It has a few different names, real-time VFX, real time VFX, and even game VFX but they’re all the same thing. Real-time VFX are the effects we see in a video game. From mist, rain, sand, and ash to confetti, fireworks, explosions, and world-ending detonations, real-time VFX is the term that covers them all.

Real-time VFX has come a long way from its origins. Originally, pre-rendered cutscenes were the solution to high-quality video game graphics but those days are long gone as we’ve entered the world of stunning real-time VFX.

What is VFX in Games?

Realtime VFX, real-time VFX, and game VFX are all variations of the same service. Not to be mistaken for TV or movie FX, nor for the pre-rendered VFX you might find in gaming or other forms of entertainment. 

It’s important to understand the complexity and skill that goes into creating and delivering real-time VFX as they are, precisely that, real time. These pieces of entertainment need to be created so that they can be viewed from any angle a player might be able to see them. A beautiful explosion for cinema can be crafted a bit easier because it’s going to be seen from the same angle by every viewer. However, a game VFX explosion will be viewed from a hundred angles and elevations.

Not only that but as they are processed and run as real time VFX, which means they need to be created optimally. Efficiency to ensure they aren’t too taxing on a system is an extra layer of complexity that our stellar real time VFX artists must consider.

Technologies of Real-time VFX

There are two main engines that will likely be used or referenced by all major game VFX artists and managers. These being Unreal Engine, its latest version of Unreal Engine 5. And Unity, which has Unity 6 launching soon! Both of these engines offer VFX elements such as Shuriken for particle systems or the new Niagara VFX system.

For 3D elements, which includes everything from particles and simulations to characters and environments, you’ll find Maya, 3ds Max, Houdini, Blender, and ZBrush. These each serve their own purposes, such as ZBrush for modeling and sculpting 3D characters or Houdini which has a good reputation for simulations.

After Effects and Photoshop are always going to be included in anything artist related. They are mainstays of the art world, with AE being a magnificent program covering all of your animation and motion graphics needs. Photoshop is, of course, the graphics and photo editor known and used by all.

Why do we need Game VFX?

The visual spectrum, from the models of our characters and the environments they trek through, is absolutely integral to player immersion and the playing experience. 

If you consider all that is encompassed by the term “real time VFX”, it’s easy to understand why we need it! From gunshots and magic spells to whisps of dust and clouds of smoke, the big and the small visual effects that occupy our screens help sell the immersion and place players into the experience. Not only does it have an impact on the visual storytelling and the game immersion, it’s also integral to the gameplay as well. Game VFX helps to inform players of the nature of certain elements. Bubbling green liquid that hisses and spits sounds like harmful poison or acid, but a warm, calm blue pool might refresh our hero and refill some of their health or stamina. These things are incomplete without real-time VFX!

Get in touch with Magic Media today and leverage our incredible visual storytelling through stunning real-time VFX. Our services are comprehensive including real-time VFX, art production, concept art, animation, and much more. No matter what you need, speak to us and let’s create magic!

Real-time VFX is an incredible visual tool in gaming that helps create a sense of immersion, set specific tones, create visual feedback for players, and acts as a communication device from the game to the player. From incredible superpowers to foggy urban streets and roaring fires, game VFX’s role is not to be understated and is growing more potent with each passing year.

Real-time VFX for games is one of Magic Media’s cornerstone services, with which we have years of experience working on a diverse range of projects, from indie to AAA. Let’s uncover what game VFX is and how it changes game development’s possibilities.

The Roles of Real-Time Game VFX

Real-time game VFX fulfills several roles. It plays an important role in player communication so that they inherently understand what is happening throughout their gameplay experience. In most games, certain effects mean specific things universally. Blue or white magical effects in fantasy games often represent healing, whereas red could mean a damaging effect. This also applies to more common effects such as fire, water, wind, and more, where we intrinsically understand their effects because they’ve been well-communicated visually.

