From its humble beginnings, video games and animation came hand in hand. Whether it be the arcade staple Pac-Man or the famed Pong, even the most primitive had some sort of animation involved. It creates immersion—interactivity, movement and detail wouldn’t be possible without motion and dynamics.
Naturally, considering the age and longevity of video games, their advancements have come a long way. It’s a piece of media that has garnered a vast range of different mechanics, engines—and animation methods, where each bears unique traits.
So, here are a few notable techniques used in video game animation:
1. Stop-Motion: The Dark Eye
Initial release date: 1995
Genre: Adventure, Point-and-Click, Psychological Horror
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS
Developer: Inscape
Stop-motion is a popular animation technique for television and film, but it’s much less common in video games—but the handful that have been created are nothing less than show-stopping. This method is executed by taking pictures of an object as you physically manipulate it. It’s a highly accessible way to animate—as long as you get creative, you can turn pretty much anything into a stop-motion piece. The Dark Eye, while consisting of other forms of animation, is predominantly claymated.
The Dark Eye allows you to experience three Edgar Allen Poe stories in first person. It’s a point-and-click psychological horror, with unconventional character designs made to unsettle the average player. Players surrender autonomy—there are no choices to make, no multiple endings and no ways to lose. Navigate through the game simply by clicking on relevant spots in a room—tap on the right spot and unlock cutscenes that either serve as progression points or bonus content. Evidently, mechanics aren’t The Dark Eye’s selling point, but its storytelling, art direction and overall experience are what make the game worthwhile.
2. Sprite Animation: Hyperlight Drifter
Initial release date: March 31, 2016
Genre: Adventure, Platform, Action RPG, Fighting, Shooter
Platforms: Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS, Mac operating systems
Developers: Heart Machine, Abylight Studios, Abylight Studios S.A.
Sprite animation is a technique where 2D bitmaps are spliced together to make a larger scene. Although this kind of animation is not limited to pixel art, it’s the most common form of sprite. It’s an old technique that hasn’t faltered in popularity since its conception. It emulates the charm of retro video games and it’s great for teams who operate under tight budgets—and Hyperlight Drifter is a 32-bit game that utilises this very technique.
Hyperlight Drifter is an action RPG where players assume control of The Drifter, an elusive character riddled with illness and equipped with a phase blade. Desperate to cure their debilitating disease, our Drifter must traverse a land chock-full of enemies, traps and ancient technology that only we have access to. It’s accurately described as a game that’s easy to pick up and hard to master—in a world that is expansive, you’re bound to get a little lost. Hyperlight Drifter is a visually stunning game that has plenty for you to explore.
3. Procedural Generated Animation: Rain World
Initial release date: March 28, 2017
Genre: Indie, Action-adventure, Side-scroller, Stealth, Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Videocult
This type of animation is achieved digitally and is typically used to generate movements in real time. It diverges from other forms of animation as it uses code to animate instead of keyframes—there is little to no pre-generated data involved in this process. Essentially, it’s a blend between visual art and mathematics. There are multiple approaches to procedural animation, with some blending multiple techniques; when movements are influenced by code, while limited to the constraints of ragdoll physics, motion is executed logically. This specific circumstance is found in the game Rain World.
Procedurally animated, Rain World is a survival platformer set in a ruinous ecosystem. With little to no guidance, you play as Slugcat—a creature that aims to survive and unite with its family. Hunt for food, evade predators and seek shelter from the floods that submerge the world. It’s an unforgiving game where the world inside it does not wait for you. The ecosystem is dynamic and constant. Creatures would hunt and navigate Rain World independently—you may die many times as you explore and try to uncover the game’s secrets, but it’s more than worth it.
4. Traditional Animation: Cuphead
Initial release date: September 29, 2017
Genre: Indie, Platformer, Shoot 'em up, Beat 'em up, Run and gun
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
Developer: Studio MDHR
Traditional animation is a technique where each frame is drawn by hand. It was the most dominant form of animation until computers came into the picture. In its golden age, drawings would be transferred onto cels—now, they would be scanned and processed. A video game that does just this is Cuphead.
Infamously hard to beat and famously beautiful, Cuphead is a run-and-gun game that follows two indebted, cup-shaped brothers who make a deal with the devil. They have been tasked to collect soul contracts in exchange for their livelihood. This 1930s-inspired game takes you through numerous levels and boss fights, where you may buy abilities and powers through an in-game shop. This side-scroller with seamless and nostalgic animation is an enticingly difficult masterpiece.
5. Motion Capture: Baldurs Gate 3
Initial release date: August 3, 2023
Genre: RPG, Adventure, Strategy
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, macOS, Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Larian Studios
Often considered as rotoscope animation’s successor, motion capture (mocap) is done by recording movements of animate objects—but more appropriately, human actors are captured to accurately animate in-game characters. Subtle expressions, realistic movements and physical interactions can quickly be recreated. Mocap is a technique that was heavily involved in the making of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Set in the universe of Dungeons & Dragons, this game allows players to create a party, take on quests and defeat NPCs. The protagonist you play as awakes on a mind flayer's ship, which meets its end on the shores of Faerûn. Alongside fully voiced characters, almost every encounter with the main cast is the product of motion capture. Paired with admirable animation, Baldur’s Gate is a story-rich RPG that is bound to keep you occupied.
Conclusion
Animation in itself is a vast and diverse avenue—so when it meets another expressive form of art, it’s only natural for the results to be innovative. Video games have produced brand-new techniques that would not have been made otherwise.
Author Bio
From Malaysia, Leia Emeera is a writer at TESSR and a published author. She has been putting pen to paper ever since she learned how to, and has an anthology to her name, titled 'Ten'. Leia loves music, games and her beloved labrador retriever, George. She aims to further her studies in English Literature and Creative Writing the moment her gap year ends. 'Till then, you will find her sitting behind a desk, writing with TESSR.
Connect with her on LinkedIn: Leia Emeera
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