation with all the necessary explanations on the mechanics, systems, servers, multiplayer, and so on. Game designers have significantly detailed the initial gameplay concepts and proposed options to attract not only blockchain-savvy players to the game, but also those who have no idea about the blockchain and don’t have crypto wallets. This approach expands the potential audience and gives everyone the opportunity to try their hand at the role of a mechapilot, regardless of their knowledge in the field of blockchain. Finally, we discussed and approved 4 game mechanics available to players: Mecha customization. Players can assemble their mecha and give it the desired characteristics using different NFT and non-NFT modules.Mecha battles. Players confront a team of rivals on the territory of planets that are the deposit of a valuable Mechanium.NFT marketplace. Players can sell, buy, and rent NFT modules and entire mecha assemblies, as well as NFT land.Galactic conquest on the MechaChain console. Players can explore the space map and assess the possibilities and prospects of buying NFT land for profit. Thus, players get a wide variety of gaming activities depending on their desire to delve into the gaming universe and take advantage of its play-to-earn features. Those who are only interested in battles may focus on upgrading their mechas and participating in interplanetary confrontations, while others may be attracted by the opportunity to rent out their mechas and receive profit from the purchase of NTF land. MechaChain project 2. Project Estimate and Production Start Having received all the necessary information, we draw up a project estimate and agree on the key development stages: vertical slice, closed alpha version, open alpha version, and release. Ideally, the project should be ready for release in 18 months, but we also allow for a certain number of additional weeks in case certain changes or additions need to be implemented. 3. Vertical Slice The vertical slice stage includes the preparation and deployment of all game mechanics, allowing the client and the player to understand the main concept of the game. In fact, the result of this stage is a playable version of the game with the basic implemented features. With its help, we and the client can understand what has been done successfully and what needs to be adjusted. The implementation of the basic logic of all features consists of the following tasks: Creating art and animating mechasDrafting mapsDeveloping multiplayerAdding UI, weapons, and skills (5 active and 5 passive)Building game systems: aiming, movement, damage, etc.Creating VFX and sound In addition to working on game mechanics, we were also involved in some aspects of the art. These were modules, weapons, map elements, and animation. MechaChain project Modules Modules are technological additions to mechas, which are attached to them like elements of a constructor and provide unlimited customization possibilities. The player can customize their mecha by installing various modules that affect the characteristics of mechas (attack, defense, speed, etc.): Back modules (wings, reactors)Shoulder modules (left and right)Weapon modules (left and right forearm)Energy core The first 3 points are implemented by 3D models. The energy core is highlighted with the same color illumination on all modules. Epic rarity is accompanied by a flashing light, Legendary with additional effects. The more unique modules, the more authentic the mecha looks and the stronger the pilot becomes. The work on modules for mechas on our part was carried out by downgrading the mecha with modules of the highest rarity received from the client. What does it mean? This means that we receive the robot in a complete set with the rarest modules from the client and remove the modules one by one, bringing the mecha to the original body state. There are 5 module rarities in total in the game, from Common to Legendary. Common and Uncommon options are available for free-to-play players for in-game currency. Rare, Epic, and Legendary options are NFT assets. Accordingly, those players who want rarer modules will need to be more deeply involved in the game tokenomics. But it is quite possible to get by with non-NFT options as well. MechaChain project Weapons The weapon is the basic tool for the mechapilot to fight enemies. Of course, the sci-fi setting and interplanetary battles of the distant future imposed certain requirements on weapons – it had to be something futuristic, powerful, and at the same time authentic to the gaming lore. The creation of weapons was realized from scratch in several stages: The game designer collects references and prescribes the functionality of the weapon.The concept artist creates several weapon sketches.The art director on the client side approves the concepts.Our 3D modelers model according to approved concepts. The weapon module can be placed on the mecha’s left or right forearm. The types of weapons we develop include automatic rifles, impulse rifles, and light machine guns. Each of them has its own description and features, offering a variety of ways to fight, as well as an interesting history of creation. For example, one of the rifles was created by two engineers who later ended up on opposite sides of the barricades. One of them, the future Pure-Gene, gave it a shape and a name, and the other, the potential Assimile, worked out its functionality. MechaChain project Environment The game offers 5 planets with one battle arena on each. Level design implies 3 key areas of the map: Team A spacecraft landing zone.Team B spacecraft landing zone.Mechanium gathering area in the center of the map. The goal of the match is to get to the place of concentration of the Mechanium and destroy the opponents. The battle includes 12 players, 6 from each faction. The match ends when there are no live players left in one team, if one of the teams has obtained more than 50% of the Mechanium on the map, or when the timer expires. In this case, the victory goes to the team that has obtained more Mechanium.  In addition to the battle arenas, there are colonies on the planets belonging to different factions. Our task was to create various environment elements for combat arenas and colonies, such as spaceships for both factions, individual buildings and objects of the urban environment (benches, stairs, pillars, kiosks), Mechanium containers, and more. The game also has a workshop location, the so-called hangars, where the player can manipulate modules, view the effects, characteristics, and attacks of the collected mech, as well as repair modules damaged in battles. This is a kind of hub where players can take a break from battles and lick their wounds. We developed the appearance of the hangars for each of the two factions based on their design features and feature specifics. MechaChain project Play-To-Earn Economics The MechaChain ecosystem encourages players to participate in in-game events and receive token rewards leading to NFT ownership opportunities for the most active ones. In-game rewards will be paid out in the Mechanium, and their amount will depend on the difficulty of the tournament. Players will also be able to use tokens to access in-game assets in the form of NFTs. The game also offers extensive trading opportunities on the NFT marketplace. The player can buy and sell NFT modules and complete mechas, as well as rent them out to other players for a certain amount of time. Another important part of the economy is factories and land. The plant, one per planet, produces one component for crafting an NTF mech body or module. At the same time, each plot of land on the planet is also an NFT element and, when acquired, brings the player a part of the profit from the sales of the plant on this planet. If desired, players can resell their NFT land on the marketplace. In this way, the game encourages the player to be more deeply involved in the player’s tokenomics, since this way there is an opportunity to earn even more. 4. Closed Alpha At the closed alpha stage, our team ensures the implementation of the full logic of all features and a full-fledged multiplayer. The game is available for testing for the client. In this phase, also called closed testing, the client launches the game and runs it using all game mechanics to make sure everything works correctly. This applies to the assembly of mechas, their controls, and battles, as well as all the nuances regarding game tokenomics. The procedures for minting NFTs, buying and selling modules and whole mechas, manipulating the land, and registering players without a crypto wallet on a free-to-play basis should proceed flawlessly so that the game can be presented to the gaming community at the next stage. MechaChain project 5. Open Alpha Having received information from the client at the previous stage regarding possible wishes and adjustments, we prepare the game for presentation to the players. During the open alpha testing phase, our team polishes visual bugs and finalizes all modules and server functions. The game becomes available for testing by the project community, so all the planned features and work should be completed by this time.  After testing the game, the gaming community also issues its verdict on the overall readiness of the game for release and provides feedback with possible wishes and comments. 6. Release Thanks to the participation of the gaming community and comments from it, we are finalizing the game and fixing possible bugs. The release version is finally polished and supplemented with all the remaining features: achievements, push notifications, tutorials, and so on. This exciting moment is scheduled for February 2024. There may be delays during the development process, so the release date may move slightly. However, we can say for sure that in the first half of next year, a lot of players will be able to try on the brand new profession of mechapilot. We are looking forward to doing our best to bring this web3 mobile breakthrough closer. Value Delivered Based on the client’s vision of the game and benefiting from extensive experience in game development, our team created a game design for MechaChain, including basic game mechanics, gameplay features, and game economics (tokenomics). Taking the client’s art concepts as a foundation, we also drafted and modeled all types of game weapons, mecha modules, and map elements in accordance with the setting and the general style of the game. Deep knowledge of coding and mastering the most modern tools and approaches has given us the opportunity to ensure the successful implementation of all the necessary features in the game. Join the Mechapilot Team It will be possible to take part in space battles and assemble your mecha through the App Store and Google Play in February 2024. Without the need for an initial investment, any player will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an ultra-modern and exciting journey that can bring real profit in addition to pure entertainment. Join the waiting list and see you in the new mecha era!

