In video games, the isometric projection method has become popular because of the ease with which 2D graphics can be made from sprites and tiles to represent a 3D isometric game environment. Because objects projected in parallel do not change in size as they move across the area, the computer does not need to scale the sprites or perform the complex calculations required to simulate visual perspective.
2D isometric games vary greatly in genres and gameplay – among them, you can find both strategies and action games. The key feature of these games is that they use only two dimensions, so the game appears flat. Such games were popular in the late 1990s due to the limitations of engines and technologies, but they also gained a second wind in the late 2000s, when the boom of indie projects began. And these games should not just be given a chance but should be stimulated for their development in the modern game market.
What is Isometrics for?
Isometrics are an integral part of the video game industry. This state of affairs shows us that isometric video games are not just a passing phase. They will continue to exist for many years and will be played no matter what. Isometrics is an evolution of the flat design of video games, and thanks to this, it was possible not only to maintain its simplicity but also to add depth.
The concept of isometry in computer games refers to one type of parallel projection with a special camera arrangement where the viewing angle is shifted so that it creates a three-dimensional effect and allows you to show some details of the environment that are not visible when viewed from above or from the side.
How To Make an Isometric Game
If earlier an artist, a programmer, or a game designer was the only isometric character creator and “their” interaction was as effective as possible, now a lot of time is spent on linking all processes and synchronizing tasks (for example, a programmer may need isometric character sprites at the earliest stages of development). On the other hand, the game’s creation is accelerating at times, and new features appear daily. Basic criteria of 2D isometric games:
- performance;
- development speed;
- cross-platform.
In video games, the isometric projection method has become popular because of the ease with which 2D graphics can be made from sprites and tiles to represent a 3D game environment. Because objects projected in parallel do not change in size as they move across the area, the computer does not need to scale the sprites or perform the complex calculations required to simulate visual perspective.
Benefits of Isometrics in Games
Isometrics can alleviate situations where the player may be distracted from the game’s core mechanics due to the need to control a cumbersome 3D camera constantly. That is, the player can focus on the game itself and not on manipulating the game camera during action. Moreover, it is worth highlighting the advantages of isometric drawing. Among them are the simplicity, informativeness, and speed of creating an isometric sprite.
But this genre is certainly not without flaws. One of the main drawbacks of isometric graphics is that as display resolutions and aspect ratios continue to evolve, static 2D images need to be re-rendered every time, and the same needs to be done with characters. To do this, you need to create an isometric character sprite sheet.
Conclusion
These days, the resurgence of isometric projection is not just a source of nostalgia but the result of real, tangible design benefits. Nostalgia certainly plays a role in why you still see an isometric perspective, but to say that isometrics is obsolete or coming to an end is silly. Games that use isometrics prove that it’s a smart design element that will stand the test of time.
The technology of isometric game design does not stand still; the third dimension is already something common for us, and we are slowly moving to VR projects. However, this did not affect the existence of projects using isometry in any way; on the contrary, their number is growing yearly. She finds new, sometimes unexpected uses, and the popularity of games with isometrics wipes the nose of many other games in the first or third person.
