Sony has said that 3D is “gaming’s biggest revolution.” Senior Development Manager Simon Benson has stated “Retrofitting 3D is actually harder than building 3D into a game from the outset.” Apparently more labor hours are spent taking older version 2D games and finding ways to expand them to 3D. Logic would dictate the opposite to be true, but apparently as long as you’re starting with a blank screen, anything is possible. When things are already set in stone, it’s a bit harder to transform.
Benson goes on to state “One of the big issues is that all of the game assets were designed to work with only one HD output. Being able to render them twice to make a 3D output can be a challenge. One of the big issues is that all of the game assets were designed to work with only one HD output. Being able to render them twice to make a 3D output can be a challenge.”
What does it take to make a 3D Game?
3D design is an art that is limitless in potential. If you can imagine it, you can create it. Having the tools and adequate training in how to use them, will be the gauge to your success. Anyone can come off looking like a professional.
The most important tool is the game engine. This can’t be any game engine. It needs to be a professional quality one with the following MUST HAVE features:
* Editor
This is used to construct your 3D game world. It handles all the details.
* Renderer
It is needed to display your game world as an image on the players screen.
* Physics
Motion engine that simulates real world gravity, collisions and all sorts of physical movements.
* Exporter
A nifty tool to create the set of files that you’ll give or sell to people.
Here is a bit of information that not a lot of people know. The major game engine companies allow the download and use of their professional software to personally use for no initial fee. It’s a great way to find out if it’s something you have a talent for. A career in game design can be started just that easy at no cost!
Let’s say you end up creating a game that ends up being the world’s next gaming hit. Once you start seeing some serious chunks of change, then you’re going to have the share the wealth. You’ll have to start paying a contribution to the game engine that makes your game possible. Seems fair doesn’t it? Your contribution will help with the continued development of the game engine, which really benefits yourself and your creation anyway. This is how they pay for all the updates and upgrades in hardware.
3D Model Software
Borrowing 3D model designs from places on the internet will get you by for a quick start, but you’ll eventually want to get creative and make your own buildings, people and animals. These are called game assets and will require the use of a 3D editor. If you aren’t able to find any free ones you like and can’t afford an editor, try locating some low cost models available for sale.
Animation Creation Software
3D Modeling software normally includes support for animating your characters, if needed. Professional 3D modeling and animation packages like 3D Studio Max are pretty expensive but there are some great low cost alternatives. You can try advertising in artistic media forums and group purchase used programs that others have become disinterested in. Then again, if you search hard enough, there are some free programs, although the quality could be dicey. The important thing is giving it a try! You never know, maybe it really is as easy as Sony proclaims.
The article is being posted by Jason Phillips. He loves video games designing as he designed games for the site Truck Games 365 and was successful in that.