A project presentation, also known as a pitch, is the most important step in bringing your idea to life. How persuasive you are will determine the reaction of investors and publishers. And given that the future fate of your studio may depend on the financing of the project, the pitch acquires the most fateful significance. Of course, pitching a video game should cover all aspects of the game, from the audience to support and post-release maintenance. But at the same time, it shouldn’t be overloaded with details – you don’t want investors to fall asleep, do you? To make it easier for you to understand how best to approach creating a pitch, we have collected key recommendations and tips for different pitching formats. So let’s dive in. What Is The Pitch? A video game pitch is a proposal for a new video game that is presented to potential investors, publishers, or other stakeholders.  The pitch is typically designed to persuade these stakeholders to provide funding, development resources, or other support for the game’s creation. The video game pitch typically includes a description of the game genre, story, setting, and gameplay mechanics, as well as any unique features or innovations that the game will offer. The pitch may also include concept art, gameplay footage, or other visual materials to help illustrate the game’s potential. The goal of a video game pitch is to capture the attention and imagination of the audience and to convince them that the game has the potential to be successful both creatively and commercially. A successful video game pitch can lead to funding and support that allows the game to be developed and brought to market. Did you know? Knowing how to make a pitch will help not only when presenting an idea to an abstract investor, but also when launching a project on fundraising platforms. There you present your idea to your immediate audience who will play your game. Points to Consider When You Pitch a Video Game Idea No one is in a hurry to invest their money in a mediocre product. If it doesn’t grab attention with an idea, plot, graphics, or mechanics, then investors will simply pass by. The main thing, in this case, is to figure out how to stand out. You can often find the opinion that it is enough to be passionate and confident in your idea, whatever it may be. But that’s not quite right. No one will share your passion just because you are excited about your idea. You need to prove to investors that your idea is viable and back up each argument with convincing theses. The concept of mediocrity plays a very important role. If your idea takes an already-known game as a basis and simply repeats it in a slightly different setting and graphics, no one will buy such an idea. The gaming industry is already constantly suffering from the problem of repetitiveness, even from world-famous franchises, so it definitely doesn’t need new entities of this type. Of course, you must be confident in your idea and passionate about it to be able to emotionally influence investors. But first of all, you have to do a lot of analytical work and ensure that your idea is well protected from counterarguments like “But this has already happened in games.” Tips to Keep in Mind for a Successful Pitch When submitting a video game idea, there are a few things to keep in mind that can help increase your chances of success. Here are a few key points to keep in mind. Target audience Who is the game intended for? Is it aimed at hardcore gamers, casual gamers, or a specific demographic? You should be able to clearly define your target audience and explain why your game will appeal to them. Unique selling point This is exactly what we were talking about. What sets your game apart from other games in the same genre? Does it have a unique art style, an innovative gameplay mechanic, or an interesting story? If you have nothing to answer these questions, it is better to immediately take on the reworking of the idea. Competitors What games have inspired you? What elements did you borrow from other games? What have you improved? Why will your game be different, why will it be better? Don’t shy away from this question, because if done right, it will help you stand out with real examples. Genre What genre does the game belong to? Is it an action game, an adventure game, a simulation, or something else? It is important here to explain what new things you are going to bring to this genre and why you think that your innovations will contribute to the development of the genre. Gameplay What is the core gameplay loop of your game? How do players progress through the game and what challenges will they face? It shouldn’t just be a “player explores the world” style description, but an explanation of how key mechanics contribute to the overall experience. Story What is the game’s narrative? Is it a linear story or an open-world experience? If the story is linear, why does it have to be that way, and what is the main idea it conveys to the player? With an open world, it is more difficult, because it must be alive and filled, and each of its elements must add meaning to the overall picture. Game economy How will the game economy work? How will it develop? What is its dependence on the chosen difficulty level? Here you can also talk about the methods of monetization if any are planned. Art and sound What is the game’s visual and audio style? Are there any unique visual or audio elements that contribute to the overall experience? The chosen art style can be traditional or completely innovative, which is quite often practiced by small indie developers. Marketing How will you market the game? Do you have a plan for building hype and creating buzz around the game? Perhaps you do not plan any large-scale advertising activities, but this may be relevant only for small games. Large projects necessarily require planning all advertising activities in advance, otherwise, the probability of recoupment of the project drops significantly and the investor may pay attention to it. Of course, you must say a few words about your company. This shouldn’t take long, as you’re not here to discuss the undoubtedly interesting story of your origins. But with a short snapshot about your company, team, and processes, you show investors that you have the necessary resources to implement the idea and clearly understand how the work should be delivered. Top Mistakes to Avoid in Video Game Pitching Talking about mistakes is usually meaningless, because anyway, no one will take them into account until they themselves commit them and realize the consequences. However, we will still try to outline the most common failures for you so that you try to stay away from them as far as possible. Focusing on technical details While it’s important to have a solid technical foundation for your game idea, focusing too much on technical details can make your pitch feel dry and uninteresting. It’s important to balance technical details with engaging storytelling and a clear vision for the game’s experience. Lack of clarity Your pitch should be clear and easy to understand. Avoid using technical jargon or buzzwords that may confuse or alienate your audience. Make sure that your pitch clearly communicates the unique selling points of your game idea and how they contribute to the overall experience. Lack of focus One of the most common mistakes is not having a clear focus on what your game is about. It’s important to have a clear idea of your game’s genre, target audience, and unique selling points. Lack of a hook You need to have a compelling hook that makes your game stand out from the competition. This could be a unique gameplay mechanic, a fascinating story, or an innovative art style. Not knowing your audience When pitching your game idea, it’s important to understand the interests and priorities of your audience. Tailor your pitch to your audience’s specific needs and interests. For example, investors may be more interested in the game’s potential for profit, while gamers may be more interested in the game’s story and mechanics. Overpromising Don’t make promises that you can’t keep. Don’t give numbers you’re not sure about. In other words, do not pull the wool over the eyes of investors, they will determine it right away. Be realistic about what your game can achieve, and don’t promise features that you can’t deliver. Poor presentation skills A good pitch is not just about the content. It’s also about the delivery. Your pitch should be engaging and dynamic. Practice your presentation skills to ensure that you can deliver your pitch with confidence and energy. Use visual aids and demos to help illustrate your ideas and keep your audience engaged. Lack of marketing plan Your pitch should include a clear marketing plan that outlines how you will promote your game and reach your target audience. Failing to have a clear marketing plan can make it difficult to convince investors. Lack of confidence Confidence is key when it comes to pitching your game. If you don’t believe in your game, it’s hard to convince others to believe in it. But don’t overdo it. Try to keep your balance within moderate confidence and don’t go overly exalted or even aggressive. Poor preparation Make sure you’re well-prepared for your pitch. Have all the necessary materials ready, and be ready to answer any questions that come your way. Try to anticipate all the possible questions in advance, be sure to include the most inconvenient ones, and prepare answers to them. Of course, all these tips will be forgotten instantly as soon as you find yourself in the face of investors, opening the presentation with trembling hands. However, some of them can help you prepare better, and following them will greatly increase your chances of success. Key Pitching Formats Speaking of tips and recommendations, we traditionally focused on the classic type of pitching – a personal offline meeting with investors. But in today’s digitalized world, this option is not the only one. Moreover, it is most likely even shifted from the first place. The leaders are remote pitching, as well as pitching at thematic events. So here they are, the three main pitching formats. Remote idea presentation. A remote idea presentation is a pitch that takes place over video conferencing software or other remote communication tools. The advantage of this format is that it allows you to pitch your game to people who are located in different parts of the world. However, it can be challenging to keep people engaged when they’re not physically present.Offline personal meeting. An offline personal meeting is a pitch that takes place in person. The advantage of this format is that it allows you to have a more personal interaction with the people you’re pitching to. This can help you build a stronger relationship with them and increase your chances of success. However, it can be challenging to arrange these meetings, especially if the people you’re pitching to are located in different parts of the world.Pitching at conferences. Pitching at conferences is a popular format for video game pitches. It allows you to pitch your game to a large audience of industry professionals and potential investors. The advantage of this format is that it can help you get your game in front of a lot of people at once. However, it can be challenging to stand out in a crowded field of pitches, and the pressure of presenting in front of a large audience may seem intimidating. Objectively, the easiest way to achieve success is in a personal meeting with investors. However, in light of globalization, this option is becoming increasingly rare. Stakeholders may be located in different parts of the world, and the only way out for them is remote communication. Pitching at a conference is an advanced method since it requires maximum self-confidence to speak in front of a large audience among a huge number of competitors with their pitches. Comparison Table of Key Pitching Formats ProsConsRemote idea presentation✔️ Convenience. You can pitch your idea from anywhere in the world, without the need to travel.✔️ Flexibility. You can schedule the presentation at a time that suits both you and the potential investors.✔️ Cost-effectiveness. You can save money on travel and accommodation expenses.❌ Technical issues. Poor internet connection or technical glitches can disrupt the flow of the presentation.❌ Lack of personal connection. Remote communication is not conducive to establishing closer contact.❌ Loss of attention. Distractions on both sides can significantly damage the perception of information.Offline personal meeting✔️ Personal connection. Meeting face-to-face allows you to build a personal connection with potential investors.✔️ Clarity. You can answer questions and address concerns immediately, providing clarity to potential investors.✔️ Body language. You can use body language to convey your enthusiasm and confidence in your idea.❌ Limited reach. Meeting in person can be time-consuming and limit the number of investors you can pitch to.❌ High cost. You may have to pay for travel and accommodation expenses, which can be a significant cost.❌ Scheduling. Scheduling a meeting can be challenging, especially if potential investors have busy schedules.Pitching at conferences✔️ Exposure. The event is a crowded platform to showcase games to a wide audience of industry professionals, journalists, and gamers.✔️ Feedback. The Q&A session after the pitch allows developers to receive feedback and insights from experienced pros in the industry, which can help refine game concepts.✔️ Networking. Conferences are an excellent opportunity for developers to meet potential partners, collaborators, and investors.❌ Time constraints. Developers have a limited amount of time to pitch their games, which can get in the way of getting the main messages across.❌ Competition. Events are a competitive environment, with many developers vying for attention from the same audience. It can be difficult to stand out among the crowd.❌ Pressure. The pressure to deliver a successful pitch can be intense, especially for independent developers. This pressure can lead to nerves and a lack of confidence during the pitch. Are You Ready to Pitch Your Idea? So how are you doing, have you become more confident about pitching? We hope so. Pitching was and still is quite a creative procedure that requires good communication skills. Therefore, when choosing a person who will be engaged in pitching, also take into account psychological aspects, including such intangible ones as, for example, charisma. It may seem strange, but sometimes it can play, if not the most important, but quite a serious role in the success of the entire presentation. Good luck with your pitching endeavors!

