A Complete Guide To Game Art And Animation

In any gaming session, players first see the visual component—the screenshots and trailers fuel interest in the upcoming entertainment. Of course, the gameplay and plot come next.

Did you know gamers are ready to pay the top dollar if you give them a high-quality product? This is where the game art comes in. It creates the atmosphere, embodies the idea, and evokes specific emotions. However, you should outsource animation services if you can't make such flawless art independently. Here is a complete guide to game art and animation.

What does a video game animator do?

Maybe you started in awe of the natural flow of your favorite video games or got inspired by the work of talented animators. Some folks call them the silent heroes of the gaming world. Well, any moving object in a video game is called animation.

A video game animator uses animation software to bring an aspect of personality, movement, and realism. The goal is to create a believable motion of characters in the set world or universe. 

Why should game art be outsourced?

Outsourcing refers to developing digital art with the help of an outsider. Your reputation and image play a decisive role in the highly competitive gaming environment. Whether 2D or 3D, you want someone with specific art experience. To ensure you're working with a professional, you should check the portfolio, customer reviews, released projects, work process, etc.

Working with a professional outsourcing gaming company vs. a freelancer

Gaming companies are known to be a stronghold of specialists. You'll find professionals who specialize in gaming art. They are better than freelancers who drift to ocean art without leads and guides. But that doesn't mean that you can't get a competent freelancer. The challenge with such folks is to order what you want separately. If something goes wrong, you find a replacement. In contrast, you don't have to worry about management if you put your work in the hands of a professional. Here are some benefits of working with a gaming company:

- You can select professionals versed in the art you need

- The company can handle organizational issues, team equipment, and technical support. Once you assign the task, you must only follow the progress and provide additional adjustments.

- When it comes to quality, an outsourced studio will provide the best so that you can recommend them to others who need their services.

- It's a common practice to sign a non-disclosure agreement so all your materials are safe.

Is game art studio and game art outsourcing studio the same?

Technically, they are both the same. The best studios offer their services to both small and large companies. If you just started, it makes sense to source for small studios that can provide a constant stream of services. On the other hand, gaming outsourcing companies specialize in specific fields, such as 2D, 3D, or animation. You should carefully analyze the art resource studios to ensure you get the best bang for your buck. Perhaps the best approach is to prepare a brief draft of what you want.

Steps to game art animation outsourcing

Monitor the sourcing market

You must conduct a thorough background check if you want the most appropriate partner. More specifically, you should pay attention to their portfolio, customer reviews, hourly rates, etc. But perusing their website is not enough for the initial stages of communication:

- Do they answer your questions immediately?

- Does the team just sell the service?

- Are they willing to listen to your project details?

- Do they give feedback on time?

Apart from that, you should check whether the studio has a blog. You get information on their expertise, experience, and advice here. The payment method also matters. You want to work with a studio that accepts payment via PayPal, Payoneer, and bank transfers. 

Give precise details of your project

A conversation with a specific game art studio will help you understand what the team can do. A lack of clarity on tasks is always a red flag. Furthermore, you want to provide as much input as possible to ensure the team matches your requirements. True professionals will always understand the scope of your project.

For the best result, describe the elements for the production of objects. That way, you'll speed up the work.

Participate in the design pipeline

Outsourcing doesn't mean that you're not part of the design. The truth is that the final product will largely depend on the collaboration between you and the company. After all, you don't want any mismatch in the final design.

The artists make sketches, fine-tune them, and then create finished artwork that aligns with your needs. That said, you want to describe the artistic styles you want succinctly.

How much does a game art outsource cost?

No matter what your outsourcing service is, you want to optimize the production cost. What's wrong if you pay your in-house rates to another company? The primary cost factor is the delivery schedule - you want your project to meet the deadline.

Here is the catch - the actual cost will depend on the level of complexity and task scale. The rate may also vary depending on the location and level of competence.

Most game art outsourcing companies will charge an hourly rate. As long as the appropriate proportions are legitimate, you should be ready to pay the top dollar. But before you commit yourself, make sure you know how much you'll pay.

Will a game outsourcing company put the game on platforms?

Yes. Have you ever wondered why a gaming company works better than freelancers? It's all about integrity. When the team members work together, they learn the speed and weaknesses of each other. They also focus on areas they wish to improve or accelerate. On the other hand, freelancers are not acquitted in any way, so they can't work as a team.

Final thoughts

Whatever in-game asset you need, a competent gaming company will create it irrespective of the level of complexity. First, you should communicate the scope of your project with the animation outsourcing company to ensure you get the best product that keeps you ahead of the game. The best expert artists will turn the initial ideas into full-fledged worlds. Of course, you want characters designed to charm even the most hard-core gamers.