For illustrators and animators, game development can add another dimension to their work, allowing the viewer to explore their art style and enjoy it a more directly interactive way.
The work of London-based artist James Shedden is a perfect example. He's using an increasingly popular free and open-source game engine to invite people into his enchanting animated worlds. He's gone from animating in Blender, the free 3D modelling software to creating a video game with his artwork in Godot Engine, one of the best game development software programs, and it looks beautiful.
Moonlit drink (Blender + Photoshop + EbSynth + After Effects) from r/blender
The video Moonlit Drink (above) shows the distinctive animation style that James has been developing through a hybrid 3D and 3D workflow. He creates atmospheric worlds with a stylised realism that has a tactile, handcrafted feel, like a picture book with woodcut illustrations that have come to life.
For his animation, James starts in Blender, creating simple models, lighting and colours (see below), then he adds the additional texture and details in Photoshop and animated details in Adobe's After Effects. He also uses EbSynth for animated effects.
Moonlit Drink's mysterious forest setting feels like a world you would want to lose yourself in, so James;s foray into game development seems a natural evolution. He's working on a cosy 3D game with a similar art style.
A Peaceful Place looks and sounds like it should live up to its name. Again, there's a tactile, handmade feel to the early footage, which shows a mouse character looking out from his island over gently lapping water under a starry sky.
James says the exact mechanics and features of the game are subject to change at this early stage but it sounds like the game will mainly be about exploring the island at leisurely place enjoying the nature. The aim is to evoke feelings of serenity, wonder and nostalgia
"You'll be balancing fun and engaging activites with simply taking in the environment around you, getting lost in the breathtaking views and looking up at an endlessly twinkling starry sky," James writes on Steam.
You can support James' work on kickstarter and wishlist A Peaceful Place on Steam.
