There are countless articles which have been devoted to various aspects of online gaming. To the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) to the benefits of 5G wireless connectivity, the majority of common topics have been covered in detail. One issue that is not often discussed involves the role that colours play.
How are colours able to enhance the end-user experience? Are certain palettes more attractive than others? How might tones even have a psychological impact on the players themselves? Let’s delve into these interesting topics, as the associated answers might come as a bit of a surprise.
The Practical Side of Things
One of the ways in which colours are leveraged by game developers is decidedly practical in nature. Brighter tones are often used to prioritise certain details, and to draw attention to specific on-screen elements. For instance, an individual playing a top down shooter may notice a red glow around the edge of the screen if his or her health drops below a certain point. In other words, contrasting tones can be employed to highlight the significance of pertinent information.
A Touch of Relaxation
Not all colours are meant to evoke some type of sudden response. Others can instead be used to create a calming effect. This is commonly seen in games intended to offer a tranquil overall experience. Sudoku and nonograms are two relevant examples here. As opposed to bright hues, muted tones will offer a visually relaxing edge. When combined with soothing music, there is little doubt that players will be provided with a means to take a much-needed break from the hectic outside world. Note that there can also be times when players are provided with the ability to adjust the colour palette of a game; offering a greater sense of personalisation.
As a Means to Reflect Specific Cultures or Time Periods
Some readers might be surprised to learn that colours can also be employed as subtle cultural references, and an example will help to cement this point. Gates of Olympus is an extremely popular slots game produced by Pragmatic Play. This game offers a host of built-in features such as:
- Five reels of action
- An auto-spin option
- Players can choose to double their wager
- Hefty multipliers
- Many paylines
However, the visual appeal of the slots interface is just as important to mention. This game boasts bright pastel tones that are slightly reminiscent of ancient Egypt. The end result is a visually stimulating experience that serves to reinforce the gameplay itself.
Colours and Mobile Devices
There are many observations that can be made when discussing the future of online gaming. One trend that has already taken hold involves mobile gaming. A growing number of consumers are now accessing popular online portals with the help of portable devices such as smartphones and tablets. So, it only stands to reason that cutting-edge titles need to offer a mobile-responsive edge. There is still another concern to mention.
Interacting with games on a smaller screen can be difficult; especially when numerous elements happen to be present. Visual acuity is therefore an important metric that developers must tackle. The use of bold and contrasting colours will make it much easier for players to pick up on the finer points; a nice touch in terms of functionality and overall aesthetics.
Intentional as Opposed to Random
The use of colours in online games is hardly happenstance in nature. Not only does this concept involve psychology, but it is just as concerned with basic physiology. There can be times when random tones may lead to vision-related issues; eye fatigue being one of the most common. Some users may even experience headaches, and this is a sure-fire way to detract from the appeal of the game in question. Employing complimentary tones helps to avoid these concerns, and results in a more pleasant overall experience.
A Retro Experience
One of the latest trends associated with online gaming involves retro-themed games that are based on popular titles from the 1980s and 1990s. In these cases, brighter colours tend to be employed, as this was the very same approach that served to define the so-called “golden era” of gaming. Titles such as Space Invaders, Galaxia, and Super Mario Bros. clearly reinforce this point.
We can see that there is much more than “meets the eye” when discussing the role that colours play in the world of online game development. The good news is that players will not have to appreciate intricate concepts such as colour theory to enjoy all that these amazing platforms have in store. Either way, a kaleidoscope of options is now available!
