Game environment design

Environment design for games

The success of a game development product depends on more than just an original idea, mechanics, and plot. One of the key factors in attracting users is the design of the game's environment, where the events take place. It is this virtual universe that creates the atmosphere, immerses the player, enhances the narrative, and ensures the visual integrity of the project, all while appealing to emotions.

In the highly competitive game development market, high-quality environment game design is a critical factor in a release's success. Titles with well-developed worlds capture audiences' attention from the very first moment.

What is environment design for games?

Environment design is a branch of game design focused on creating the visual and functional environments of a game. These environments are locations and scenes that immerse users in the story and support the game's plot and mechanics.

What does the game environment design service include?

Game environment design as a service includes the development of several aspects:

1. Concept and idea of the environment:

• Developing artistic concepts for game worlds, locations, and levels (you can read more about level design here).
• Creating a style, reflecting the era, architectural and natural features of the environment.
• Visual reinforcement of the plot, display of mood and atmosphere in accordance with the concept (moodboards, references, conceptual graphics).

2. Creating 2D and 3D assets

• 2D and 3D modeling of environmental objects: concept art of landscapes, scenery, buildings, interiors, etc.
• Texturing, material setup.
• Creating tiles (geometric elements), decals (flat images or textures) and level details.

3. Level Art / Scene Collection (Game World Design)

• Placing game world elements on levels in an engine (Unreal, Unity, etc.).
• Setting up lighting, weather conditions, etc.
• Optimization of scenes for the performance of target devices.

4. Technical integration

• Ensuring compatibility with mechanics (cross-country ability, collision).
• Integration into game engines.
• Setting up triggers and interactive objects.

5. Visual and emotional expressiveness

• Supporting the narrative through visual imagery.
• Creating "enthusiasm zones" and gameplay benchmarks.
• Working out the scale, composition, palette, lighting.

The Role of Quality Game Design and Concept Art

A well-designed environment, as well as high-quality environmental and graphical design, make a product recognizable, atmospheric, and user-friendly/intuitive. These aspects influence the first impression, the focus of attention, and the depth of immersion into your fictional universe.

What functions does the game world perform:

• Immersion in history and atmosphere. Scraps of newspaper with clues, graffiti on the walls, statues, and other elements of the game's setting build intrigue and make you want to continue along the game's path.
• Narrative. Environmental design helps develop and support the plot by providing necessary context, backstory, hints, and instructions to the player.
• Gameplay support, game map creation. Locations and the laws of the universe not only set the circumstances for actions and tasks but also directly influence the type and dynamics of the title's progression.
• Aesthetics. A visually appealing world enhances gameplay enjoyment, user experience, player retention, and, ultimately, the release's chances of commercial success.

The environment reflects the plot and genre, captivating with interesting locations and details. 2D and 3D character designs help evoke an emotional connection, but professionally executed environment design truly delivers complete immersion.

Game Environment Design Services

Arionis Games experts perform both comprehensive game environment design from scratch and individual project-based work. The former encompasses a full range of work, including the creation of concept art for landscapes, scenery, buildings, locations, and objects, environmental game design, layout, and their integration into the product.

Our specialists can also assist with any aspect of virtual universe implementation, whether you need to create a map for a 2D game, implement a concept, separately model props/objects, or integrate an existing environment into a game development product.

We offer environment design from scratch, on a project-based basis, as well as outsourcing, outstaffing, and dedicated IT team services.

What works can be ordered from Arionis Games:

1. Full-cycle development – from concept creation to integration into a game development product.
2. Preparing concept art for props and objects (furniture, weapons, tools, plants, etc.) that add atmosphere, interesting details, and interactivity to the title, diversifying the user's interaction with the game world.
3. Development of locations and scenes – landscapes, forests, wastelands, post-apocalyptic worlds, futuristic landscapes, etc.

Arionis Games' specialists specialize in creating game worlds for both 2D and 3D games (2D and 3D Game Environment Design). Each of these disciplines has its own unique characteristics. In 2D game environment design, the focus is on color schemes, detail, and the atmosphere of levels. When developing 3D environment art game design, modeling objects, architecture, and landscapes for 3D titles, specialists also consider lighting, volume, texture, and detail.

The company creates vibrant, memorable locations that will highlight the uniqueness of your game development product in a variety of styles: casual, cartoon, realistic, and stylized (fantasy, retro, futuristic, etc.).

What game worlds and environments can Arionis Games' environment designers create?