Real-time video game VFX also plays a significant role in immersing players in the game world. Some horror games, like the classic Silent Hill 2, make plentiful use of real-time VFX to create a foggy, unknowable atmosphere, which helps dial up the game’s palpable sense of tension. Magical worlds like the realm of Vanaheim in God of War Ragnarok use real-time VFX to create an extraordinary and other-worldly atmosphere, with multicolored visual phenomenons that would be impossible to see in real life.

Real-Time Game VFX Techniques

Several different techniques are used to create the desired real-time game VFX. Particle systems are used to create effects such as smoke, fire, sparks, and magical spell effects. Particle effects are defined by numerous small particles whose properties can be adjusted to generate an effect. Their size, color, velocity, lifespan, and much more can be adjusted to produce various effects. These robust options make particle effects one of the most powerful techniques in real-time video game VFX.

Shaders are programs that draw on a system’s GPU to manipulate objects in real-time. Pixel shaders, for example, are GPU-based programs that control the color and lighting of individual on-screen pixels. They can be used for dynamic lighting effects, reflection, and refraction, and are only limited by the imagination of the developers creating them.

Responsive Real-Time Game VFX

Perhaps one of the biggest strengths of real-time video game VFX is its responsiveness to player actions. Inflicting damage upon enemies is a common example, where blood effects are produced in response to the attack. Preparing magical attacks is often accompanied by appropriately colored effects emanating from the player or their weapon of choice. Enemy weak spots, a common combat gameplay mechanic, will often glow with a particular color and visually respond when attacked to communicate with the player they successfully struck a critical spot.

Gamers, whether experienced or not, will more often than not be able to intuit the results of their actions in games with high-quality real-time game VFX. Though these communication devices formed in real-time VFX might not be overly noticeable to some, especially regular gamers, the absence of it could have a profound effect on one’s ability to understand actions and their results in games. It’s critical to design real-time game VFX with practicality in mind as well as its aesthetics. Its role is more critical to player experience and engagement than many realize.

For world-class real-time VFX for gaming projects, look no further than Magic Media. We’re uniquely positioned to provide dozens of expert services for projects in the gaming, tech, and entertainment industries. Full-cycle game development, cybersecurity, and game art services are just a few of our specialties. Get in contact today, and let’s create magic!

Our next stop in the Day in the Life series is one of our finest technical artists and VFX specialists, Marc Segura! As a veteran of the industry, with a keen eye for detail and quality, Marc took up the mantle of Head of Technical Art & VFX Art teams. Dive into a day in the life of Marc as we look into what his responsibilities are, the intricacies of technical art and VFX art, and what he feels takes good art to great!

Responsibilities and Workflows

As the head of the tech art & VFX art teams, Marc’s main duties lie in managing, guiding, and leading the teams across the variety of projects on their schedules. From AAA games on all consoles and platforms, including web and VR, to smaller indie titles utilizing our services. Many of these are developed in parallel across platforms as well.

Marc also helps to develop a collaborative culture to keep the collected teams motivated and enthusiastic as they approach their work. Technical Art and VFX Art are two industries that require a lot of future planning, so Marc also spends a lot of his time spearheading the R&D efforts for new technologies and workflows.

A Typical Day as Head of Tech Art & VFX Art

Meetings fill chunks of every day, where we define roadmaps, workflows, guidelines, and establish long term project visions for viability. In these and between them, Marc is also directing and assisting with solving critical issues that typically arise at some point in every project. Providing solutions and fixes are his forte.

Marc also typically finds himself working with the BizDev team when they require technical expertize. This is usually when clients require insight in identifying the best decision for them to ensure their project achieves its goals. Marc will also spent time directly with his team providing support and mentorship as they take on their own technical art & VFX art tasks as well as providing feedback on new drafts, offering guidance on complex tasks involving shaders or materials, and more.

The Difference Between Technical Art & VFX Art

Technical Art

According to Marc, at its core, technical art is about creative problem solving between art and development. In video game projects, this is a combination of tackling asset integration and optimization, rigging, shader and material development, graphical performance optimizations, working with new tools for artists, and more.

