A Beginner's Guide to Selecting Colors for Game Visual Effects

Game effects are often characterized by their vibrant colors and mesmerizing appearances. However, finding the perfect color combination can be challenging. To help, we've broken down the game FX design pipeline into four key tips for adding extra pop and cohesion to your effects. One approach is to start with a grayscale palette, focusing on value, hue, and saturation. Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color and is a crucial principle in VFX. By working in grayscale, you can create focal points and establish contrast between design elements before introducing color. This approach also helps ensure accessibility for colorblind players, as strong value contrast is universally clear. To choose values, consider the energy and dynamics of the effect. For example, the core of an explosion should be bright, while the surrounding smoke should be darker. Attributes like volume and lighting can also enhance the effect. It's essential to remember that game effects are dynamic, so attributes should change over time. Breaking down an effect into phases can help define these changes. When introducing color, decide on a main color and supporting colors. Main colors should be bright and saturated, while supporting colors should be more subdued. Hue relationships are also critical, as they impact readability and visual noise. Complementary, analogous, monochromatic, and triadic relationships can create visually pleasing effects. Saturation and value work together to draw the viewer's attention. When choosing a color palette, consider the meaning and identity of the colors, as well as the relationships between them. A small amount of variation can add visual interest, but excessive variation can be overwhelming. Color can evoke emotions and tell a story, so it's essential to choose a palette that enhances the overall effect. While there are existing color combinations and palettes, don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. As an FX artist, continuous learning and exploration are key to creating innovative and engaging effects.