The Art of Game Characters [Paperback]

Leo Hartas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2005

Computer and video games are the entertainment media of the 21st century, and game characters like Lara Croft and Mario are now as famous as Mickey Mouse and Homer Simpson. This definitive guide examines the appeal of these iconic characters from the early days of gaming to the present.

A follow-up to the successful Art of Game Worlds, this book examines the remarkable work that goes into the creation of captivating, realistic game characters. Each subsection takes an in-depth look at a specific type of character and uses examples to discuss how that type is used effectively in games. All games enthusiasts, from amateur to expert, will benefit from this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated volume.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leo Hartas is a well-known and highly regarded illustrator, skilled in both traditional and computer-generated techniques. He is the co-author of The Art of Game Worlds and the author of numerous bestselling children's books. Hartas also creates digital imagery for computer games, video animation, and TV programs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harper Design (June 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060724315
• ISBN-13: 978-0060724313
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,818,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dave Morris is a bestselling author - in fact, he was 1990's top-selling author in the UK.

In addition to having written a string of adventure novels and role-playing gamebooks for older kids and young adults, he is also an award-winning videogame designer with two Top Ten hits to his name.

As a mentor in the American Film Institute digital content lab, he has worked with partners like NBC and Microsoft to create new forms of entertainment that fuse the best of traditional storytelling and interactivity. As a scriptwriter he has worked for the BBC, Endemol, Carlton, Pearson and Flextech.

All of these skills of drama, visual storytelling, interactive design and new media come together in his epic 900-page graphic novel saga Mirabilis, part-funded by Random House, which was launched in both digital and print media in early 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Guided Tour Through Video Game History, August 16, 2006

By 

GameMaker (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Game Characters (Paperback)

This is a really interesting book. It gives you a guided tour through video game history by looking at and discussing the art of many historic games. The book has lots and lots of color pictures from popular video games, and offers running commentary on their importantance. Also there are several brief interviews with artists that worked on some of these projects. They share some of their philosophies of character development. There is also some brief discussion about character development workflow.

This book isn't so much instructional as it is inspirational. I don't think you can read (or skim) through this book without getting some new, fresh, ideas of characters for your own game.

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good Book, September 16, 2011

By 

John Bacak - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Game Characters (Paperback)

It has a lot of good pictures of characters, but it never goes into the depth i wanted for the characters themselves, or on the Art of MAKING Game characters. But its still a good reference.

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT FOR ARTISTS OR THOSE INTERESTED IN GAME DESIGN, August 26, 2008

By 

S. Colazo ""GAME COLUSSUS"" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Game Characters (Paperback)

I believe this book is great. It provides a good insight into how characters are made with personility and background. The chapters are fun, diving into the different types of characterd (hulking men, femme fatales, dark villians, ect.) and each chapter usually includes an interview from designers working in the industry. Although some might complain that the book lacks real technical information (it does), there are some great pointers and "concept sketches-to-life" pics. It's hard not to be inspired, the book gives you great ideas. Overall, the book is very good and i would highly recommend it.