Archive
«Narodoznavchi Zoshyty» 2015 year, issue 2 read »
The Ethnology Notebooks. 2023. № 2 (170). С. 271-502 DOI... read »
2012 year, issue 2 read »
2013 year, issue 3 read »

« 2025. # 1 (181)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2025. № 1 (181), 186—192

UDK 7.012-028.22:[004.9:004.77]

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/

THE ROLE OF VISUAL STORYTELLING IN VIDEO GAMES  

SHYLO Oleksandr

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8711-7521
  • doctor of arts, professor of the Department of Fine Arts and Design of Academic and Research Institute of Architecture, Design, and Fine Arts,
  • O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, 17, Chornoglazivska Str., 61002, Kharkiv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: alexandershilo55@gmail.com

BATUREVYCH Dina

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1090-5095
  • Master’s student of the Department of Fine Arts and Design of Academic and Research Institute of Architecture, Design, and Fine Arts, O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv,
  • 17, Chornoglazivska Str., 61002, Kharkiv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: dinarutiko@gmail.com

Abstract. The modern digital media industry is in a stage of active prosperity. Video games are considered a relatively new genre compared to others, which creates opportunities for further discoveries, novelty of research and the emergence of alternative options for using the results of this field. It combines various ways of conveying information, one of which is visual storytelling, which is based on figurative non-verbal perception. It is visual storytelling that acts as an international means of communication, the understanding of which is not limited by the requirements for knowledge of a particular language, being conditioned only by the global cultural context.

The purpose of this work is to analyze modern trends and methods of visual storytelling to understand how authors use imaginative thinking and the player’s perception to convey the story and game mechanics, in particular, to study the role of color, symbolism and imagery in the emotional perception and actualization of content. The object is visual storytelling in the context of video games.

One of the tasks of this work is to analyze the basic principles, modern trends and methods of using and creating visual storytelling to understand how authors use imaginative thinking and the player’s perception to convey the story and game mechanics, through the use of visual images, colors and symbolism.

The work explores the process of interaction of the final product of game design and visual storytelling with the player in the field, through the analysis of the concept art stage. The study provides a brief overview of the design stage of concepts, and the role of the following elements in it: imagery, visual metaphors, colorology, symbolism,

The characteristics and methods of visual storytelling are described, which communicate with a person not at the linguistic level, but at the cultural-figurative level, which argues for the leading role of visual storytelling, recognizing its role not only in visual aesthetics, but also in the ability to freely compete with the technical aspects of game projects, through the competent construction of accents, even at the stage of their development.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, digital technologies, virtual environment, images of the architectural environment in the context of video games, visual storytelling, video game, concept art, colorology, symbolism, imagery, critical thinking.