VFX Art

When discussing VFX for video games, Marc says it is often referred to as “real-time VFX”. This is the process of using a set of tools and techniques to generate different kinds of visual effects for games. These can include special effects, animations, and simulations (i.e., smoke, water, fire etc.). These enhance a project at a visual level making things more interesting to view but they also serve to communicate gameplay elements to players.

What Makes Technical Art & Real-Time VFX Standout?

For Marc, each speciality has its balances and requirements.

Technical Art

Due to the combination of development and art, tech artists can truly make a difference in a game’s performance. Finding a good balance between art and technology can mean a smoother and more enjoyable player experience. Great technical art can also help improve the workflow between artist and developer. Optimization like that means reducing production time, and therefore costs, in the art pipeline.

VFX Art or Real-Time VFX

This is a very visual artform, its main goal is to draw the eye and improve moments through breathtaking visuals and mesmerizing effects. Particle systems and post-processing techniques can enhance the look and feel of a game. But great real-time VFX will also communicate to players, express not just feelings and emotions, but gameplay elements or story implications. Storytelling through real-time VFX and visuals can be a hugely impactful.

At Magic Media, we specialize in top-tier Real-Time VFX services for immersive gaming. Our dedicated team harnesses their extensive experience to deliver high-impact visuals, pushing your video game to pinnacle levels of visual appeal and immersive gameplay.

Challenges and Meeting Client Expectations

As Head of Tech Art & VFX Art, Marc is used to approaching a wide range of challenges for an array of different projects. He says it’s important to scale the challenges and approach the critical issues first. Responding quickly and efficiently to critical situations, such as issues with chosen engine or render pipeline, or optimization techniques not meeting their expectations.

Marc impresses upon the importance of assessing client needs as soon as possible and choosing suitable tools and solutions. Adaptability is also key, meaning the team remains flexible in the face of any art style. As the Head, a lot of Marc’s challenges revolve around leading the team forward on the ground with innovative solutions.

For client expectations, this is such a tough thing to face. We addressed above that understanding their needs and offering a realistic pipeline is a good start but in the world of art, it’s tricky. Teams are always working to deliver the best quality artworks but these take time and compromises must be made for timelines.

Pushing for the best result is always the goal but Marc says it’s important to never push into harmful behavior. Experienced artists often have a better grasp on the balance of pushing oneself for quality versus the speed of delivery. Balance, Marc says, is absolutely key. And as Head of the department, it’s one of his responsibilities to ensure artists keep that balance and meet the expectations of the client without causing themselves any issues.

Marc says he’s proud of Magic Media for the multicultural, international talented team it has built. And talented not just in their tech/hard skills but in the soft skills as well. He says “our people are pro-actively motivated. Trying to share knowledge, to help each other, to bring a common vision together from multiple perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

At Magic Media, we’re veterans of the gaming, entertainment, and tech industries and provide dozens of expert services to bring your projects to life. Guilherme and the team provide full art services for gaming projects no matter their size and scope. Additionally, we offer full-cycle development, real-time VFX, and much more. Get in contact with Magic Media today, and let’s create magic!

Inspired by the wondrous magic of Hogwarts Legacy, our talented real-time VFX artists set out to create a magical effect that could match the majestic magic seen in the Wizarding World game. Rather than taking directly from Hogwarts Legacy’s real-time VFX, our artists wanted to explore their creativity within the realm of magical real-time VFX.

Read on to learn more about our process for creating the Displacement Vortex, a powerful magical ability that can remove even the most fearsome threats from challenging encounters!

Conceptualizing the Displacement Vortex

For the Displacement Vortex, we decided early on that we wanted it to be a more active ability with clear defensive and offensive properties, compared to the more passive abilities of Hogwarts Legacy that inspired it. For the initial pass at the scene, we used basic character models so we could test the shader we developed for the piece.