One of the most unambiguous threads in the gaming industry for the coming years is the request from the gaming community for more improvements to graphics and visuals. Hardware is becoming more powerful, mobile devices can easily play heavyweight games, and the AR/VR direction continues to develop. So there are more and more challenges for developers. VFX is an indispensable tool for meeting the expectations of the players. Whether it’s fantastic effects and breathtaking fireballs in a fantasy RPG or super-realistic smoke, water, and fire in a post-apocalyptic action game, the visuals hold the attention, provide better immersion, and allow the game to unfold in the best possible way. So, let’s talk about the meaning of visual effects in games. With lively and exciting examples, of course. Creating realistic water in a game is a very challenging task for VFX artists VFX in the Gaming Industry So, VFX for games is just as important as high-quality filming for a movie. But if a movie can do without visual effects, limiting itself to beautiful location shooting, then games don’t have that luxury. Each element of the game environment is computer-generated assets, the perception of which directly depends on their realism and quality. For example, water in games. Have you noticed how few titles can offer more or less realistic water? Especially if the gameplay does not involve active interaction with it. In this case, the developers prefer to minimize the effort of working on the water and subsequently receive bad feedback from the players who got to the water and were horrified by its quality. Example: Water in Metro Exodus Water, like other visual effects in the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter video game Metro Exodus from the Ukrainian company 4A Games, looks beyond all praise. PhysX technology, along with tessellation, helped to provide amazing 3D ripples that form small waves like in reality. What’s more, even shells form splashes and ripples in the water. Another impressive aspect of the water effect is its visual quality. The game uses high-resolution textures and advanced lighting techniques to create a realistic and detailed water surface. The water also reflects the surrounding environment, including light and objects, creating an immersive and believable scene. In addition, Metro Exodus also features underwater sequences where the player can swim and interact with objects and enemies. The water effect in these sequences is also highly realistic, with accurate physics and lighting effects. Posted by Throneful. “Metro Exodus – Boat Gameplay (PC HD) [1080p60FPS]”. YouTube. February 20, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkHubCTwfoA What are Visual Effects in Games? Visual effects in games are the process of creating special animations that are not an object or characters, but that represent the player’s interaction with the game world and bring the game world to life. This explanation may seem complicated, but in fact, we are all very familiar with visual effects. These are not only the so-called special effects, lightning, magic, and various fantasy transformations. Not at all. Visual effects are also water, fire, smoke, dust, and more. Sometimes we don’t even pay attention to them, but they are an integral part of the gaming experience. For example, fire. Despite the classic coziness of bonfires, embodying rest, peace, and a certain stronghold of protection in a dangerous world, much more often fire in games is something that has gone out of control and represents danger and a threat to life. Example: Fire in The Last of Us Part II The Last of Us Part II, an action-adventure game developed by the American video game developer Naughty Dog, boasts one of the most impressive fire effects in the gaming industry in recent years. One of the key elements in designing the fire effect was the use of volumetric rendering. This technique allows for the creation of realistic smoke and flames that can be manipulated in real time, displaying a dynamic and ever-changing effect. The fire was also given a high level of detail, with realistic flames and smoke that react to the game’s environment and physics. In addition, the developers used a system of particle effects to create sparks and embers that are generated by the fire. These particles add to the realism of the effect, as they float and drift in the air, creating a sense of chaos and destruction. From slowly smoldering cars to an entire settlement engulfed in violent flames, the game flawlessly captures the terrifying atmosphere of a mighty element greedily devouring the pitiful remnants of civilization. Posted by TrueGamingVault. “The Last of Us 2 Scar Island + Brutal Boss Fight & Combat Gameplay // The Seraphites (Scars)”. YouTube. June 23, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTBzr2I5v3A What Kinds of Visual Effects Are Used in Games? Creating visual effects for games is a complex and painstaking process. The success of this activity will determine whether players feel like they are part of the game world or roll their eyes when they see clumsy fire or plastic water. The most common types of visual effects in games are: CGI (computer-generated imagery). It is a technique used to create visual effects using computer graphics. In video games, CGI is used to create characters, objects, and environments. This technique can be used to create realistic-looking graphics or more stylized graphics, depending on the desired look of the game. Motion capture. It involves recording the movements of real people or animals and using that data to animate digital characters or objects in a video game. This technique is often used in sports games, where realistic movements of athletes are required, or in action games, where realistic combat moves are needed. Motion capture can create highly realistic movements and interactions in video games. Morphing. It is a technique that involves transforming one image or object into another through a series of small changes. In video games, morphing can be used to create unique and interesting visual effects, such as changing a character’s appearance or transforming an object into a different shape. This technique is often used in puzzle or adventure games to create interesting visual puzzles or challenges. This is a technological categorization. Inside the game itself, there are gameplay and environmental effects: Gameplay effects. This includes all effects directly related to the interaction between the player and the game world. These are the effects of a shot, marks on surfaces, splashes from under the wheels, and so on.Environmental effects. These are the effects that occur in the game world without the direct participation of the player and that make up the general game atmosphere: water, fire, clouds, smoke, rain, and so on. Example: Thunderstorm in Forza Horizon 4 Continuing the tradition of examples, let’s look at the thunderstorm effect. Many games use it to manipulate the player’s emotional state, but few have risen to such heights of dynamic weather change as Forza Horizon 4, a racing video game developed by the British video game developer Playground Games. The location called Fortune Island brings the storm to the absolute. The thunderstorm effect consists of multiple layers of visuals and sounds that work together to create a realistic and believable storm. Constant rains, lightning, and hurricane winds make driving much more difficult and create an indescribable atmosphere of extreme weather conditions that test the endurance and skills of the player. One of the key visual elements of the thunderstorm effect is the lightning. Lightning strikes are realistically rendered with bright flashes of light and detailed bolt shapes that are procedurally generated. The lightning bolts also cast shadows and illuminate the surrounding environment, adding to the realism of the effect. Another important visual element of the thunderstorm effect is the rain. The raindrops are individually rendered with dynamic lighting and reflections that accurately simulate the behavior of water in different lighting conditions. The rain also creates realistic water splashes and spray on the road surface, adding to the immersion of the effect. Posted by PakHunter. “Forza Horizon 4 Fortune Island Storm Race”. YouTube. June 2, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJqRnmJm9F4 What Programs Are Used to Create VFX in Games? Special VFX software offers artists a variety of tools for working with effects. Many of them have preset animations and textures that you can modify depending on your needs. Using ready-made assets and software features, artists have different ways to create amazing visual effects of the highest quality. Example: The Dust Storm in Forza Horizon 5 The dust storm visual effect implemented in the racing video game Forza Horizon 5 by Playground Games is an impressive example of VFX in video games. This effect is created using a particle system, which generates millions of tiny particles that move and interact with each other in a realistic manner. The particles are programmed to respond to environmental factors such as wind, light, and gravity, which makes the dust storm look more natural. In addition to the particle system, the game also uses a sophisticated lighting system to enhance the effect of the dust storm. The developers added dynamic lighting to the particles to produce a sense of depth and realism. The light interacts with the particles in the air, creating a unique and atmospheric effect. Posted by TOXIC LAMB. “Forza Horizon 5 – Free Roam Through Sandstorm”. YouTube. November 11, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA2t9xsrdss It is important to understand that each effect requires a different approach and sometimes a separate instrument. For example, fire, smoke, and explosion effects are conveniently created in Phoenix FD, FumeFX, and Maya fluids. Destruction effects are well modeled in MassFX and Rayfire. Here are some examples of the most popular VFX software. 3ds Max 3ds Max is considered one of the basic VFX tools. Its convenience is that it includes a toolkit for the implementation of a complete animation pipeline, from modeling to rendering. Look at some of the tools and features of 3ds Max that are useful for creating VFX in video games: Particle flow. It is a tool that allows users to create particle systems that are often used for visual effects design: explosions, fire, and smoke.MassFX. This is a physics simulation tool that allows artists to simulate rigid body dynamics (collisions and gravity) and can be used to create realistic VFX.FumeFX. This is a plug-in for 3ds Max that helps artists to create realistic fluid and smoke simulations that are often used to design clouds, smoke, and fire.Hair and fur. This tool allows artists to design and simulate hair and fur for characters and creatures, which can be used to create realistic and dynamic VFX.MAXScript. This is a scripting language that helps users to automate tasks and design custom tools within 3ds Max, which can be used to create VFX more efficiently.UV mapping. This tool allows users to unwrap 3D models to create UV coordinates, which are necessary for applying textures and materials to models, including those used for VFX. So, 3ds Max is a versatile software that offers a wide range of tools and features for creating VFX in video games. But keep in mind that this is quite a difficult software to master, so starting your VFX journey with it can be a daunting task. Unity The most popular game engines offer affordable built-in visual effects tools. Unity provides a range of instruments for creating VFX in video games. For example, it has such key tools and features: Particle system. It allows artists to create various types of particle effects: explosions, smoke, fire, and more. You can customize particle behavior and appearance to suit your needs. The system supports dynamic and static particle effects.Shuriken. An updated particle system provides more flexibility and control over particle effects. It includes a wide range of modules and parameters for creating complex particle effects with ease.Timeline. This tool allows you to create and control complex animations and VFX sequences. You can combine different types of animation, including particle effects, to create dynamic and engaging VFX in your game.Shader Graph. It is used to create custom shaders for your VFX. With this tool, you can create stunning visual effects by manipulating the properties of materials and textures and combining them with particle systems.Visual Effect Graph. The Visual Effect Graph is a node-based tool to create advanced VFX in real-time. It provides a wide range of nodes and modules for creating complex and dynamic particle systems, such as explosions, smoke, and fire.Cinemachine. It is a powerful camera system in Unity to create dynamic and cinematic camera shots. It can be used to create stunning VFX sequences that follow the action in the game. With Unity particle system, Timeline, Shader Graph, Visual Effect Graph, and Cinemachine, you can create marvelous and dynamic VFX sequences that enhance the gameplay experience. Dive Deeper: ✔ Unity vs Unreal Engine: Pros and Cons Houdini For many VFX artists, Houdini is the go-to software for advanced dynamic simulation tools. Our specialists also actively use it together with Unreal. It is a 3D animation software that is widely used in the game development industry. It offers a range of procedural tools that enable developers to create complex VFX. The tool allows you to work in an iterative way and offers a convenient node-based system to minimize the number of steps. Here are some of the main features and tools that Houdini offers: Procedural modeling. These tools allow artists to create and modify 3D models quickly and easily. They use algorithms to generate geometry, so artists can make changes to the model by adjusting the parameters of the algorithm.Particle and fluid simulation. It can be used to create realistic effects like fire, smoke, and explosions. These simulations can be complex and time-consuming, but Houdini’s tools make it easy to set up and control the simulation.Dynamic rigging. These tools allow artists to create complex character animations and use physics simulations to design realistic movements and reactions.Compositing. Artists can combine different elements of a scene into a final image. This includes compositing VFX elements like explosions or smoke into live-action footage.Digital assets. Digital asset tools allow artists to create reusable components that can be used in different projects. These assets may include 3D models, simulations, or entire scenes. Overall, Houdini’s procedural tools and dynamic rigging make it a popular choice for creating complex effects and animations. However, it can be difficult to learn and use, so it may not be the best choice for beginners. Maya Maya is another 3D animation software that is popular in the game development industry. It has a wide range of tools and features that allow artists to create complex and realistic animations and special effects. Here are some of the Maya tools that are commonly used for creating VFX: Dynamics. Helps artists create realistic simulations of physical phenomena like explosions, fire, smoke, water, and cloth. It is used extensively in games to design realistic environments and effects.Fluids. Enables artists to create and control fluid simulations, such as water and other liquids. It can be used to showcase realistic ocean waves, splashes, and other fluid effects.Particles. Used to create particle systems to simulate small objects, like dust, debris, sparks, and rain. It is also capable of designing special effects like explosions and magical spells.Nucleus. Used to create complex simulations: soft bodies, rigid bodies, and cloth. It can simulate the behavior of objects that are impacted by gravity, collisions, and other physical forces.Bifrost. This tool is a powerful simulation engine that is used to create complex simulations like fire, smoke, and explosions. It can also help create water effects like waves, splashes, and foam. In addition to these tools, Maya also has a powerful scripting language called MEL (Maya Embedded Language) that allows artists to automate repetitive tasks and create custom tools to streamline their workflow. This feature is particularly useful for VFX artists who need to design large numbers of complex effects. We talked about MEL in detail in our Maya vs Blender comparison material. Dive Deeper: ✔

