What are the best camera angles and perspectives to use in game design?

The fixed camera provides players with a clear, consistent view of the game world, allowing them to plan and execute their strategies effectively. It's useful in simple 2D games where there isn't much action taking place on the screen. The decision to use a fixed camera in game design depends on the genre, gameplay mechanics, and artistic style of the the game.

A fixed camera should be used only in more static settings. Puzzle games, or sometimes even in 2D platformer ones, although this requires careful planning as it can make for quite a boring scene if not we'll executed.

Framing scenes and characters in advance draws attention to environmental details, intensifies enemy encounters, and builds tension through unseen threats. These cameras can change angles to reveal hidden paths, expose enemy weaknesses, and make players reconsider their strategies. Without control over the view, navigating levels becomes engaging which requires spatial awareness and strategic positioning. This intentional direction, combined with precise enemy placement and environmental storytelling, adds a sense of vulnerability and discovery to even the most mundane actions and also reduces cognitive load.

This really depends on games for examples like in RPG games it is best to have a 2nd person camera angle and they have proved to be best of all time like Elden ring Skyrim Witcher But in shooting games in my opinion 1st person is the best camera angle to experience the full richness of the game. It provides more connectivity and overall aesthetics of the games like Call of duty Modern warfare As for the 3rd person camera angle i have no experience of those games but as i have seen it suites online or p2E games more.

A top-down isometric view camera, which can be considered a fixed camera, is very useful in strategy games. A great example is the 2020 RTS game Desperados III by Mimimi games. It allows the player to see the whole world at once and to plan and strategize. In some games, a "fog of war" mechanic can be implemented to allow the player to see only the parts of the world they have explored. This adds a sense of exploration and realism to the game. An example of this is the 2003 "Command and Conquer: Generals" by EA Games.

To use a third-person camera effectively, you should consider some of the following aspects: 1. The distance and field of view of the camera. 2. The pivot point and offset of the camera. 3. The movement and rotation of the camera. 4. The collision and occlusion of the camera.

Placing the camera behind the character creates a spatial relationship that enhances the player's connection with the in-game avatar, giving them a sense of control. This perspective also allows for a broader view of the game world, enabling players to interact with the environment and make informed decisions. Additionally, this camera viewpoint strengthens the narrative connection as players witness the protagonist's actions and interactions with the game world. Implementing the third-person camera requires finding a balance between maintaining a clear line of sight and creating an immersive feel.

Third person camera widely used in action and adventure games, the third person perspective enhances player immersion by placing the camera behind the character. It allows a better view of the game world and the character's actions.

The purpose of using this perspective is to enhance the player's emotional immersion, create tension, or establish a stronger connection to the narrative and environment.

Common in shooters and immersive experiences, the first-person perspective immerses players directly into the character's viewpoint. It intensifies the player's connection with the game environment.

First-person camera has three modes: 1) The player's body or arms are not visible on the screen. This is the easiest mode because you don't have to work on adding player model animations, hand-held assets, or weapons. 2) The second type is arms only. In this mode, you would need a model of the arms with animation for the arms. Then you would need to create sockets on hands to which weapons and other player tools can be attached. 3) Is a full body mode where the full player model is used and animated. The camera is attached to the head, and when the player looks down they can see their legs and arms. This requires full-body animations. I find that adding step sound effects is easier with a full body model.

The choreography of camera movements is important in the cinematic camera, as it smoothly transitions between perspectives and improves the overall experience.

Cinematic camera suited for storytelling moments, the cinematic camera creates dynamic shots, enhancing the narrative. It's often used for cutscenes, adding a cinematic flair to pivotal moments in the game.

It depends genre to genre but using a mixed camera technique tends to happen more effective. The reason is the users sometimes get bored with a singular camera angle approach. So they want action from different perspective. And if you don't want the user to get bothered with changing cameras, then maybe give option of "switch camera" to give freedom of choice for the users. With this approach user can have numerous unique experiences of gameplay and the game will eventually have better engagement, retention and feedback from the users.

The idea of a mixed camera in game design is fascinating because it combines player agency, immersion, and adaptability. Implementing the mixed camera system judiciously, using subtle cues and gradual transitions, can prevent overwhelming players with disjointed perspectives and ensure a harmonious experience.

Camera angles play a crucial role in your games success whilst influencing your players experience and providing enriched storytelling. Using various camera angles to enhance immersion, emphasize specific aspects, and guide your players attention can greatly increase your games overall perceived production value for very little cost. However, don't re-invent the wheel here, choose the best camera angle that fit's your game and experiment with options for creating surprise and delight to pull your player in.

This is not a one-size-fits-all question. Different genres require different cameras. There can be secondary and tertiary moments in any game that may leverage additional camera types. For example, you may have a third-person game with fixed-screen mini-games like hacking. Or, you could have a third-person camera that switches to first-person when using a sniper rifle. The important thing is you are utilizing a camera or cameras that best serve your game. Always keep in mind that every type will have pros and cons.

Just like in films, game designers can use camera angles to create tension, suspense, intimacy, or excitement. By studying cinematic techniques, such as close-ups for emotional impact, wide shots for scale, or dynamic camera movements for action sequences, game designers can elevate the storytelling and gameplay experience, immersing players in a world filled with emotion and atmosphere. So, next time you're stuck in game design, look to the big screen for inspiration—it might just take your game to the next level

Try to think about the different types of camera placements and play test each one of them to make sure that I works well. Sometimes you can even mix and match different types of camera angles and positions to make for a more compelling game.

There are more than a century of movies and shows that were filmed with physical cameras. The cameras were heavy. The cameras had big cables. The cameras required special rigs to maneuver. That resulted in a vocabulary of camera angles and camera movements that the world has gotten used to. When you introduce a camera movement that could not easily have been created with a physical camera, you then move outside of the vocabulary of camerawork that people are most used to. If ever something feels off in the camerawork of your virtual camera: think to yourself how this shot would be achieved with a big ol' film camera on some rig; emulate the real world camerawork, and see if things right themselves.