Though rather straightforward, the shader presented us with multiple options for manipulating the displacement effect. With our shader, we can change the offset of the displacement effect and make different curves along different axes of rotation. With these simple parameters, we could wildly change the composition of the displacement effect as we saw fit.

Though it was important for us to have characters involved in the scene to make it feel like a gameplay showcase, it was equally critical to pay particular attention to the urn itself and its movements. We decided to keep focus on the urn so that it feels like a character in and of itself. It was paramount to focus on the urn, as it’s a central part of the overall Displacement Vortex effect.

Building On the Displacement Vortex

Over time, we added further effects like lens flares to make the scene more visually compelling. The urn continued to be a central aspect of the piece throughout the displacement vortex’s development, but we wanted to add emphasis to the monster being trapped by it.

As the urn primarily uses yellows, we leveraged this to draw attention to the monsters by using contrasting purples. For the displacement effect itself, we used a mix of yellows, purples, and pink mid-tones to link the effect to both the urn itself and the monster being sucked into it.

Finalizing the Displacement Vortex

For the final version of the Displacement Vortex, we decided to manually change the timing of the effect from scratch. This is a risky, challenging, and time-consuming process that should only be carried out by the most experienced real-time VFX artists, but we had specific ideas in mind as to how each element should be given room to breathe and be introduced to the viewer.

We extended the monster’s initial spotlight at the beginning of the scene so that viewers could become accustomed to it before the effect kicked in. Additionally, we added more visually compelling elements to the urn. The urn now ingests some of the environment like the tiles below it as it traps the monster and it leaves behind some residual purple effects after the displacement effect completes. We also added a mesh to the urn so that when it falls and breaks, its distinct pieces have rigid bodies so we could simulate physics. It’s a small detail but helps the scene pop more and better immerse the viewer.

We made some interesting modifications to the color of the piece for its final version. We wanted it to feel light, something akin to a wind tunnel, so we changed the lens flares and reserved sharper lens flares for vital parts of the displacement effect, such as the circular shape spin when the effect begins. We also gave the effect a more chromatic appearance by adjusting the red and green color values. We used Substance Painter so that the urn could be used as a low poly model in Unity, and also textured it using Substance Painter.

Magic Media is a veteran services provider for all things gaming, entertainment, and tech. Our embedded teams are ready to deliver dozens of services for your projects, including full-cycle game development, game trailers, cybersecurity, and much more. Get in contact with us today, and let’s create magic! 

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital media, where creativity and technology intertwine, it takes a special tech art team to bridge the gap and bring extraordinary visions to life. At Magic Media, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of this intersection, providing top-notch technical art solutions that elevate your projects to new heights. Specializing in Unreal Engine & Unity, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional in-engine tools and mind-blowing real-time visual effects (VFX) that will captivate your audience and set you apart from the competition.

Crafting Immersive Experiences with In-Engine Tools and Real-Time VFX

Efficiency and stunning visual effects are the pillars of immersive digital experiences. Understanding this, our team of highly skilled technical artists excels at developing custom in-engine tools that streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and boost overall efficiency. We work closely with your artists, ensuring a seamless integration of visually striking real-time VFX into your project. This perfect blend of creativity and technical execution creates an unforgettable experience for your audience. Magic Media offers clients the highest quality Real-Time VFX which will help their game reach its full potential. 

Pushing Boundaries through Research and Innovation

Staying ahead of the curve is crucial in the fast-paced world of technology. That’s why our technical artists are committed to constant research and development, exploring emerging technologies and harnessing their potential to enhance your project’s visual fidelity, performance, and overall user experience. By leveraging the latest tech art advancements, we ensure that your project remains innovative and stands out among the crowd.

Seamless Performance Optimization across Platforms

Delivering high-quality experiences across various platforms is a challenge we gladly embrace. Our technical artists meticulously benchmark your project’s performance and optimize it according to your target platform, be it PC, console, mobile, VR, AR, or multi-platform deployments. We guarantee smooth operation while maximizing visual quality and resource utilization, ensuring your tech art project shines on every device.