• Open – with freedom of movement of players in space and completion of tasks in any order (like Assassin's Creed or Fallout).
• Semi-open – divided into zones or levels with transitions between them. Within these zones, players have the same level of freedom of action as in open worlds.
• World maps are for global strategies in which you need to manage states and civilizations.
• Static images are used in quests, platformers, and arcade games. They typically consist of a single large image containing objects that players interact with.
• Stage worlds (session or arena) are created for specific matches, battles, and tasks, for example, in fighting games.
• Story-driven (linear) games – with limited freedom of action for projects with a linear plot. In these games, the player must complete a predetermined sequence of locations and missions (either a single route or a varied route, depending on the concept).

There are also so-called hub universes, with a central area from which players navigate to individual locations and levels. There are also procedurally generated worlds, which are randomly generated each time a game or level is launched, providing a unique experience. Another option is connected universes with multiple closed zones that become accessible as the player unlocks new skills.

Stages of creating a game environment

Environment design is one of the most important aspects of development, creating the conceptual and visual space of a game development product. The quality of its implementation determines the logic, atmosphere, style, and interaction options within the environments. All of this directly impacts engagement, immersion, and gamer experience.

• Project specifics analysis, task setting. First and foremost, it's important to define the product genre, target audience needs, and the platforms for which the title is being developed. Also, before starting to create the game's environment, analyze the script, mechanics, and functions the world will serve: background/atmospheric elements, navigation, integration with the gameplay, and so on.
• Concept and idea development. Next, the overall game environment concept design is developed. Designers and artists gather references, based on which they create initial sketches and drafts, and coordinate them with the client.
• Level design. Level design is the next stage in creating the game world map and developing the game as a whole. During the level design stage, the Arionis Games team determines the number, layout, and complexity of locations and plans gameplay routes.
• Concept Art Development. Once the game level designs are complete, specialists move on to visualizing the key ideas and atmosphere of the future world. Environment concept art includes a more detailed elaboration of key areas and objects, taking into account game mechanics and scale—architecture, landscapes, props, etc.

• Modeling. During the 2D or 3D environment modeling stage, designers transform concept art into tangible game assets, including texturing, UV mapping, map baking, and finalizing the world design. It's crucial to maintain a balance between detail and performance.
• Lighting and composition. Lighting, color, chiaroscuro, and the placement of visual accents are all important to tailor to the specific gameplay. High-quality game environment design helps highlight the map and navigation features, create the desired emotional atmosphere, and make the world intuitive and engaging for players.
• Integration. To successfully integrate the world into the engine, Arionis Games specialists import assets, configure materials, and develop scripted events—ensuring that the world, as well as the game as a whole, displays as intended on target platforms and devices.
• Optimization. To achieve high game performance and reduce the load on devices and servers, developers use LOD models with varying levels of detail and light baking. Specialists also adapt game world parameters to the technical capabilities and requirements of target platforms.
• Testing and refinement. At this stage, testers check the product's balance, logic, and stability, fix bugs, and refine it to ensure an engaging and user-friendly experience. After analyzing feedback and conducting a series of tests, Arionis Games specialists put the finishing touches on the technical and visual design of the game's environment.

Technologies used to create gaming environments

To develop environment design for games, Arionis Games specialists utilize a broad technology stack, encompassing 3D modeling, lighting, texturing, and level design:

• Engines – Unreal Engine, Unity.
• 3D modeling tools – Blender, Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max, ZBrush.
• Texturing and materials – Substance 3D Painter/Designer, Quixel Mixer/Megascans, Photoshop.
• Lighting and visual effects – Lumen (Unreal Engine 5), Post-processing stack (Unity/Unreal).
• Asset and optimization systems – SpeedTree, Houdini, LOD managers.
• Planning and reporting – PureRef, Miro/Figma.
• Interaction systems – NavMesh, Physics Engines (e.g. PhysX, Havok).

Where to order game environment design

If you're looking for a team of developers capable of bringing your vision to life in a captivating, vibrant virtual world, Arionis Games is a reliable partner for your project. We've been designing game environments for many years, both as part of full-cycle game development and as a standalone service. We create game worlds for titles across a variety of genres, from simple arcade games to MMRPGs and VR projects.

Benefits of contacting Arionis Games:

• Industry experience. Our game designers, 3D modelers, and developers have delivered dozens of successful projects thanks to their specialized expertise, understanding of industry trends, and the specific needs of different audiences.
• Full-cycle development. We'll design your game environment from scratch – from concept and level design to final engine optimization.
• Cutting-edge technologies and tools. We work with professional software and tools that allow you to create a recognizable and distinctive game environment. Our specialists' experience and strong technology stack ensure high-quality results.