The game engine is the foundation of creating video games. It includes a large number of tools, libraries, plugins, and customization features that allow you to design unique entertainment products. And in this realm of game architecture, there are two main giants – Unity and Unreal. It is pointless to answer the question of which one is better. The fact is that each of them serves a specific purpose. And once you understand what your goal is and become aware of the capabilities of these engines, the answer will appear by itself. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get to know Unity vs Unreal engine in more detail. Before We Begin We will allow ourselves a small digression. If you’re interested in other engines besides the two key ones, you can check out our material on the top 5 engines, which also includes our current contenders. We also have large-scale material covering all aspects of Unity in greater detail: statistics, pricing, pros and cons, game examples, Unity developer rates around the world, and so on. We invite you to find out if Unity is exactly what you need. And yes, ignore the clickbait title. Of course, it was meant that Unity is the best for its purposes. Dive Deeper: ✔ Unity − What Makes It the Best Game Engine? Unity Features Unity is the most famous cross-platform engine, especially popular for mobile game development and indie development. The main feature of Unity is its cross-platform nature. It supports development for over 25 platforms including mobile, desktop, web, console, and AP/XP platforms. Thus, this engine will be your undoubted choice if you are planning cross-platform development. Especially if you want to cover mobile development, as over 70% of all mobile games are made with Unity. The engine offers Lightweight Render Pipeline – a prebuilt Scriptable Render Pipeline that allows graphics to be scaled to low-level mobile platforms. Development on Unity is considered optimal for beginners and those who are just planning to enter the gaming niche. The interface of the engine is simple and intuitive, and the native language is C#, which is quite easy to learn. The engine also offers access to the Unity Asset Store, a marketplace where developers can create and sell 2D and 3D assets and environments that can greatly speed up and simplify development. Games Made Using Unity The list of games created with Unity is truly endless. Notable examples include: Ori And The Blind Forest (Metroidvania)Cuphead (Run and gun)Pillars Of Eternity (RPG) Did you know? Unlike other engines, Unity is used not only in the gaming industry. He also performs well in such areas as cinematography, architecture, engineering, construction, automotive, and even military. Unity Game Engine Pros & Cons Note that the shortcomings we propose are rather not disadvantages, but features of the engine that may prevent certain tasks from being performed. This applies to any engine from the pair Unity vs Unreal. You can find out more detailed information about the specifics of Unity and its pros and cons in our Unity study. ProsConsFree for projects generating less than $100,000 per yearAccess to read-only source code is only possible with a Unity Enterprise subscriptionCoverage of more than 25 platforms with an intuitive interfaceLower performance compared to other more highly specialized enginesExcellent toolkit for mobile and indie developmentAdvanced multiplayer features are only available by downloading frameworks Unreal Engine Features Unreal is a game engine originally created for PC first-person shooters that has become a technological canon for creating AAA games with state-of-the-art graphics. The main feature of Unreal is its support for high-definition graphics, including next-gen physics, lighting, visual effects, and more. Written in C++, Unreal offers high portability and covers key gaming platforms: mobile, desktop, console, and AR/VR. While a Blueprint Visual Scripting system with a node-based interface can help you get started, the full power of Unreal can only be unleashed by knowing and using C++. The focus of the engine is on AAA-quality PC and console products – considered the industry standard for top games, Unreal is actively used to showcase the latest and most amazing advances in graphical realism. And while some of the major developers of the most famous games prefer to use their proprietary engines, Unreal remains the top commercial AAA development software. Games Made Using Unreal  Games made with Unreal are usually the top representatives of their genres. For example, you may have heard the most famous of them: Fortnite (Battle royale)Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (Action-adventure)Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Action-adventure) Did you know? Many highly anticipated games from world-famous developers will be released on Unreal Engine 5 in the future. Among them are S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2, The Witcher 4, The Witcher Remake, The Matrix Awakens, and Silent Hill 2 Remake. Unreal Engine Pros & Cons As we have already said, the shortcomings of the engine are not so objective disadvantages as certain inconveniences in a specific context. For example, no one will deny that using the heavy and powerful Unreal is absolutely inappropriate for elementary mobile games. But this is not at all its disadvantage. In any case, you can learn a little more about Unreal in our comparison material on game engines. ProsConsOpportunity to implement state-of-the-art visualsQuite a complex interface and a steep learning curve for beginnersExcellent performance when working with heavy assets and environmentsThe need to pay 5% royalties if the developed product earns more than $1 millionAdvanced toolkit for multiplayer, AI, and the latest VR projectsSufficiently high system requirements when using the full potential of the engine Similarities Between Unity and Unreal Despite the fairly obvious differences between the Unity engine vs Unreal engine, they certainly have some things in common. Both engines support a fairly large number of platforms – mobile, desktop, consoles, AP/VR, and so on. Although Unity is unrivaled in terms of cross-platform features, Unreal also has something to offer. Both engines have a huge community and a large number of lessons and tutorials. They support multiplayer and VR, have asset libraries, and are basically free with certain conditions. Both can produce AAA graphics, but Unreal still has a clear advantage here in a side-by-side comparison. Differences Between Unity and Unreal The main Unreal Engine vs Unity difference is the language they are written in. For Unity it’s C#, for Unreal it’s C++. C# is easier to learn, its hierarchy is simple and clear. C++, in turn, often includes features that are quite difficult to understand. From this follows the purpose of the engines. C# (Unity) is more suitable for mobile and web applications, as well as not very heavy desktop products. C++ (Unreal) is great for heavy-weight large-scale projects that require high performance from the hardware. So, when evaluating Unity vs Unreal performance, the latter clearly has an advantage. Unity vs Unreal: Head-to-Head Comparison Let’s summarize everything we’ve learned about Unity vs Unreal. UnityUnrealDeveloperUnity TechnologiesEpic GamesWritten inC# (Unity Scripting API)C++ (runtime)C++Supported platformsMobile, desktop, web, console, VR/XRMobile, desktop, console, VR/XR (less than Unity offers)Primary audienceMobile, indie, and beginner developersAAA devs and indie teams striving for realismEase of useBeginner-friendly interfaceSteep learning curveOpen sourceNoYesPriceFree to use (until the product has earned more than $100k in the last 12 months)Free to use (a 5% royalty if the product earns more than $1 million)2D/3D supportYesYes (limited for 2D)AI supportML-Agents toolkitBehavior treesVR/AR/XR supportYes (faster, and easier to use, supports more platforms)Yes (more advanced graphics)Multiplayer supportYesYesGraphics levelGood graphicsCutting-edge graphicsAsset marketplaceUnity Asset StoreUnreal Engine Marketplace Unreal or Unity: What Engine to Choose So what to choose, Unreal or Unity? As with many other aspects, it all depends on your goals. I choose Unity…I choose Unreal…to start my journey in game developmentto create an AAA gameto make a cool mobile gameto work with cutting-edge visualsto develop a cross-platform gameto focus on PC and console platforms FAQ Is Unreal better than Unity? It is incorrect to talk about which engine is better without context. Unreal is better suited for more advanced games with modern realistic graphics, which is why it is known specifically as an engine for AAA games. Unity, on the other hand, is a more versatile and easy-to-master engine that covers a large number of platforms and is suitable for creating a huge range of games: 2D and 3D for mobile devices, indie and AA for PC, AR and VR games, etc. Is Unreal harder than Unity? Considering Unity vs Unreal in terms of complexity, Unreal is undoubtedly more difficult to work with than Unity. Why is Unity more popular than Unreal? Unity is more beginner-friendly and intuitive, plus it has a huge community, lots of lessons, tutorials, and guides. To delve into it, it is enough to understand the basics of C#. Unreal is more demanding on developers, its interface is more advanced, and to fully use it, you need to know C++, which is considered a rather difficult language to learn. Is Unity or Unreal better for 2D games? For 2D games, Unity is a clear choice. It has excellent tools for creating 2D games and a much simpler and more intuitive interface. Is Unity open source? No, Unity is not open source. The source code is read-only for Unity Enterprise users by default and as an add-on for Unity Pro users.

Along with augmented reality, virtual reality is one of the most innovative technologies that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the chosen environment. Of course, the gaming industry takes center stage – Statista says there are 171 million VR players worldwide, and the VR market size was $12.13 billion as of 2022. The only thing that slows down the total distribution of VR is the price – this is the main barrier to adaptation named by 55% of the players surveyed by YouGov. However, the growth of VR continues. The market is expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2024, developers continue to release VR games, and don’t forget other industries looking to embrace VR. Global spending on AR and VR technology is expected to rise from $12 billion in 2020 to $73 billion in 2024, therefore, this technology must be reckoned with and harnessed while the niche is still relatively free. But how much does it cost to develop a VR app? Is the investment worth it? Will it bring profit, will the development work off? Let’s find out for sure. Virtual Reality – Why So Popular? What is so exciting about virtual reality? Well, first of all, here’s the definition. Virtual reality is a digital reality that uses special technical means to influence the human senses, mainly sight and hearing. Unlike augmented reality, virtual reality doesn’t overlay a separate digital object on top of the real world. It is a separate digital world. Therefore, to immerse yourself in VR, one smartphone is not enough; you need special equipment – virtual reality glasses or helmets. The advantages of VR in terms of entertainment are undeniable. Full immersion in the game as if you are the main character instead of the standard contemplation of your characters on the screens gives a completely different feeling. Virtual games capture completely, they actually and unambiguously transfer the player to the virtual world. This is the next level of gaming experience that the leading players in the industry are striving for. The prospects for VR gaming are also clear from a financial point of view, which can be deduced from the following graph. Source: Statista.com In addition to games, VR is actively used in other areas. For example, virtual meetings, excursions, or events have long ceased to be something extraordinary. Another thing is that they are still far from becoming a routine for most people. But it’s only a matter of time. Factors That Affect Virtual Reality Mobile App Development Cost As with any other application or game, the cost is primarily dictated by its complexity. In turn, complexity can be divided into 3 key components: Game content: graphics, mechanics, interface.Development: tools, software, SDKs, frameworks.Platform: mobile devices, PC, console, or cross-platform option. Determining How Much Your VR App Will Actually Cost Complexity is directly related to development time. On average, a VR application can be developed in a year, but who needs such average estimates, right? The simplest VR app or game can take anywhere from a month to two months and cost from $20,000.A VR project of medium complexity, such as an online store with VR capabilities, will take up to 6 months and cost from $30,000.Complex games or large-scale VR projects, for example, for tourism or medicine, will take a year or more and cost from $100,000. The first two options can be covered by a team of 2 to 5 VR experts. The latter, however, will require at least 10 specialists. An important aspect of the cost will be the choice of a VR platform. The most popular are: HTC Vive (works with