Empowering Tech Art Teams Through Documentation and Knowledge Sharing

Collaboration and shared knowledge are the bedrock of successful tech art ventures. Recognizing this, our technical artists diligently document their findings, processes, and best practices, creating a valuable resource for your team. This documentation ensures consistency, facilitates onboarding, and fosters seamless collaboration among team members. With this shared knowledge, your team is empowered to excel and achieve extraordinary results.

Leveraging Industry-Standard Tools for Tailored Solutions

Proficiency in industry-standard tools is a testament to our commitment to excellence. Our technical artists are well-versed in an array of cutting-edge software, including Unreal Engine, Unity, Maya, Substance Designer, Substance Painter, Houdini, ZBrush, Photoshop, Rizom UVs, Blender, Marmoset, Git, Perforce, Plastic SCM, Python, and more. Leveraging the power of these tools, we provide comprehensive and tailored solutions that align perfectly with your project’s specific requirements.

Your Vision, Our Commitment: Choose Magic Media’s Tech Art Services

When you choose Magic Media’s Tech Art Services, you’re not just hiring a team of technical artists – you’re partnering with a group of industry veterans with years of experience and an unwavering passion for pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology. We are committed to delivering outstanding results, ensuring the success of your project, and transforming your vision into a reality.

At Magic Media we are veterans of the gaming, tech and entertainment industries, offering comprehensive services including game development, VFX, animation and full art services! Our main goal is to provide a one-stop solution for any project. If you’d like to utilize our expertize and experience in creating, game art and more, drop us a line and let’s create magic!

When given the opportunity to deliver real-time VFX, assisting the Gunfire Games team in delivering their long-awaited sequel Remnant 2 after the success of Remnant: From the Ashes our team jumped at the opportunity. A souls-like set in a gruesome and dire post-apocalypse, players are instead pushed to rely on a flowing combat of firearms and melee weapons instead of the classic melee and magic often found in these games.  

Immersed in the art and real-time VFX of Remnant 2

The world and environments of Remnant 2 are horrific and unnatural. Players encountered horrifying amalgamations of eldritch abominations mixed with the life that had once inhabited it. The games also traversed through strange angelic realms full of corrupted beings and automatons, each suffering from the strange corruption and blight. The Root, an interdimensional evil, infests and corrupts our world and others. It is a staggeringly effective design, unique and eye-catching at every turn. Whether traversing weathered and polluted bogs, mired by the Root, or gleaming halls of majesty that are overrun by the same corruption, the art design of Remnant is iconic.

Due to the unique style, we were delighted to have such a constant contact with Gunfire’s Principal VFX Artist. He furnished our team at every avenue with the information, references, and even deep lore dives to ensure that our team had everything they needed to nail the real-time VFX that the game needed.

We also understood that the Gunfire Games team were reluctant, partially, in working with an outsourcing partner. Due to some previous negative experiences, they were wary of further outsourcing. We understood their concerns and drove ahead with a purpose. Our real-time VFX team are truly delighted to say that after only a week of collaboration, the Gunfire Games team stated their reassurance and confidence in choosing to work with the Magic Media team. As a leading Real-Time VFX service provider, we at Magic Media want to push the limits of what is possible creatively and technically while maintaining competitive costs.

Our Remnant 2 Real-Time VFX Work

The bulk of our real-time VFX work on Remnant 2 was weapon and weapon modifier VFX. This game allows players to customize and craft weaponry, as well as modify their weapons with elemental effects. With so many weapons on offer and a plethora of customization options, it was our job to ensure that the real-time VFX was completed on these weapon VFX and that they would work as intended on launch.

