Methodology of artbook development of a computer game

The article studies the development of art books for computer games, emphasizing their marketing, economic, and artistic importance. Art books, as essential marketing tools, not only help promote games but also attract talent and sponsors, especially within the indie game community. They serve as collectibles, adding extra revenue for developers.

Highlighting a gap in the systematic methodology for art book creation, the research aims to establish a structured approach to enhance efficiency and add value to the main product, the computer game. It underlines the lack of awareness among developers regarding art book creation technology, which leads to unnecessary mistakes and inefficiencies. The paper provides a detailed analysis of the art book’s composition, including sketches, concept arts, illustrations, screenshots, and textual content. It stresses the importance of matching the game’s style, ensuring usability, and maintaining uniqueness to captivate the audience.

Key criteria for developing a quality art book are discussed, focusing on content quality, stylistic congruence with the game, user-friendliness, and marketing potential. The methodology proposed aims to streamline the creation process, from gathering illustrative materials and content information to the actual development of the art book.

By formalizing the development process, the research presents a technological scheme that facilitates a more organized approach to an art book creation. This structured methodology not only aids in effective communication among project participants but also ensures a comprehensive consideration of all elements involved in the development.

The validation of this methodology is exemplified through the conceptual project of the computer game “The Gallery” and its art book, demonstrating the efficiency of the proposed approach. The article concludes by highlighting the benefits of a systematic and organized method in art book development, offering a practical tool for game developers to enhance their marketing strategy and showcase their creative potential.

Keywords: art book of a computer game, areas of an art book application, key criteria, stages of creation, development method, technological scheme, book publication.

doi: 10.32403/0554-4866-2023-2-86-125-134