PC)Oculus Rift (works with PC)PlayStation VR (works with PS)Google Cardboard (works with Android and iOS)Google Daydream (works with the latest models of Android) However, in fact, it all comes down to timing – the more complex the application and the longer the development takes, the higher the price. Top Factors Determining VR App Development Time The duration of development is of great importance because technologies are developing very quickly and what was relevant a year ago now already looks outdated. Considering VR development, the key factors influencing and its duration are classic: Request accuracy. The more information you provide to developers, the faster they can get down to business. If there are gaps in your request, the team will have to do additional research, test different options, create prototypes, and this will significantly delay development.Team size. The developer company usually forms a team itself, and the speed of development will depend on the number of people. If they can’t allocate enough developers, the work will be slower.Application complexity. Directly related to the previous one, this point significantly affects the speed of development, since with a fixed team, an increase in the complexity of the product will mean an increase in the timing of its creation. Other Factors That Impact the Cost of the VR App Development Be aware of the difference in developer rates in various parts of the world. For example, in the United States, Canada, and Australia, you will see the highest rates – from $50 per hour and more. Lower prices can be found in Eastern Europe – from $20 per hour, while this does not affect the quality in any way. So how much does it cost to create a VR app? In fact, their cost is only slightly different from the standard rates for creating applications due to the use of special tools. You can see that the price range is huge, from $20,000 to $100,000 and more, so it makes no sense to try to calculate the budget without first having an idea of what kind of VR application you need. The easiest and most legitimate way to find out the approximate cost of your future VR application is to request an estimate from the company with which you plan to cooperate. At Kevuru Games, we provide project quote answers within a day and offer optimal collaboration options depending on the type and complexity of your project. Feel free to contact us to find out how much your VR application will cost you. What is the Process of Creating a VR App? Having an approximate answer to the question “how much does it cost to make a VR app?” (or after receiving a more detailed estimate from us) you may be interested in how the development of a VR application is going in general. Are there any special features or differences from the classic app development pipeline? In fact, no, the steps are no different from developing any other application: Requirements analysis. Based on the requirements you provided for the future VR application or game, the developers analyze the market and form the optimal solution. You may have heard of this stage as pre-production.Working on the application. Also known as production, this stage includes designing your application in accordance with its specifics and programming itself, that is, the creation of code.Verification and release. Once an application is created, it undergoes various types of testing to make sure it works correctly. The developers also do some final polishing to get the app ready for release. However, there are also obvious differences. VR games or applications cannot be perceived without an additional device – glasses or a helmet. Therefore, when developing a VR project, first of all, you need to start with the hardware and understand what device you are aiming at. The most common environments for developing VR games are Unity and Unreal. Unity is considered more versatile, faster, and easier due to the presence of a large number of intuitive tools and the ability to cover almost all known helmets with multi-platform support. If you are targeting VR development for Cardboard and Daydream, then the Google VR SDK is your choice. Dive Deeper: ✔

Augmented reality is the most widespread and accessible immersive technology with tangible market growth prospects of hitting $460 billion by 2030. In addition to the entertainment industry (AR is not at all limited to masks in Snapchat), AR is being actively implemented to expand training opportunities, improve user experience, and enhance modeling and design processes. A significant acceleration in the development of augmented reality technologies is associated with rapid progress in the creation of more advanced devices, screens, cameras, and software solutions. And most importantly, the potential of AR can benefit almost any business. Let’s take a closer look at what AR has in store for different industries and highlight the key steps in creating an AR application. What is Augmented Reality? A conversation about augmented reality app development always starts with a definition – if you know everything about AR, you can skip to the next section. Augmented reality is a technology for adding digital objects to the real world. At this stage, this is possible only with the use of devices (tablets, smartphones, smart glasses, etc.) with specialized software. The virtual object is superimposed on the real world in real time and changes depending on the movements of the camera. We are most familiar with this from the masks that are applied to the face using the front camera of a smartphone, and the legendary game Pokémon GO, which superimposes Pokémon animals on real locations. It is important not to confuse augmented reality with virtual reality. If the augmented one imposes individual elements on the real world, then the virtual one creates a completely virtual world, which you can immerse yourself in only with the help of special glasses and helmets – a smartphone will no longer work. Augmented Reality on the Rise: Top Stats Snapchat’s 2022 survey highlighted the triumphant movement of AR across different business domains. According to it, companies see AR as a great tool for deeper interactions with their customers, and Statista. Source: Statista.com Given the steady growth and more than a billion active devices at the beginning of 2023, their number will be 1.4 billion by the end of it, and by 2024 – more than 1.7 billion. Grandview Research estimates that smart glasses will have a market value of $137.14 billion in comparison with $8.58 billion in 2020. Such a dizzying growth at a CAGR of 57.21% will be possible thanks to the widespread implementation of AR technology to perform different business tasks. In the aspect of further adopting AR, some data from the McKinsey report are notable. For example, it says that with the help of the AR, it will be possible to improve and simulate 100% of the work necessary for the design of spaces and physical products. And more than 2.7 billion of the so-called deskless workers, which make up about 80% of the global labor, can become the main users of the AR technology. Did you know? The revolutionary AR game Pokémon GO offering to catch virtual animals imposed on the real world with the help of a smartphone has become a real breakthrough and a whole cultural fenomen. At the peak moments of 2016, it totaled more than 250 million players a month, and in 2020, its revenue for the first time exceeded $1 billion. Since everything is so rosy and promising, you probably have a question of how to build this AR app that will bring so much benefit to your business. But first, a few words about types. Types of Augmented Reality Applications The type of AR application is responsible for the features of user interaction and the implementation of certain goals. There are 3 key types of AR applications: Marker-based. Used when the subject of the camera is important for proper overlay, such as tourist info about objects, etc.Markerless. Used when the direction of the camera does not matter and the 3D object can be placed without a marker.Location-based. Used to provide the user with local information such as road signs or walking directions. ProsConsMarker-based AR✔️ Seamless and stable AR content✔️ Intuitive and easy to use real-time interaction✔️ Low development cost and production speed✔️ Supported by low-end devices❌ AR content disappears when moving camera away from marker❌ Problems with scanning in reflected light❌ The need for clear color transitions for the marker to workMarkerless AR✔️ More flexible object placement✔️ Unlimited camera movement without sacrificing content❌ The inappropriateness of AR content in a particular setting❌ Desirable plane texture for computer vision detectionLocation-based AR✔️ Convenient geolocation targeting for tourist purposes✔️ Possibility to create options including directions✔️ Does not require tracking of physical objects❌ Problems with geolocation accuracy due to inaccurate phone sensors❌ Sufficiently high complexity of application implementation Mobile AR Development: Setting a Goal & Choosing the Right Platform Creating an application is the territory of professionals – you will have to put up with it. Moreover, not every software development company has experience with AR. Take that into account and go for the ones that can prove that they know a little more about AR than “We played Pokémon GO” (even though no one actually played). And even if you completely delegate the creation of your product to some software development company, it will not hurt you to find out the approximate stages of creating an AR application. Knowing how to start development for augmented reality apps will help you better understand the process, ask the right questions, and generally be more clear about where your money is going. Decide on purpose and functionality. You must clearly understand what you want from the application and what functions it should perform. Without this information, it is impossible to proceed to the next steps.Choose a platform. It can be Android, iOS, or a cross-platform solution. Each of them has their own convenient SDKs, but they are limited to their range of users, and the cross-platform option will help to reach the maximum audience.Choose the right tool. Tools and SDK are selected depending on the intended platform, the required functionality, and the chosen recognition system – marker-based, markerless, or location-based. Make sure the selected SDK supports the required features.Start development. The development pipeline itself may differ depending on the developer team, but usually includes the classic stages of working on the frontend and backend. Application design should be as clear and intuitive as possible. Promotion and marketing. Augmented reality app development will go down the drain if you don’t take care to spread the word about your app and advertise it. There are many ways: social networks, paid advertising, partnerships, events, etc. Selecting the Right AR Stack for Your App Now that you roughly understand how to create augmented reality apps, it becomes obvious to you that this procedure is not much different from creating any other application in its basic steps. The most important thing is to think about the essence of the implementation of AR and how it will benefit your business. If you are interested in augmented reality development of apps in terms of specific technologies, then take a look at the following SDKs. There are many types that suit different mobile operating systems or support cross-platform development. Cross-Platform AR Development When it comes to creating AR applications, many people doubt the feasibility of cross-platform development. Native sounds more reliable. However, the main thing to remember is that cross-platform development not only allows you to reach a significantly larger audience, it is also the best option for a limited budget. Your application will be written in one language but delivered to multiple platforms at the same time. This is done through optimization. At the same time, cross-platform development has some drawbacks, the main of which is the limited access to hardware functionality – GPS, camera, accelerometer, and others – which is key for AR applications. Be sure to take this into account when developing. If you are planning complex applications with advanced features, the native option will be the best choice. Bonus Tip: AR App with Unity With a rough idea of how to build an app using ARCore and ARkit, you might be wondering – what about Unity? The answer is simple – Unity is great too. We’ve talked about how Unity is the Unity − What Makes It the Best Game Engine? ✔

With a huge variety of video game companies offering their services, it becomes incredibly difficult to choose one. More often than not, the agonizing search results in you wearily browsing endless websites and finally finding some feature, whether it’s a piece of art in a portfolio or a compelling testimonial from a previous client. You are satisfied with this insight and decide to cooperate so as not to waste any more time. But in the end, everything is not so rosy. The new partner cannot guarantee the completion of the work on time, does not really understand your requirements, and their overall qualifications turn out to be much worse than you expected. Time and money are wasted and you need to start the search from the very beginning. The curtain falls. We invite you to break this vicious circle of searching convulsions and wrong choices. Grab and record a list of the most important video game questions to ask your future contractor to see if they are worthy of your project. Why Ask Questions to a Video Game Developer? The right questions provide an opportunity to get a complete picture of the company and its expertise. Video game questions to ask in general are the best way to get to know your future business partner. Just imagine that this is an acquaintance by analogy with your meeting a new person. But instead of asking about hobbies, work, leisure, and interests, you ask about work processes, development stages, rates, and team composition. Is It Possible to Create a Video Game Yourself? This is definitely not the right question to ask a game developer. But you can ask yourself this first. And you will see how one question branches into many others: Are you aware of the scale of work required to create a video game?Do you have the necessary knowledge to cover all aspects of working on a game?Can you draw 2D or 3D art?Are you proficient in animation tools?Are you familiar with the basics of game design?Are you familiar with game engines?Are you good at testing? And this is just the tip of the iceberg, the most obvious video game questions to ask yourself. Don’t get us wrong. Everything can be learned. You can learn to draw, code, test, and in 5+ years become the second Eric Baron with a Stardew Valley level masterpiece. But are you ready to invest so much effort and time into something that does not guarantee success? This is a huge adventure that will become an unbearable burden for you and will be the main test of your willpower and motivation. But motivation is a variable thing. Sometimes it only lasts for a few days. And sometimes hours. Plus, keep in mind that the pixel art that captivated the players in Stardew Valley no longer has the same magic as it used to. Now the arena is being taken over by ultra-realistic 3D games. Making such a game on your own will be much more difficult and longer. And who needs these sacrifices? After all, you can always turn to an outsourcer or even several ones, give them tasks, and control the process like a boss. As the famous masterpiece from the Finnish gaming company Remedy says – take control. The Popularity of Video Games: Statistics With $184.4 billion generated in 2022, the gaming market could reach $211.2 billion by 2025. Source: Statista.com 50% of the income of the entire gaming industry comes from mobile games. In 2022, this segment generated $92.2 billion and covered 2.675 billion players.The console games market came in second place, bringing in $51.8 billion from 603 million players.The PC games market generated $40.4 billion, backed by a loyal and reliable army of 1.045 billion players. Source: Statista.com The number of players is also gradually increasing from year to year. Game Design Trends That Will Rock 2023: Main Factors Shaping the Further Development of the Gaming Industry ✔ Character Design Cost: What Shapes the Price and How to Choose a Worthy Company [Extended Checklist] Note that qualified and experienced companies will easily offer you an estimate based on your needs and conditions. Formation of the estimate usually takes from one to several days. It is approximate, but gives you an idea of the required budget. 