When it comes to mobile game development, hyper-casual games have taken center stage. Their addictive simplicity and engaging gameplay have made them incredibly popular among gamers of all ages. As a result, the demand for developing these types of games has skyrocketed.

To help you get started on your own hyper-casual game journey, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to create stunning scenes and graphics that will captivate your audience.

Scene Objects Location

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of visual setup, it's crucial to establish a solid foundation by deciding where objects will be placed in your scene. Avoid grouping similar objects at identical distances from each other. Instead, bundle up objects of varying sizes to create visually appealing compositions.

For instance, you could place a large spruce tree next to a small one, with ample space between them. Alternatively, tiny characters can stand around massive tables or a big tree can be paired with a small one, accompanied by a minuscule rock. By doing so, you'll create an eye-catching scene that invites exploration.

Choice of Colors

The starting point for visual setup is selecting the base color. Once this decision is made, everything else will fall into place.

Choosing the right colors from millions of hues can be overwhelming, which is why it's essential to simplify the process by limiting your options. Here are two ways to do so:

  • Try pre-made color palettes: Game design resources offer a wide range of ready-made color palettes that you can use as inspiration or even adopt entirely.
  • Utilize the Adobe Color Circle: This intuitive tool allows you to create a 5-color palette by moving small circles. The result is an harmonious and visually appealing color scheme.

When using the Adobe Color Circle, keep in mind two basic principles:

  • Color triad: Select colors from within a triangle on the circle.
  • Complementary colors: Choose colors that are opposite each other on the circle.

Remember to avoid very bright colors and opt for calmer shades instead. This will help you create a visually appealing scene that's easy on the eyes.

Setting Up the Color Proportions

To create a cohesive scene, it's essential to set up color proportions correctly. Objects shouldn't be evenly colored in different hues; instead, one color should dominate, with two or three colors close together serving as accent colors.

For instance, in the scene above, yellowish-green is the dominant color, while white serves as an accent color, drawing attention to the small characters.

Setting Up Shaders

Shaders are a crucial aspect of mobile game development, allowing you to transform your scene into visually stunning graphics. By setting up shaders correctly, you can achieve beautiful, clean colors and a stylized cartoonish look.

The key principle is to set up limitations:

  • Avoid black shadows: Cartoon-looking shaders make the scene look more casual-genre.
  • Use colored shadows: Blue, green, or purple shadows create a more vibrant atmosphere.

Unity Asset Store offers a range of free and easy-to-use shaders. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up a shader:

  1. Create a new material (e.g., the floor).
  2. Choose a shader without an outline.
  3. Select the texture for the object.
  4. Adjust the Global Color Modifier to change the color of the entire object.
  5. Utilize Lighting Ramp to adjust the boundary between light and shadow.
  6. Adjust High Light to fine-tune the color and brightness of the illuminated part of the object.
  7. Set Low Light to a slightly darker shade than your main color.

Adding Textures

Realistic textures are essential for creating an immersive gaming experience. By adding textures correctly, you can enhance the overall visual appeal of your scene.

In this article, we've covered the essential steps to set up stunning scenes and graphics in hyper-casual games. By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to creating engaging mobile games that captivate your audience.