Any advice on how for a comic artist to get into game making?

eslameldeeb 2019-12-20 23:07:08 UTC #1

Game art specifically, are there any must-have skills?
Also, do you recommend a certain place where i should look for a job as a game artist?

Thanks in advance

nixxusnibelheim 2019-12-20 23:22:38 UTC #2

Game art as in pure 2D or 3D?
I'd say 3D modelling is always a good skill to pick up especially now that we are full in the digital age. From a 2D perspective, knowing 3D does help to visualize volume better.
But also, if you are looking to get a job as a game artist, you'll get more opportunity with 3D skills.

I used to go a lot on Polycount for tutorial and stuff, they also have a job section.

eslameldeeb 2019-12-20 23:36:32 UTC #3

2D is what i mean, but reading your comment, i agree that 3D modelling is a very good skill, thanks for the comment

nixxusnibelheim 2019-12-20 23:55:21 UTC #4

Oh 2D. Then I think animation can be a good start if you are into this, like basic walk/run cycle for 2D sidescroller, jump, attacks and all that good stuff. Background arts is also great.
If you can do all of this, you can basically do a simple sidescroller by yourself, if you can code a bit or find someone
You can also look into 2D isometric arts (environments, props and characters).

I feel like with 2D, you have 2 main options, sidescroller or isometric games so look for those games to get inspiration and to see where you can start and feel a void.
Overall, if you can draw anything in 2D, you are basically able to work on any 2D games or even 3D (if we're talking about character design, worldbuilding, concept arts etc), it's just a matter of specializing in specific department afterward.

sakebento 2019-12-21 04:57:23 UTC #5

Aim for specificity. I wouldn't necessarily hire the same artist to draw character sprites and item icons, for example. Environment artists are often entirely different from people who draw the user interface. Depending on the type of game, some folks might also be looking for animations.

For getting hired, there are probably job boards out there, but I know a lot of gamedev folks check the hashtags on twitter a lot. Try things like #PortfolioDay (when it's portfolio day) and #gamedev to show off what you're capable of.