3. What Are the Reviews of the Company’s Previous Clients? If you don’t know what questions to ask about a video game, ask about the experience of previous clients. In everyday life, we often rely on reviews before buying different things. This also works with the choice of the service provider. Refer to the experience of those who have already entrusted their projects to this company. Find out if all expectations matched reality. Testimonials often provide a wealth of valuable insights that a company would never have posted on their website. The best place to look for reviews is not on a game studio site where you can write anything, but on third-party independent resources like GoodFirms, Clutch, and Designrush. The falsification of reviews on such platforms is practically reduced to zero. In addition, the reviews there are well structured and easy to read. Customer review of Kevuru Games at Clutch.co 4. What Is the Responsibility of the Parties in the Work on Each Project? You didn’t think that it would be enough to give the company a task and forget about it until the results were delivered, did you? Each party is responsible for certain aspects of the work at each stage. On your part, this is usually the study of intermediate results of work, coordination, editing, additions, and so on. Among the mandatory elements of the gaming company’s responsibility are an NDA agreement, preparation of technical specifications, status reporting, etc. For example, a detailed description of the areas of responsibility of the client and the service provider is available on our website in the Our Process section. Details are given for both outsourcing and outstaffing models. Kevuru Games work process description 5. What Is the Team Structure for Different Types of Projects? Ask a game developer about the composition of the team, and you will understand what you are paying money for. Each team member is not only the executor of your tasks, but also a separate expense item that you need to know about. A detailed description of the contribution of each specialist makes the picture of cooperation transparent and understandable. Examine the pages of the services you are interested in regarding the composition of the team for each service. If this information is not available, ask the company for it. The answer will be an indicator of the professionalism and qualifications of the company. If it hesitates and does not give a clear answer regarding the specialists who will work on the project, refuse it immediately. Kevuru Games team structure for game development 6. What Is the Preparation Process for Different Types of Projects? Whether you’re going to outsource art, animation, development, testing, or any other task to a game company, you need to know how long the prep process will take. This process, in fact, is the activation of the company’s resources and the gathering of all the necessary specialists to start working on the project. Why is it important? Because the official date of work on your project depends on the duration of the preparatory process. The duration of this stage is primarily affected by the availability of the necessary specialists. This is especially true if the company is running several projects at the same time and the necessary specialists are not available at the moment. In this case, you may need to wait. Decide for yourself if this option is right for you. Dive Deeper: ✔ 6 Key Stages of Game Development: From Concept to Standing Ovation Understanding how the company plans to organize the development process will give you valuable insights into the duration of the work and help form major milestones before the release of the game. Knowing how development is progressing, you will be able to create a detailed roadmap, plan marketing activities in advance, organize beta testing for players, and more. Линия слева от текста .line { border-left: 2px solid #08BEB2; /* Параметры линии */ margin-left: 0px; /* Отступ слева */ padding-left: 20px; /* Расстояние от линии до текста */ } By the way. Most questions to ask during video game beta testing will be addressed to players, not developers. Communicating with players and listening to their feedback is the most important component of the future success of the game. 9. What Security Processes Does the Company Have to Protect Intellectual Property? This is a very important issue, all the details of which should be clearly spelled out in a non-disclosure agreement. In simple terms, you must make sure that the company guarantees that the created materials, art, animation, code, etc. will not leak to the Internet without your permission. This also applies to materials, designs, or drafts that you can hand over to the team for refinement or revision. All these assets must be protected. In the future, after the work is completed, the team may ask you for permission to place images of various game assets or game screens in your portfolio. You can either allow or deny this at your discretion. Линия слева от текста .line { border-left: 2px solid #08BEB2; /* Параметры линии */ margin-left: 0px; /* Отступ слева */ padding-left: 20px; /* Расстояние от линии до текста */ } Additional hint. It is best to have your lawyer review the NDA agreement. Then you will definitely not miss a single detail. 10. How Long Does Video Game Development Take? This question to ask a game studio is partly included in the question on stages of development. You may have already received a detailed answer to it when you learned how the team will work on your project. However, it is better to clarify this again. This is especially important if you plan to release the game by a certain date and need to understand if the team will be on time. Another nuance that you may encounter is the change in development time due to different circumstances. Certain tasks may take longer to complete than originally planned. There’s nothing to worry about, since making a game is creative work, and a lot of things can change and transform during the development process. Therefore, if a certain deadline is important to you, check with the team how it will be affected by the delay in working on certain tasks. How to Choose a Video Game Developer? Now that you’re armed with questions to ask a game developer, you can start choosing a service provider. Here we also have a surprise for you – a reliable and practice-tested checklist with up-to-date tips on choosing the best game design studio for your project. In many ways, these tips intersect with the above questions and deepen them significantly. So be sure to take a look at our checklist for choosing a reliable game contractor and forget about the nagging search problems once and for all. Dive Deeper: ✔

On March 20-24, 2023, Kevuru Games will attend the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, CA. GDC will be held at the Moscone Center. We are also one of the sponsors of this event. This year’s conference will be the industry’s largest source of content and connections with many exciting presentations, sessions, and networking events, and will focus on health and safety. GDC offers five days of expert-led training on key game development topics, as well as several special features throughout the week. Participants have the opportunity to gain insight into the future of gaming, be inspired by new methods, and discover new creative approaches. Our team of representatives will be there offline. You are welcome to contact our representatives to schedule appointments. About GDC Game Developers Conference is the largest annual gathering of professional game developers, game designers, business and marketing ptofessionals, producers and team/studio managers, visual artists, writers and storytellers, independent developers, sound designers, engineers, composers, virtual and augmented reality creators, game educators, and career seekers. The event includes: Large-scale learning space: a wide range of lectures, panels, and round tables.GDC Expo showcasing the latest game development tools and services from leading technology companies such as Amazon, Epic, Google, Intel, Nvidia, Oculus, and Sony.Dedicated community spaces where GDC members can take a break from all the learning, relax and meet new people in themed areas for playable indie games, retro games, alternative controllers, and more. GDC also hosts two award ceremonies: The Game Developers Choice Awards, the premier video game competition honoring the best games and developers in the industry.Independent Games Festival, an event that celebrates the most innovative and exemplary indie game development projects. This year, the conference will cover the following topics: Design.Programming.Business & Marketing.Production & Team Leadership.Visual Arts.Free-to-Play.Game Narrative.Independent Games.Future Realities.Educators.Game Audio.Sponsored Content. Advocacy.GDC Main Stage.Game Career Development. Among the speakers one will see representatives of such gaming companies with lectures on the specifics of working on different aspects of their well-known games: Electronic Art (Dead Space, The Sims).Crytek (Deathloop).CD Projekt RED (The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077).Sony (God of War Ragnarök).WB Games (Gotham Knights).Criterion Games (Need for Speed).Guerrilla (Horizon Forbidden West).and many others. The GDC Advisory Board is made up of seasoned game and VR/AR industry experts who volunteer each year to help develop the GDC conference program and sessions. The consultants work to ensure that GDC content is engaging, relevant, and timely. About Kevuru Games Kevuru Games is a game outsourcing company that has been creating game art and developing games for PC and mobile devices for over 11 years. Our main creative driver is the love for games and our work, so we are scrupulous and dedicated at every stage of game creation, from conceptualization to post-production. Thanks to high professionalism and an irresistible desire to do something unusual, our team has become a reliable partner for many of the world’s leading publishers: Epic Games, EA, Lucasfilm, Bandai Namco, and others. We have taken the desire to create beyond the limits as our motto and are always happy when our work makes the game world brighter. Feel free to

On February 17-20, 2023, Kevuru Games will participate in the ICE London conference, which will be held at ExCeL London. Our team of representatives will take part in the conference offline, but meetings can be arranged in person or remotely using the My ICE Gateway platform. About ICE London ICE London is an international gaming and gambling event providing attendees from around the world with access to the latest innovations, technology solutions, and regulatory updates and expertise needed to position a brand in new and mature markets. It provides rich opportunities for networking, showcasing brands, and also gathering ideas for new gaming offerings from all sectors and experience levels. ICE London has been running for 20 years and caters for all types of games and all seniority levels, bringing together solution providers and gaming professionals across all major verticals. In 2023, ICE London will feature a record number of visitors – more than 650 companies and 35,000 participants from 150 countries. Clarion Gaming, owners of ICE London, have confirmed that the 2023 show will be the largest ever and will cover 51,466 square meters of space, surpassing the previous maximum of 49,690 square meters set in 2020. In total, ICE will occupy 41 halls of its ExCeL home in London, with sister show iGB Affiliate London taking over the remaining three halls. The Clarion Gaming Pitch ICE program not only provides a professional platform for the industry’s biggest brands, but also offers 14 startups the opportunity to showcase their solutions and innovative approaches to investors and visitors to ICE London. Successful companies get a free chance to show up at the Pitch ICE pavilion for the duration of the show and the opportunity to take the ICE stage and introduce themselves to potential investors. ICE London 2023 will feature such key sectors: Betting.Bingo.Casino.Lottery.Mobile.Online.Payments.Social.eSports.Sports betting.Street. For organizing meetings and acquaintances, the conference offers the latest tool My ICE Gateway. It allows attendees to connect with colleagues before, during, and after ICE London. About Kevuru Games Kevuru Games is a game outsourcing company that has been creating game art and developing games for PC and mobile devices for over 11 years. Our main creative driver is the love for games and our work, which is why we are meticulous and dedicated at every stage of game development, from concept to post-production. Thanks to high professionalism and an irresistible desire to do something unusual, our team has become a reliable partner for many of the world’s leading publishers: Epic Games, EA, Lucasfilm, Bandai Namco, and others. We have taken the desire to create beyond the limits as our motto and are always happy when our work makes the game world brighter. Do not hesitate to contact us, we will help you bring your idea to life in the best possible way.