We also spent time working on “power-up” real-time VFX. This is a bit of an umbrella term for a wide range of items, pick-ups, props, and consumables that players could use. These typically created a character effect or area-of-effect real-time VFX around the player. Whether glowing, sparkling, pulsing, we delivered high-quality and lore immersed real-time VFX throughout both responsibilities.

Working on Remnant 2 was challenging but very rewarding. Built on a custom version of Unreal Engine 5, we had to take time getting to grips with its complexity and scope. We also needed to deliver within a tight deadline but this is normal for many of our outsourcing projects. Our real-time VFX team are no strangers to delivering high-quality work in short timeframes. Despite the size of the game and the deadline, it was a pleasure working with the team at Gunfire Games. They communicated daily, offered constant support and advisement, and we thoroughly enjoyed our frequent artistic discussions and lore dives into the world of Remnant 2.

The Future with Gunfire Games

This collaboration was an absolute pleasure for our real-time VFX team and we were thrilled to hear the same from the Gunfire Games team. We are very excited to work with them in the future in whatever services they may need.

We understood their hesitation given previous negative experiences. However, they had worked with our art production team at Ringtail Studios and had high hopes for our collaboration. We cannot overstate our joy when the Gunfire team expressed their surprise and happiness at the quality of our delivery as well as our approach to their work. We can’t state enough how much fun this project was given the Gunfire Games team’s communication and eagerness for collaboration. Working on a project like Remnant 2 was already exciting and it was made all the better thanks to their team.

At Magic Media we are veterans of the gaming, tech and entertainment industries, offering comprehensive services including game development, VFX, animation and full art services! Our main goal is to provide a one-stop solution for any project. If you’d like to utilize our expertize and experience in creating, game art and more, drop us a line and let’s create magic!

In the fast-paced world of video games, one of the key elements that captivate players and brings virtual worlds to life is the magic of real-time visual effects (VFX). Recently, Magic Media hosted an engaging video podcast that delved into the intricacies of this fascinating field. Joined by esteemed VFX specialists Marc Segura and Jason Keyser, the episode dissected some of our pieces of work, showcasing technical expertise, and explored the psychology behind the importance of real-time VFX in gaming. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of this intriguing discussion.

The Podcast Guests

Renowned VFX artist Marc Segura, known for his exceptional contributions to the gaming industry, joined forces with Jason Keyser, founder of VFX Apprentice, in a captivating video podcast hosted by Pádraig Walsh. Together, they explored the technical side of real-time VFX, dissecting works and showcasing their expertise. Marc Segura’s established reputation in the gaming industry and Jason Keyser’s expertize and dedication to empowering aspiring VFX artists added a dynamic and insightful dimension to the discussion.

Exploring Real-Time VFX

The episode featured a captivating breakdown of various works, showcasing the technical expertise required to achieve stunning visual effects. Beyond the technical aspects, Segura and Keyser delved deep into the psychology behind the importance of real-time VFX in gaming, unraveling the secrets behind players’ fascination with these captivating visual elements. Tune into the rare glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship and technical prowess involved in creating remarkable real-time VFX, revealing the “secret sauce” that brings virtual worlds to life.

 

At Magic Media we are veterans of the film, tv, gaming and entertainment industries, offering comprehensive VFX services for in-game, cinematics, and more, as well as animation and full art services! Our main goal is to provide a one-stop solution for any project. We love nothing more than collaborating with creative minds, so drop us a line and let’s create magic!

Real-time VFX in games is critical to enhancing a game’s overall visual appearance and helping it carve a distinct visual identity. Beyond the polished and professional feeling that it helps to offer, it’s essential to communicating valuable information to players.

Using high-quality real-time VFX in games is helpful for players to understand actions and the world around them. It acts as visual feedback that informs players what is happening during gameplay. Real-time VFX in games is arguably the most significant contributor to players inherently understanding the game world and actions outside of being explicitly told. As a leading Real-Time VFX service provider, we at Magic Media want to push the limits of what is possible creatively and technically while maintaining competitive costs.