Received 30.01.2025

REFERENCES

  • Newman, M.Z. (2015). Game after: a cultural study of video game afterlife. The Journal of Theory and Practice, 1 (Vol. 19, pp. 136—138). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13642529.2015.954783 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024). 
  • Mazurok, M., & Saprykina O. (2022). Storytelling as an effective tool formation of communicative competence of educators of the new ukrainian school. Youth & market, 1, 199. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4634.2022.254106 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Ukrainian].
  • Bondarenko, N. (2019). Storytelling as a communication trend and a cross-curricular method of learning. Youth & market, 7 (174), 130—135 [in Ukrainian].
  • Demkiv, A. (2021). Storytelling as a means of expression in graphic design illustration: master’s thesis. Retrieved from: https://er.knutd.edu.ua/handle/123456789/19423 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Ukrainian].
  • Dovzhenko, I., Dubinina,Y., & Prasol, S. (2021). Criating a visual narrative for motion and video design: Thesis. Retrieved from: https://er.knutd.edu.ua/handle/123456789/18120 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Ukrainian].
  • Izotova, N. (2019). Literary narrative in the context of Ludic Stylistics. Humanities science current issues, 20 (Vol. 1, pp. 63—67). DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4863.1/20.167364 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Ukrainian].
  • Haggis, M. (2016). Creator’s discussion of the growing focus on, and potential of, storytelling in video game design. Persona Studies, 1 (Vol. 2, pp. 20—25). DOI: https://doi.org/10.21153/ps2016vol2no1art532 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024).
  • Kravets, L.V. (2022). Imagery, Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine. Retrieved from: https://esu.com.ua/article-74648 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Ukrainian].
  • Marakhovska, K.D. (2023). Color in psychology, culture and design: relationship, perception and impact on human emotions and behavior. Psychology of the individual’s living space in modern conditions of crisis, globalization and digital transformation of social life: Materials of the International Scientific and Practical Conference, Odessa. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32837/11300.26414 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Ukrainian].
  • Livingston, L.A. (1991). The Effect of Color on Performance in an Instructional Gaming Environment. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 2 (Vol. 24, pp. 246—253). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08886504.1991.10782006 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024). 
  • Momchilova, A. (2019). Color as an artistic tool of makeup (Pp. 28). DOI: https://doi.org/10.35619/ucpmk.vi28.113 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Ukrainian].
  • Jonna, G., & Kasra, K. (2013). Symbolism in Games. Thesis. Blekinge University of Technology, Department of Planning and Media Design. Retrieved from: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-4815 (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in Swedish].
  • (2020). Using symbols of unconstitutional organisations. Strafgesetzbuch. (Section 86a). Retrieved from: https://dejure.org/gesetze/stgb/86a.html (Last accessed: 10.12.2024) [in German].
  • Popovychuk, V.O. (2020). Judicial practice of illegal use of the symbols of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red Crystal in foreign countries, issues of law enforcement and qualification of criminal offenses in Ukraine. Scientific notes of the V.I. Vernadsky TNU. Series: Legal Sciences, 5 (Vol. 31, pp. 99—105) [in Ukrainian].
Our authors
Stepan Pavluk. Prof., full member of NAS of Ukraine,... read »
Ulana Movna. Senior Research Fellow, Ph.D. in History. read »
Oksana Sapeliak. Senior Research Fellow, Ph.D. in... read »
Olena Nykorak. Senior Researcher, Doctor of Arts read »
Boikos’ pandemonium: categories of evil deceased
In the article have been presented some research-work on peculiarities of Boikos’ traditional demonological notions as for so-called evil deceased; on the basis of field records and ethnological literary sources quite a number of scum categories have been defined as well as essential habits, modes of behavior and functions of these personages of people’s demonology.
Read »

Traditional folk clothes of velikobychkovsky hutsuly of XIX — the first half of XX century
In the study based upon numerous field materials, literature sources as well as ethnographic, historio-cultural and regional museum collections has been performed complex analysis in traditional folk clothes by Hutzul population of Velyky Bychkiv village in Transcarpathian region. Detailed descriptions of femi­nine and masculine clothing complexes of the mentioned area have been presented. In characterizing of those main attention has been paid to the detail of cut in separate components of dress; cut of feminine shirt has been added as an illustration.
Read »

On field exploration of russian and belarusian ethnologists and etnolinguists in Ukrainian Polisia 1945—1980s
In the study based on a wide range of literary materials have been comprehensively characterised field research in Polisia of Ukraine, performed by Russian and Belarusian ethnologists during 1945—1980s as well as Moscow ethnolinguists and other researchers from ethnologic centres of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in the course of realization of Ethnolinguistic Atlas of Polisia program. Particular attention has been paid to geography, methods, themes and research results of scientific projects.
Read »

Maternity ritualism by volhynians in publications of the second half XIX to the early XXI cc.
In the article have been considered some basic landmarks for fixing and publication of ethnographic materials on the maternity rites of Volhynia with analytical study in ritual elements, their kinds and territories of origin. The article has also raised a problem of gaps in studies of maternity rites of Ukrainian historio-ethnographic Volhynia.
Read »