You’ve definitely heard those words with the prefix re- in some context, be it movies or games. Be honest, are you good at distinguishing between remasters, remakes, and reboots? Putting the port aside for now. The truth is that in today’s fast-paced technology environment, generational changes in consoles and PC components are happening much more frequently than ever before. Now the game is considered old if it is more than 3 years old. Yes, yes, the legendary Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are already old games, no matter how blasphemous it may sound. Modern games are mostly incompatible with older consoles, and older games are incompatible with newer consoles. So what can we say about the cult samples of the zero years and the tenths, which in many cases remain the best examples of individual genres? Is the solution really just to forget about them and put up with it? Certainly not. The developers found a way out and successfully harnessed it, giving players nostalgic joy in a modern wrapping and making a lot of money from it. This way out is remasters, remakes, and reboots. Ports too, but it’s a bit about something else. You already feel like they stand a little apart, don’t you? While sounding similar, remasters, remakes, and reboots represent varying degrees of modification of the original game. And we’re here to sort things out. The port won’t be forgotten either, no worries. What Is a Remaster in Video Games? A video game remaster is a cosmetic update to an existing game that gives it a more modern look. Of all the types of game modification, the remaster is the most delicate. Nobody changes the game. We are talking about only minimal updates, for example, new textures for models. The models themselves, the engine, the plot, and the code remain unchanged. Therefore, a remaster is usually applied to relatively recent games that are not quite outdated yet and work fine with modern consoles. The main purpose of the remaster is to bring the graphics of the game to the modern level and, if necessary, improve its performance and sound. The duration of this process depends on the amount of graphic content in the game and the features of the game engine. The level of model modification is also important – it can be a slight change with color correction or an almost complete replacement of textures or even a partial reworking of the model to increase the level of detail. Thus, for the remaster, we have such a picture of changes.  Graphics Changes(updating textures, adding model details)Gameplay Changes(interaction between the game and the player)Storyline Changes(main plot lines, characters, quests, cutscenes, etc.)Game Design Changes(UX/UI, design and construction of locations)Remaster✔✘✘✘ Good examples of remastered games among famous tiles are: Alan Wake (2010) – Alan Wake Remastered (2021)The Last of U (2013) – The Last of Us Remastered (2014)Crysis (2007) – Crysis Remastered (2021)Dark Souls (2011) – Dark Souls Remastered (2018)Life is Strange (2015) – Life is Strange Remastered (2022) What Is a Remake in Video Games? A video game remake is a reimagining of an existing game while retaining the main story and core gameplay elements. A remake is a more radical intervention on the original. Basically, this is a new game that takes the core elements of the original and recreates them in modern graphics with modern mechanics for modern hardware. A remake is a great way to take advantage of the players’ nostalgia for older games and offer them their favorite title in a modern wrapper. This attracts both old players and new ones who are not familiar with the original game. The main purpose of a remake is to create a new modern version of a game that is too outdated to simply be remastered. Unlike the remaster, the remake is not a complete and frame-by-frame copy of the original, but its modern interpretation. New graphics, a new engine, and new game design elements are combined with the old title, lore, and core story elements. Important note. In the remake, the story and gameplay in certain cases can also be changed and adapted according to modern trends and standards. But more often than not, the main plot is still preserved.  Graphics Changes(creating new graphics based on the original)Gameplay Changes(interaction between the game and the player)Storyline Changes(main plot lines, characters, quests, cutscenes, etc.)Game Design Changes(UX/UI, design and construction of locations)Remake✔✔/✘✔/✘✔ You may have heard about such well-known remakes that received great reception: Demon’s Souls (2009) – Demon’s Souls (2020)Shadow of the Colossus (2005) – Shadow of the Colossus (2018)Resident Evil 2 (1998) – Resident Evil 2 (2019)The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993) – The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993)Final Fantasy VII (1997) – Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) What Is a Reboot in Video Games? A video game reboot is the creation of a brand new game based on the original game universe. A reboot takes big liberties with the original game. From the remaster and remake, players are still waiting for the predominant similarity with the original in most respects. Reboot gives developers the freedom to change old ideas and concepts, introduce new characters and remove old ones, add completely new locations and stories, etc. The main purpose of a reboot is to revive the game series to attract new fans and increase revenue. This may be the only way out if the once popular series of games is morally obsolete and frankly lagged behind modern realities. But since the original with all the famous characters has a fan base, the reboot is a fairly safe project in terms of profit – it has a priori buyers who want to meet their favorite characters again. Curious fact. The term reboot is used in analogy to the corresponding computer term – the process of completely clearing the contents of RAM by the computer and resuming its work – referring to the fact that the game that reboots the series does not take into account previous games on this topic and starts a new canon. In case the reboot still doesn’t undo the plot of the older games in the series, it’s called a soft reboot, which, however, in many ways starts the story from scratch.  Graphics Changes(creating completely new graphics and visual effects)Gameplay Changes(interaction between the game and the player)Storyline Changes(main plot lines, characters, quests, cutscenes, etc.)Game Design Changes(UX/UI, design and construction of locations)Reboot✔✔ ✔✔ Here are examples of well-known titles that received a decent reboot: Doom (1993) – Doom 3 (2004) & Doom (2016)Devil May Cry (2001) – DmC: Devil May Cry (2013)Shadow Warrior (1997) – Shadow Warrior (2013)Tomb Raider (1996) – Tomb Raider (2013)X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) – XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012) What Are Ports in Video Games? A video game port is the process of transferring a game from its original target platform to another platform. Porting is interesting in that it stands apart from the remaster, remake, and reboot, but includes elements of each of them. It may require redoing models and textures, reworking the code and mechanics, etc. Not at all to improve the visuals or update the gaming experience, but to ensure the performance of the game on the new platform. This usually requires a complete or partial code change. The main purpose of porting is to ensure the functioning of the game on a new platform. What needs to be done for this is determined by the characteristics of the target platforms. To port a game from PC to mobile, you need to redo almost everything. Porting from a PC to a console requires careful attention to the control features and requirements of the console.  Graphics Changes(creating new graphics based on the original)Gameplay Changes(interaction between the game and the player)Storyline Changes(main plot lines, characters, quests, cutscenes, etc.)Game Design Changes(UX/UI, design and construction of locations)Port ✔/✘ ✔/✘✘ ✔/✘ There is a high probability that you have heard about such well-known ported games. Porting is a delicate work, subject only to true professionals. To provide players with the same exciting world experience on multiple platforms, it is necessary not only to optimize the game, but also to capture and correctly convey its atmosphere, preserve the main features of the gameplay, and ensure that the game is recognizable both on PC and on mobile or console. It is on these details that Kevuru Games focuses on when implementing 5 Most Exciting Gaming Technology Trends in 2023 [+ Special Bonus Trend That-Must-Not-Be-Ignored] In 2023, we are waiting for a whole series of hotly anticipated remakes. Among them: Dead Space (January 27)Resident Evil 4 (March 24)Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Winter 2023)Gothic (TBA)Silent Hill 2 (TBA)Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (TBA)Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (TBA)Max Payne 1 and 2 (TBA) And while the acronym TBA sounds rather suspicious in a certain kind of fashion for constantly postponing game releases, we’re hoping for the best. In the meantime, our team is ready to work even better for the benefit of our beloved gaming industry. Do not hesitate to contact us if you share our vision and passion.

It would seem, what are we talking about? The difference between 2D games vs 3D games is obvious – 2D games take place in a two-dimensional flat space, and 3D games – in a three-dimensional lifelike space. But it’s not all that simple. In recent years, the trend of increased requirements for game realism on the part of players has intensified. Sometimes this realism reaches the level of complete indistinguishability of the game from live shooting. However, paradoxically, this does not prevent 2D games from actively developing to this day. Let’s agree right away – talking about “2D is better than 3D” and vice versa with the most incredible justifications is a pure exercise in futility. Both 2D and 3D games have their fans and reasons to exist and thrive. And we want to offer you a comprehensive guide on the key milestones of creating 2D vs 3D games, their cost, as well as the most likely trends that will influence their development in 2023. There is a lot of information to cover, so keep up. 2D Games: Definition, Applications, and Pros & Cons 2D games are digital entertainment products based on two-dimensional flat art that only has width and height measurements. A flat image means that it cannot be seen in perspective, it is only accessible from one side. Accordingly, movement in the game is limited to 4 directions – left, right, down, and up. 2D games are most commonly associated with smartphones, as most games for mobile devices are 2D due to being less demanding, more lightweight, and easier to optimize. But this does not mean that they are forbidden from entering the PC realm – it is enough to recall the most famous platformers to see the opposite. The most popular 2D game genres are platformers (including Metroidvania), puzzles, and fighting games. Pros of 2D GamesCons of 2D GamesFaster development compared to 3DUnrealistic flat worldElementary controlsLimited game mechanicsSmaller size and simpler optimizationLess demand compared to 3D Did you know? The world’s first 2D game is Tennis For Two, a sports video game that simulates the game of tennis. It was developed by American physicist William Higinbotham and technician Robert W. Dvorak, displayed on an oscilloscope, and played using two aluminum controllers. Quite often one can come across the opinion that 2D games are much easier to play than 3D, that they have a lower entry barrier for inept players, and that they are generally more forgiving of beginner mistakes. This may be true in some cases, but it would be unwise to make such generalizations for all 2D games. The most beautiful Metroidvania in the history of gaming, Ori and the Blind Forest, mesmerizing with its ethereal hand-drawn graphics, celestial music, and heartbreaking story, knocks out the unsuspecting player with its punishingly difficult gameplay. Forced to die over and over again, players realize the trap they’ve fallen into. The gameplay is merciless to the inept player and makes you frustrated at every turn, but the world is so beautiful and addictive that you can’t help being stuck to the screen. The game won the Best Art Direction award at The Game Awards 2015, Xbox Game of the Year and Best Audio awards at Golden Joystick Awards 2015, as well as the Artistic Achievement award at British Academy Games Awards. Ori and the Blind Forest game screen, developed by Moon Studios, published by Microsoft Studios 3D Games: Definition, Applications, and Pros & Cons 3D games are digital entertainment products based on three-dimensional volumetric art that has measurements of height, width, and depth. A volumetric image means that it can be viewed from all sides. Accordingly, the movement in the game is not limited and is possible in any direction. 3D games can be stylized with a cartoonish twist, but more often than not, developers go for a realistic style. Realism allows them to provide players with first-class immersion in the game world. 3D games are considered the territory of PCs and consoles, but with the increase in the power of smartphones, this performance discrimination is no longer so relevant. The most popular 3D game genres are action/adventure, shooters, and RPGs. Pros of 3D GamesCons of 3D GamesAbility to achieve ultra-realismNeed for a big budgetVariety of graphic stylesLong and complex developmentLimitless game mechanicsHigh GPU requirements Did you know? The world’s first 3D game is Battlezone, a first-person tank combat shooter released for arcades in November 1980 by American game developer Atari. The game featured 3D vector graphics. Players controlled a tank that was attacked by other tanks and missiles, using a radar scanner to find the enemies around them in the barren landscape. 