Real-Time VFX as Instant Visual Feedback

Real-time VFX is essential to helping players understand their actions in-game. Though this might sound obvious, the player’s actions might not be so clear. Take, for instance, a fantasy RPG where players can shoot fireballs. Players might know the input required to produce the spell in-game, but without showing the fire effects, residual effects, and how it impacts an enemy or object, it would be difficult to understand its impact, damage, the length of the effect, and its decay over time.

Similarly, real-time VFX is used to help players understand the characters they’re playing. If the player’s character takes damage, this can be represented on screen with effects like camera shaking and visual distortion in the form of blurring or red coloring to represent blood or the player’s health bar. Distorting the player’s point of view like this helps communicate with them in no uncertain terms that they’ve been adversely affected and creates a sense of urgency around the actions inflicted on them.

Real-Time VFX Communicates Environmental Information

Beyond the confines of character interactions, real-time VFX communicates information about the game world, its possible interactions, and what players can expect from certain locations. A common application of this would be the use of smoke effects in open-world games, which can indicate friendly or enemy camps, burning structures, or weaponized smokescreen weapons. Splashes in bodies of water can indicate there is some form of activity going on, possibly dangerous or simply something that the player can interact with.

A fantastic example of this is in the PlayStation-exclusive title Ghost of Tsushima. After placing a map marker in this open-world game, instead of traditional direction markers appearing on the heads-up display, the wind will travel in the direction of your objective. It’ll interact with flowers, trees, and leaves to highlight which direction the wind is blowing, so the player at all times knows what direction to go in. This is not only a clever use, but it also removes the need for traditional HUD elements which can be considered obtrusive and immersion-breaking by some players.

Enhancing Immersion with Real-Time VFX

Real-time VFX works tremendously to enhance the overall player experience by enforcing specific moods and tones. Through this effect, game developers and artists can instill fear, build anticipation, and inspire a sense of wonder in players. The fog of the Silent Hill games is an iconic example of immersing players in a frightening, unknowable environment. Another prominent example is in Dead Space, a sci-fi horror game that uses flickering lights and darkness to shroud environments and thrust players into the unknown, with glimpses offered of the surrounding horror through unreliable light sources.

Conjuring atmosphere through real-time VFX can be as layered as the game developer wants. BioShock Infinite, set in a fictional floating city, initially presents players with bright colors, fireworks, and sunny skies. This juxtaposes the themes of the dark narrative at play along with the dimly-lit, horror-influenced locations the player encounters later in the game.

At Magic Media we are veterans of the gaming, tech and entertainment industries, offering comprehensive services including game development, VFX, animation and full art services! Our main goal is to provide a one-stop solution for any project. If you’d like to utilize our expertize and experience in creating, game art and more, drop us a line and let’s create magic!

When the Magic Media team isn’t working on cutting-edge real-time VFX for games or providing dozens of other services to our valued clients, we’re working hard to hone our skills to keep them sharp and stay ahead of the technological and artistic curve. This is where projects like the Medieval Flair real-time VFX project come into play.

Medieval Flair was designed and created by the Magic Media team as an internal project, the objective of which was to create high-quality real-time VFX that’s suitable for a fantasy game setting and used as a magical spell.

Real-Time VFX Form and Function

In this clip, we see a winged angel character producing this magical effect, also known as Holiness Revival. The real-time VFX we see produces golden colors and has a wide area of effect, and the functional idea of it is that it grants defensive bonuses to allies and revives the fallen on the battlefield.

The real-time VFX produces a golden color to give the impression of a divine effect occurring, in this case, the resurrection of previously downed allied characters. Its wide area of effect ensures that the effect if used tactically can revive a large number of allies every time it’s used. Though it might be difficult to see, this real-time VFX piece contains 20% white coloring to add to its heavenly aura and 10% green and blue coloring to make it seem more magical.

Magic Media offers clients the highest quality Real-Time VFX which will help their game reach its full potential. As a leading Real-Time VFX service provider, we at Magic Media want to push the limits of what is possible creatively and technically while maintaining competitive costs.

