Best Colours Based on Game Genres - Portfolio Building

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- Before diving into this subject, yesterday, on Discord, we started a new set of daily challenges called "ART COMPASS" for you to break the creative block. Daily I'll share 4 random topics and you will have 24h to make a 30min sketch of any of the topics. You can post your sketch in the #artcompass channel in our Patreon Discord. After that you will win skill points that I'll personally assign you in the same discord server. After the 24h are gone I'll share 4 more topics and we can start again. Feel free to join our Discord and dive in in these little challenges to boost your creativity and improve your skills. Back to the subject!-

If you're looking to break into a specific game genre but aren't sure where to begin, focusing on color schemes could be your entry point. Even though games aren't restricted by color limitations, each genre often has its own go-to palette, influenced by factors like color value and saturation.

In this article, I'll dive into the relationship between target audiences and color choices, providing justification for why certain colors dominate specific genres. I'll also offer portfolio-building tips aimed at those who want to specialize in a particular genre.

Understanding your target audience can guide you in making precise color choices, which in turn enhances the appeal and impact of your work. Let's dig deeper.

Cyberpunk

Target Audience: Cyberpunk often attracts audiences of all ages, but on average, it most commonly draws adults in the age range of 25-40. These are often individuals who grew up with classic sci-fi literature and films that explore dark, dystopian futures influenced by technology.

Color Justification: In the Cyberpunk genre, the palette is designed to mirror the juxtapositions inherent in these worlds: technology vs. humanity, law vs. lawlessness, and hope vs. despair. Dark, gritty hues emphasize the underbelly of society and the pitfalls of unchecked technology, while bright, neon accents serve to highlight important characters, objects, or areas within that world.

Portfolio Tips: When creating a Cyberpunk focused portfolio, consider using a base of dark shades like black or cold desaturated colors like blue, purple and green to set the tone. To highlight elements that capture the high-tech and rebellious spirit of Cyberpunk, incorporate neon accents in blue, pink, or green. This allows you to create a rich, complex visual experience that aligns with the genre's thematic elements.

Fantasy

Target Audience: This genre appeals to a broad spectrum, from children captivated by fairy tales to adults immersed in complex lore and world building, usually ages 10 to 50.

Color Justification: In fantasy settings, the color palette often serves to ground fantastical elements in a relatable world, while also highlighting the magic and wonder inherent in these realms. Earthy, natural hues lend authenticity and relatability, while accents in the palette can evoke elements of magic, royalty, or high adventure.

Portfolio Tips: For a Fantasy-focused portfolio, start with a base of earth tones to root your work in a relatable reality. To this, add accents like gold for royal elements or crimson for magical or adventurous moments. As you develop your portfolio, think about how you could use colors like forest green, deep blue, or muddy brown as a base, and accent with gold or crimson to capture the essence of the fantasy genre.

Military

Target Audience: This genre primarily attracts adults, particularly those aged 30-50, often with a background or keen interest in military history or tactical gameplay.

Color Justification: The color palette in military games is closely tied to the objectives of realism and tactical strategy. Camouflage patterns and muted tones are often used to echo real-world military environments, adding a layer of authenticity that enhances the gaming experience.

Portfolio Tips: For a portfolio focused on military games, start with a base of authentic earthy tones like olive drab, forest green, or slate gray. To emphasize the game's strategy and realism, include camouflage patterns in these colors. Don't overlook the importance of environmental context; for desert settings, consider adding sand yellow, and for arctic or winter conditions, incorporate icy blues. These choices will help your portfolio capture the range and depth of military settings.

Post-Apocalyptic

Target Audience: Typically attracting adults aged 25-40, these games often appeal to those who enjoy darker narratives that involve survival skills, resource management, and worldbuilding.

Color Justification: In a post-apocalyptic world, the environment is bleak, damaged, and decayed. The colors should reflect this grim reality, setting the stage for a narrative where survival is at its core. The subdued and muted tones underscore the dire circumstances, creating a sense of urgency and scarcity. They also provide an opportunity for contrast, emphasizing important elements in the game.

Portfolio Tips: When building your portfolio for post-apocalyptic themes, lean into colors that can convey this atmosphere effectively. Start with foundational hues like rust, olive, and brown to represent decay and deterioration. Mix these with pops of brighter colors rust orange, faded teal, or burnt yellow to draw attention to critical items or characters, without detracting from the overall desolate feel.

Sci-Fi

Target Audience: Sci-Fi often draws in a dual demographic of young people intrigued by futuristic concepts (ages 12-25) and older adults who have a long standing love for science fiction (ages 40-60).

Color Justification: In Sci-Fi settings, metallic shades like chrome and silver symbolize advanced technology and artificial materials. These colors immediately tell the player that they're in a future where metal and technology dominate. On the other hand, iridescent shades can evoke a sense of mystery, suggesting elements that are not just high-tech but possibly otherworldly.

Portfolio Tips: For a Sci-Fi portfolio, metallic colors should be your base to stay true to the genre's high-tech theme. If your setting is in space, deep blues and purples can signify the vast, open darkness and the mysterious entities it may contain. For alien landscapes, greens and oranges can offer a stark contrast to the more sterile metallic shades, suggesting an environment that is alive but foreign. Think about how lighting can affect these colors, creating mood or highlighting important elements.

Casual/Sim

Target Audience: Casual or simulation games appeal to a wide age range, from children to older adults, who are often looking for a more relaxed gaming experience that doesn't require intense focus or quick reflexes.

Color Justification: Casual or simulation games aim for an inviting, relaxed experience. Bright and saturated colors contribute to a cheerful atmosphere and can help keep players engaged. The color choices often prioritize readability and user-friendliness, making it easier for players to understand game mechanics and objectives.

Portfolio Tips: If you're aiming for a portfolio in the casual or sim game genre, focus on creating a palette that's inviting and won't tire the eyes. Balance out bright, cheerful colors with softer shades where you want less visual stress. Use colors like pastel blue, soft pink, creamy yellow, and muted green to keep the game visually appealing while also easy on the eyes.

Conclusion
Wrapping it all up, knowing the right colors for your game's genre can be more than just an aesthetic choice it can be a strategic one. Whether you're looking to make your mark in the Cyberpunk scene or bring a new angle to Fantasy gaming, understanding the standard color palettes can give you an edge. It's not just about picking what looks good; it's about picking what fits the world you're creating and resonates with the audience you're targeting. So, if you're planning to specialize in any of these genres, give those color palettes some serious thought.

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