3D games are most often associated with something massive, some kind of open world that takes hundreds of hours to explore, such as the Horizon, The Witcher, or The Elder Scrolls game series. However, an open world and AAA publisher is not a prerequisite for 3D games. Many indie developers are also turning to 3D and achieving stunning results. Stray is a third-person adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk setting where the player has to help a cat escape from a long-forgotten city filled with robots. The game offers relatively free vertical exploration of one of the locations, but in general it is a classic example of linear corridor adventures. Indie studio Annapurna Interactive has been making the game for 7 years. The result is a decent A-level product with high-quality, eye-catching 3D graphics, released for PC and PS4/PS5 consoles and awarded in two categories at The Game Awards 2022 – Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game. Stray game screen, developed by BlueTwelve Studio, published by Annapurna Interactive How to Make a 2D Game vs 3D Game: Stages, Team, and Timelines Speaking of 2D games vs 3D games in terms of development speed, there is no doubt that 2D games will be made faster and at a lower cost in most cases. The reason for this is the more limited game world compared to 3D and the faster work on 2D graphics. However, as far as development stages are concerned, they are the same for any game. We’ve talked about them in detail in our material covering 3 key steps: Pre-production, where the idea is formed.Production, where the idea is embodied.Post-production, where the idea is polished and presented to the players. Pre-production covers a huge amount of preparatory work, answering key questions about the game genre, style, engine, budget, key mechanics, characters, story, and so on. Production includes the direct creation of graphics, interface, and musical accompaniment, as well as the work of programmers to implement all the elements in the game engine. Post-production often consists of polishing work to fix minor bugs noticed by players during the release, creating updates or additions for the game, and its technical support. In addition to these stages, we have identified 3 more equally important ones, such as testing, pre-launch, and launch, which largely affect the success of your game. As for the 3D vs 2D game development team, we can say with confidence about such specialists: Game producer.Game designer.Artists (2D for 2D games 3D for 3D games).Developers.Testers.Project manager. While the composition of the team may vary depending on the working methods and pipelines of different game companies, often these specialists are present when creating 2D vs 3D games. Professional 2D and 3D game creation companies provide a comprehensive description of the function of each team member before starting work. For example, at Kevuru Games, you will find such a team for creating a 3D game. The same team line-up will be for the 2D game, with the exception of the 2D artists who will replace the modelers. It is also possible to reduce the number of specialists compared to a 3D game since 2D games are not as large-scale, and 2D art requires less time to create than a 3D model. Of course you want to know about the timing. It is difficult to talk about specific dates without knowing the scale of the future game. Mobile 2D games can take months to complete, while large 3D PC games take years. For example: It took almost 9 years to create the famous role-playing video game Cyberpunk 2077 from the Polish studio CD Projekt RED. Metro Exodus, a first-person shooter video game from the Ukrainian studio 4A Games, was developed in 5 years (same as Elden Ring). The legendary adventure game Grand Theft Auto V from the American company Rockstar Games was created in 3 years. To understand how long it will take to create your game, as well as what budget you need to target, you need to provide the game studio with basic information and wishes regarding your game. Then the studio will be able to give you a rough estimate indicating the necessary team to create the game, the timing, and cost. How Much Does It Cost to Develop a 3D vs 2D Game? Regardless of whether you choose 2D vs 3D art, the price of the work will directly depend on several key factors: Intended platform. Making a mobile game will cost less than a PC game. We’ve discussed the Mobile Game Development Cost: Factors Influencing Price and Clear Estimates ✔ 10 Most Trusted & Highly Professional Game Art Outsourcing Companies in 2023 If you want to try to calculate the approximate cost of working on your game yourself, you need to estimate the size of the required team and the number of specialists. This will be enough to get a rough price. Because in fact, all the factors affecting the cost come down to one thing – the time spent on development. We have already talked about this when discussing the issue of creating 2D and 3D art. Armed with the knowledge of the hourly wages of specialists, their number, and the time required to complete certain tasks, we calculate the approximate amount of necessary costs. Rate x Hours x Number of Specialists And here is our calculator for finding out the cost of the work of a team of specific specialists. It is most convenient to separately calculate the cost of the work of artists, developers, testers, game and sound designers, as well as project managers and other specialists. The hardest part is estimating the time they need to complete tasks. Submit Clear .container #priceDevFormClear { font-size: 20px; color: #ffffff; background-color: #08BEB2; opacity: 1; } .container #priceDevFormSubmit { font-size: 20px; color: #ffffff; background-color: #08BEB2; opacity: 1; } .container #rate { font-size: 20px; color: #303031; background-color: #edfafb; opacity: 1; } .container #hours { font-size: 20px; color: #303031; background-color: #edfafb; opacity: 1; } .container #specialists { font-size: 20px; color: #303031; background-color: #edfafb; opacity: 1; } var onSubmit = function() { const isNumber = (val) => !isNaN(parseInt(val)); const form = document.forms["priceDevelopment"]; const result = document.getElementById("result"); if (!form.checkValidity()) { result.innerHTML = "All fields required"; } else { const rateVal = document.getElementById("rate").value; const specialistsVal = document.getElementById("specialists").value; const hoursVal = document.getElementById("hours").value; const values = [rateVal, specialistsVal, hoursVal]; if (values.every(isNumber)) { const calculateSum = rateVal * specialistsVal * hoursVal; result.innerHTML = `Price: $${calculateSum}`; } else { result.innerHTML = "Field supports only number"; } } } function onClear() { const rate = document.getElementById("rate"); const specialists = document.getElementById("specialists"); const hours = document.getElementById("hours"); const result = document.getElementById("result"); rate.value = ""; specialists.value = ""; hours.value = ""; result.innerHTML = ""; } submitBtn.addEventListener('click', onSubmit); clearBtn.addEventListener('click', onClear); Be sure to check out our article on the cost of creating video games if you want to learn more about developer rates around the world, examples of the highest and lowest budget games in the world, as well as the top-grossing genres in 2022 that transitioned smoothly into 2023. Bonus Shot – Between 2D and 3D Although the difference between 2D and 3D would seem obvious, the skill of the artists reaches such a level that it becomes difficult to answer the question for sure. But apart from the masterful play of light and shadow in 2D graphics, which is starting to look like 3D, there is such a thing as 2.5D. 2.5D or pseudo-3D is 2D graphics that simulate three-dimensional space. An example of a pseudo-3D computer game is the first-person shooter Doom, as well as the first-person RPG of the Might and Magic series. Despite the fact that the environment in these games is three-dimensional, and the player can move freely in all three planes, in fact, the game levels consist of separate sector rooms with different floor and ceiling heights. A situation in which one room would be above another is impossible. Also, the player’s opponents and the vast majority of Doom’s elements are sprites – animated two-dimensional images. Despite the dominance of 3D games, pseudo-3D games continued to exist, becoming a distinct graphic style. There are quite a few games (Trine, Shadow Complex, Never Alone, Inside) where the level is rendered with a 3D engine, but motion and collision checking are limited to the X and Y axes. Remakes of retro games are often made according to this principle: DuckTales Remastered, Prince of Persia retro levels, etc. Posted by GameSpot. “Never Alone – Launch Trailer”. YouTube. November 15, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsriRZkdIJ4 And yes, the answer to the question “is anime 2D or 3D?” is unequivocal – anime has always been and remains 2D. 3D vs 2D Game Trends – What’s in Store For 2023? Let’s recall the heroes of 2022. The best 3D game of 2022 is Elden Ring, an open-world action/RPG game developed by Japanese company FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. The huge rich world, fascinating story, furious bosses, and limitless character development possibilities completely captivated the players, who unanimously admitted that many years of waiting were not in vain. Posted by BANDAI NAMCO Europe. “ELDEN RING – Official Gameplay Reveal”. YouTube. June 10, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Huy2cdih0 The best 2D game of 2022 is Marvel Snap, a collectible card game developed by Second Dinner and published by Nuverse for Windows, Android, and iOS. The game features a collection of various characters from the Marvel universe. Short tense matches of 5 minutes, eye-catching cards, and the ability to apply different strategies brought the game to the top charts of Steam and mobile app stores. Posted by Marvel Entertainment. “MARVEL SNAP | Gameplay Trailer”. YouTube. October 14, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNuq6E3enZQ What will 2023 offer us? Well, we’ve already analyzed potential technological trends for this year and agreed that there will be no unexpected breakthroughs. All the same usual trends in the metaverse, play-to-earn and cloud gaming, as well as the constant exploitation of the theme of remakes and reboots will continue their grand march. If we talk about 3D vs 2D games, then let’s highlight several key areas of development for each of them. Dive Deeper: ✔ rating of 97.56%.Let the players cut loose. In other words, beat ’em up, hack-and-slash, and bullet hell. Do you understand what we are talking about? In a world full of stress and tension, players need to let off steam, and game genres that allow them to massively annihilate enemies in various ways are what they need. The icing on the cake will be to spice it up with the roguelike fatality. Perfecto. Bring in the next batch of enemies.Non-standard thinking. In most cases, the specifics of 2D games will prevent you from surprising players with stunning graphics (excluding Ori). So you need to win them over with an idea. The local, even chamber scale of 2D games allows you to work out a certain idea to the absolute and to capture the player in a way that no 3D open world can. But for this, you need to try very hard with the idea and in no case try to copy something. No matter how 2D games develop, these points will be relevant. Think about it and make your choice. And while the most anticipated games of 2023 are all 3D variants, we’ll just paraphrase Victor Hugo “Nothing will stop the 2D idea whose time has come”. In the meantime, let’s sit back and calmly wait for the remakes of Dead Space (Jan. 27) and Resident Evil 4 (March 24), as well as brand new Hogwarts Legacy (Feb. 10), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (May 12), Diablo IV (June 6), Final Fantasy XVI (June 22), and, of course, mind-bending Alan Wake II (TBA). And you, everyone who is thinking/planning/hesitating about creating your game, be sure to check out our portfolio and contact us for

Since February 24, Kevuru Games has donated over UAH 4,000,000 for the needs of the army and volunteers. The funds were distributed as follows: UAH 2,900,000 was spent on the purchase of equipment and machinery for the Ukrainian military (thermal imagers, drones, aerial reconnaissance and communication equipment, power banks, transport). One of the last transfers in the amount of UAH 1,000,000 was sent for the needs of the military units of the Air Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The funds were used to purchase mobile washing and shower cabins for Ukrainian soldiers who are now on the front line. UAH 630,000 was accumulated for the purchase of medicines and special medical equipment, which were transferred directly to the front and to the most affected areas. For example, in the December tranche of aid, Kevuru Games transferred hemostatic patches to the Air Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – vital means for providing first aid at the front line. UAH 564,000 was allocated for cooperation with volunteer organizations and charitable foundations. Kevuru Games maintains a close relationship with volunteers who help the most affected regions and tries to help in the most needy requests. A significant part of these funds was provided to volunteers who take care of the Kharkiv region. In cooperation with Leleka Foundation, Kevuru Games donated $10,000 to purchase tactical first aid supplies for the Ukrainian military, field medics and ambulance crews.