Process of Creating Real-Time VFX

Our team adhered to a detailed workflow to complete this real-time VFX video. After gathering some initial references to help us understand better what we were aiming for, we settled on the Holiness Revival concept and proceeded to work on the storyboard. The storyboarding process can be a tricky balance between keeping your expectations realistic and ensuring it’s an interesting visual effect for viewers, and this was no different. We had to define every camera angle, character movement, animation, and the real-time VFX that follows it.

Every frame of the real-time VFX piece needed to have meaning and communicate what follows. This character begins by raising her hand and charging power, allowing the viewer to anticipate the action that comes after. The camera closes in on her eyes to display glowing, godly power before the revival effect bursts out from her using the power she previously charged. Every movement helps anticipate what happens next, helping the viewer to intrinsically understand the real-time VFX on display.

A challenge of bringing this real-time VFX piece to life was deciding on what shaders to use. Shaders are programs that operate on a machine’s GPU to enhance visual quality, and there are many shader options available for VFX purposes such as this. After much testing, we managed to find one generic shader that could accomplish everything we needed. The original angel character seen in the video clip didn’t have wings, so one final challenge was to create thematically fitting wings and then shoot the final sequence, complete with the VFX, in Unreal Engine 5’s Sequencer feature.

At Magic Media we are veterans of the gaming, tech and entertainment industries, offering comprehensive services including game development, VFX, animation and full art services! Our main goal is to provide a one-stop solution for any project. If you’d like to utilize our expertize and experience in creating, game art and more, drop us a line and let’s create magic!

At the heart of every unforgettable experience are the game visual effects or VFX, that breathe life into our virtual worlds. These aren’t merely flashy lights or striking explosions but are artful expressions of the game’s narrative and emotion, an integral part of immersive storytelling.

The Intricacies of Video Game Visual Effects

Game visual effects extend far beyond graphics and textures. VFX techniques are used to create real-time effects that enhance gameplay, drive the narrative, and provide crucial feedback to players. These can range from simple sparks upon impact, to complex weather systems or a character’s powerful abilities.

The Art and Science of Real-Time VFX

Creating compelling game visual effects or VFX involves an intricate interplay of art and science. Game artists, like that seen at VFX Apprentice, craft each visual component while programmers and technical artists bring these creations to life using physics and algorithms. This requires extensive understanding of both aesthetic design and computer science, forming a union that culminates in the dynamic, responsive VFX we see in our favorite video games.

Concept and Planning: The process starts with the conceptualization of an effect. Game designers, artists, and writers collaborate to envision an effect that aligns with the game’s narrative and enhances the player’s experience.

Creation and Animation: The visual assets are created using a range of digital tools, and then animated to match the envisioned effect.

Integration and Programming: The assets are integrated into the game engine, where programmers and technical artists apply physics and algorithms to render the effect in real-time.

Testing and Refinement: The effect is tested extensively and refined based on feedback, ensuring it operates smoothly and contributes positively to the game’s overall aesthetic.

The Future of VFX in Video Games

With advancements in technology and increased computational power, the capabilities for real-time VFX in video games are expanding. Advancements in AI, machine learning, and VR/AR technologies promise an exciting future for the industry. The next frontier includes even more lifelike simulations, interactive VFX, and a higher degree of player immersion.

The Unseen Power of VFX in Video Games

VFX is a fundamental component of modern video games. Through the careful melding of artistic vision and technological mastery, VFX artists breathe life into virtual worlds, creating immersive, engaging experiences for players around the globe. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the art of game visual effects, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in these virtual realities.

At Magic Media we are veterans of the gaming, tech and entertainment industries, offering comprehensive services including game development, VFX, animation and full art services! Our main goal is to provide a one-stop solution for any project. If you’d like to utilize our expertize and experience in creating, game art and more, drop us a line and let’s create magic!