Games Vs. Movie Animation: What Makes Them Different?

Hansa Mondal Jan 16, 2023

What is the one factor that makes video games and animated movies alike? The visual treatment of the storyline and the life-like resemblance of its characters, no doubt! However, although seemingly alike, the animation tools and concepts used in gaming and movies are inherently different. While both are made using a similar set of tools and concepts, their procedures and methods differ greatly, and understanding this is the key to mapping the fast pace growth of both industries, within the domain of animation. The quality and quantity of games and animated films, both continue to rise over the course of each decade, as does the ease with which they may be played and enjoyed.

A quick look at the Gaming and Animation industry:

The gaming industry in India, which was worth USD 2.6 billion in 2022, is predicted to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27 per cent to USD 8.6 billion by 2027. In the fiscal year 2022, India had over 50.7 crore gamers, with about one-fourth (12 crores) being paying customers. Almost in the recent year, the overall number of gamers increased by over 5.7 crores, representing a 12 per cent increase.

The animation sector has expanded by 24 per cent, and the animation and VFX business is predicted to reach Rs 180 billion by 2024, according to the FICCI EY March 2022 study. In three years, from now until 2024, the animation and VFX market is anticipated to more than quadruple to Rs 180 billion. In the next two to three years, 50 per cent of Indian studios will adopt virtual/real-time production methods. More studios will start offering internal training. Institutions will start up in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to develop the creative potential presently there.

Film animators are often held to a higher standard than video game artists in terms of the level of detail required in their work. Video game animators are expected to have a solid understanding of how consoles operate, and they frequently provide creative solutions to problems brought on by the technology. Despite the fact that the two duties are separate from one another, none is easier.

Focus angles

Video game animations need to be clean and attractive from every aspect. In video games, if the player turns around, the director with the cameras is hidden from view. Movie animators focus solely on the 2D or camera perspective and ignore everything else that the camera overlooks.

Software

Movies are supposed to be seen, not interacted with, thus the intrinsic programming is often designed to produce noticeable consequences without the user's interaction. Because they are not reacting to anything, the models do not need to respond to stimuli. All activities in video games are within the player's control. This implies that motion sequences should be coded to respond to single or many buttons, and the environment's inhabitants or objects should be sensitive to the user's activities.

Sound application and quality of sound

Speech and other sound effects are essential for a great animation video in movies. There is no reason for designers to skimp on their audio because movies are not produced frame-by-frame. The real-time rendering limitations of video games prevent the use of sound and instead choose to employ musical backgrounds in the repetitive MIDI or WAV format. The graphics output engines are severely slowed down and under a lot of stress when voices are added to game characters, thus decreasing the game's enjoyment.

Movements

Animations for video games must incorporate and emphasize quick, short-cycle actions. This movie does not have choreographed battle scenes, in contrast to others. In games, players choose when to slide, leap, kick, reload, run, and do other actions. In order to provide the player or user with a satisfactory and thorough animation experience, it is required to integrate the quick animated cycles.

Motion and Artificial Intelligence (AI) scripted

Most gaming settings have created a range of Artificial Intelligence (AI) engines to help with regulating in-game character behavior and enhancing their intelligence. This is due to the fact that models for video games are typically more life-like than those for movies since they may learn from their prior activities and even store them in the memory of the video game. Since they are only acting out animated screenplay, movie models do not require artificial intelligence engines.

Movies and video games are two very different industries. The games are meant to be participatory, with the player controlling every move. Films are what the producer wants the audience to see, thus he has complete control over the process. This does not imply that one is more challenging than the other. An animator must recognise that everyone has unique qualities.

It doesn't matter if you enjoy animating for video games or movies; what matters is that you love what you do and are good at it. Therefore, being aware of the differences will help you better understand your career in animation.