Color Theory in Video Games

Select all that apply: Which of the following are the main purposes of using color theory in game design?

• To create a visually appealing game

• To enhance player emotions and storytelling

• To guide player focus

The video discusses that in many eastern cultures, red symbolizes happiness and prosperity, but in many western cultures, red symbolizes passion and/or danger. This is just one example of how a color may have different meanings to people from different cultural backgrounds.
Do you think it is important to consider how multiple different cultures think about color if you are making a video game that you plan to sell all over the world? Why or why not?

Which of the following options BEST explains why a game designer might make two enemy teams be colored blue and red?

• They are both primary colors and are close to being complementary colors, so they are very easy to tell apart.

• They are both secondary colors that are analogous, so they help make the color scheme feel natural and cohesive.

• No self-respecting game designer would make team colors red and blue.

• They are copying from real-life sports, where every match is played between a red team and blue team just because of tradition.

Match each group of colors to the type of Color Scheme that best describes it.

Groups:

(a) Complementary

,

(b) Analagous

,

(c) Monochromatic

• Red and Green

• Light Blue and Dark Blue

• Yellow and Purple

• Several shades of Red

• White, Grey, and Black

• Green, Blue, and Purple

• Blue and Orange

• Red and Orange

• Yellow and Green

If you were designing a game for an American audience and you wanted to show that your character is gloomy and mysterious, which of the following colors should you make the character's clothing?

• Purple

• Red

• Sky blue

• Pastel pink

What is one main reason color contrast is important in games?

• It helps the user tell apart different game elements.

• It makes games easier to develop.

• It ensures that only bright colors are used.

• Portal is such an old game that all gamers expect pairs of game items to be blue and orange.

Choose a color or pair of colors and describe how those colors might affect the mood of a game. Provide a specific example (either from an existing game or one you made up) that describes HOW the mood is affected by your selected color(s).

Based on what we've learned about the MDA framework previously and what the video covered about color theory, in your opinion, which aspect of video games does color theory affect MOST?

• Mechanics

• Dynamics

• Aesthetics