W
hen you think of
videogame concept
art, if you ever do
at all, it’s probably
just as something nice to look at in
an art book, magazine feature, or
unlockables gallery. Rarely do we stop
to consider just how important a part
of the process of development these
drawings and paintings truly are.
As we explore and engross
ourselves in expansive fantasy realms
and fight our way through science
fiction space operas and action-
packed adventure games it’s easy to
take it all these worlds for granted.
But without concept artists working
to infuse the first breaths of life into
these vistas, quite simply, none of
the games we love would exist at all.
As Darren Bacon, concept art lead
on Halo Infinite, puts it: “Concept
is the tip of the spear in the game
development process, driving the
conversations and proposals that
ultimately help give shape to ideas so
teams can confidently move forward
in consensus.” In other words, they
get everyone on the same page.1 Halo 5:
Guardians:
Concept
artists help
solidify a
developer’s
vision for
its videogame.
2 Dishonored 2:
Between the
first and
second games,
Emily Caldwin
transformed
from a
helpless
young child
to a deadly
assassin in
her own right.2
CONCEPT ART
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