The article discusses Guild Wars 2's distinctive artistic approach, highlighting the insights of Adam Hogseth, the lead character artist at ArenaNet. The game's aesthetics are shaped by a commitment to a hand-painted style, creating the illusion of handcrafted materials that enhance the game's immersive world. This decision, while limiting in some respects, has fostered inspiration within the team's creative process. The blending of traditional art techniques with modern technology allows the game's visuals to remain fresh, as evidenced by the upcoming 20th Anniversary Masterpiece Collection, celebrating its lasting impact and visual identity.
"We're not using physically based rendering (PBR)," begins Adam, referring to a now-standard lighting and texturing technique in modern games. Instead, Guild Wars 2 leans into a hand-painted art style that has become a hallmark of its aesthetic identity."
"That decision has been both a limitation and a source of inspiration. Aaron Coberly [art director], always likes to say our materials and textures should feel handcrafted, like a piece of metal that was hammered out or leather that was hand-stitched."
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