How can you create 3D models and animations that are consistent across different game franchises?

1 Define your style guide

A style guide is a document that outlines the visual and technical standards for your 3D models and animations. It can include guidelines for color schemes, lighting, textures, shapes, proportions, details, rigging, motion, and more. A style guide helps you create a consistent look and feel for your game franchise, as well as avoid errors and inconsistencies. You can use existing style guides from other games or media as references, or create your own based on your vision and goals.

2 Use modular and scalable assets

Modular and scalable assets are 3D models and animations that can be reused, combined, and adjusted to fit different scenarios and levels. For example, you can create a modular building that can be assembled from different parts, or a scalable character that can be customized with different outfits and accessories. Modular and scalable assets can help you save time and resources, as well as create variety and diversity in your game franchise. You can use tools like Blender, Maya, or Unity to create and manage your modular and scalable assets.

3 Apply consistent lighting and shading

Lighting and shading are crucial elements that affect the mood, atmosphere, and realism of your 3D models and animations. You want to use lighting and shading that match the tone and genre of your game franchise, as well as the platform and engine you are using. For example, you can use realistic lighting and shading for a horror game, or stylized lighting and shading for a cartoon game. You can also use global illumination, ambient occlusion, shadows, reflections, and other effects to enhance your lighting and shading. You can use tools like Unreal Engine, Unity, or Photoshop to apply and edit your lighting and shading.

4 Optimize your performance and quality

Performance and quality are two factors that can affect the user experience and satisfaction of your game franchise. You want to optimize your 3D models and animations to run smoothly and look good on different devices and platforms. To do this, you need to balance the level of detail, resolution, polygon count, texture size, animation frames, and other parameters of your 3D assets. You can use tools like MeshLab, Substance Painter, or Blender to optimize your 3D assets.

5 Test and iterate your 3D assets

Testing and iterating your 3D models and animations is an essential part of the design process. You want to test your 3D assets in different game environments, scenarios, and perspectives, as well as get feedback from your team, clients, or users. Testing and iterating can help you identify and fix any issues, errors, or gaps in your 3D assets, as well as improve their functionality, usability, and appeal. You can use tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, or Sketchfab to test and iterate your 3D assets.

6 Learn from other game franchises

Learning from other game franchises can be a great way to inspire and improve your 3D models and animations. You can study how other game franchises use 3D assets to create immersive, engaging, and memorable experiences for their players. You can also analyze how they adapt their 3D assets to different genres, platforms, and audiences, as well as how they overcome challenges and limitations. You can use platforms like Steam, YouTube, or ArtStation to explore and learn from other game franchises.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?