Media Assets in Computer Games Text Media Assets

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Media Assets in Computer Games Text

Media Assets in Computer Games Text

Media Assets used in Games �Graphics �Images – photos �Animation �Video �Audio �Text �Copyright

Media Assets used in Games �Graphics �Images – photos �Animation �Video �Audio �Text �Copyright issues

Graphics �A graphic can be a vector or bitmap images, such as photographs, sprites,

Graphics �A graphic can be a vector or bitmap images, such as photographs, sprites, tiling textures, background images, etc �Vector graphics are built up by using shapes. Each shape (object) which makes up a graphic has its own set of properties also known as attributes. A full definition of the attributes of the shape is stored. This is more memory efficient than bit-mapped graphics which store the state of every pixel. Vector graphics have small file sizes in comparison to bit-mapped graphics.

Graphics �Bitmapped graphics are made up of a rectangular grid (or array) of dots

Graphics �Bitmapped graphics are made up of a rectangular grid (or array) of dots or pixels — each of which is stored individually. The colour value of every pixel is stored. File sizes can be large since each pixel would typically take up to three or four bytes. Bitmapped graphics (images) are captured by scanners and digital cameras are bitmapped.

Graphics �File types used in Games include jpeg, bmp, gif �Capture methods: digital camera,

Graphics �File types used in Games include jpeg, bmp, gif �Capture methods: digital camera, scanner �Vectors can be drawn with a mouse, keyboard or graphics tablet

What Graphics are used for � A sprite is a figure or character within

What Graphics are used for � A sprite is a figure or character within a game. Sprites usually have a transparent outline and can be animated to simulate movement. Characters in some games are also known as avatars. � A background image is a type of texture that shows a landscape image � 3 D objects (including characters): Items or characters that can be placed within the game � 3 D levels: laying out the areas of game play, such as hills, cities, rooms, tunnels, etc, for players and characters to move around in.

What Graphics are used for �Skyboxes: a skybox is a cube with background images

What Graphics are used for �Skyboxes: a skybox is a cube with background images that surrounds the game player in a 3 D game.

What Graphics are used for �Textures: textures are attributes of graphics. This attribute defines

What Graphics are used for �Textures: textures are attributes of graphics. This attribute defines the surface appearance of what objects with look like. It can be thought of as the skin of that wraps around the 3 D framework of the object to give it a more realistic appearance images that are mapped onto surfaces of objects such as stone walls and wooden tables.

Videos �A video is a moving image file in a format that is compatible

Videos �A video is a moving image file in a format that is compatible with the game development environment �file types — avi, mpeg wav �methods of capture — digital video camera �Adobe Premier and Song Vegas are used to edit video � tools for editing — titling, cropping

Animation �An animation is a collection of still images with each one in the

Animation �An animation is a collection of still images with each one in the sequence slightly different from the previous. The images are played quickly one after the other to give the illusion of movement. This is known as the frame rate.

Animation � 2 D (dimension) is used to create cartoon style games �Software such

Animation � 2 D (dimension) is used to create cartoon style games �Software such as Adobe Flash is used to create online games. �File format – gif and swf

Animation � 3 D is used to create realistic, life like games � 3

Animation � 3 D is used to create realistic, life like games � 3 D Studio Max and Maya are just some of the software used to create 3 D animation

Properties of Media Assets � FPS (Frames per Second) is the frame rate for

Properties of Media Assets � FPS (Frames per Second) is the frame rate for playing back animation and video. � 12 fps is the minimum acceptable rate � 15 fps is common for the web � 24 fps for film � 25 fps for PAL (British TV) � 30 fps for NTSC (USA TV) � Image resolution determines how many dots per inch as used for images e. g. 72 dpi, 96 dpi are the most common � Screen resolution determines how may pixels (width x height) make up a screen e. g. 800 x 600, 1024 x 756, 1280 x 1024. Control Panel>Display. TVs tend to have smaller resolutions than computer screens, so pictures on a computer may not look as pixelated. � Colour depth is the amount of colours per pixel e. g 16, 24, 32, 48 – change this under Control Panel>Display. � The bigger the number = bigger file size

Audio �Audio is sound of any type played in a game. �Types of audio

Audio �Audio is sound of any type played in a game. �Types of audio media assets include: � Speech: such as the voices for characters � Sound effects: noises of objects in the game. � Music: background music that usually loops and repeats during the game play. �Software – Adobe Audition, Audacity �file types — raw, wav, mp 3, midi. �methods of capture — from microphone, extract from CD, using audio keyboard �tools for editing — echo, change pitch, speed, amplify change tempo

Text �Text media assets are required for the game to provide dialogue, create and

Text �Text media assets are required for the game to provide dialogue, create and atmosphere give player feedback or instructions �file types — txt, rtf �methods of capture — keyboard, scanner, voice recognition, handwriting recognition �Software used – Microsoft Word, Notepad, Word pad

Copyright � You need to get copyright permission to use ready made assets and

Copyright � You need to get copyright permission to use ready made assets and you may have to pay royalties to use them. � Games companies in the UK are protected by the Copyright Designs and Patents act http: //www. copyrightservice. co. uk/copyright/p 01_uk_cop yright_law � Royalty free assets mean that you pay once and have to adhere to the terms and conditions. � Creative Commons assets mean that you can use them for free if you adhere to the terms and conditions http: //search. creativecommons. org

File Compression � Media assets can take up a lot of storage space and

File Compression � Media assets can take up a lot of storage space and memory, especially video and 3 D animation. � When you save or export these files you normally have to save then as a compressed file format such as: � Mp 3 (audio), mpeg 1/2/4 (video) � GIF (graphics) � Jpeg (photos, life like graphics, graphics with effects) � Swf (2 D animation) � Compression looks for repeat information in a file and reduces it in some way. � The aim is to keep the quality of the file but reduce the file size of it. � There are 2 types: � Lossy (jpeg, mpeg) gets rid of data permanently. Don’t keep editing this � Lossless (gif) temporarily gets rid of some data until the file is opened (decompressed). File sizes are usually not as small as lossy.