This week, I decided on my final thesis topic and research question. I knew I wanted to focus on 3D animation in games because that’s what I enjoy the most. I didn’t want to choose something random — I wanted a topic that shows how the game industry is changing and growing.
The topic I chose is:
The Evolution of Character Design in Games: From Low-Poly Aesthetics to AAA
My research question is:
How has character design in AAA games changed from low-polygon models to the detailed characters we see today, and what new technology made this possible?
I picked this because I find it interesting to see how game characters have improved over the years. They started out very simple, but now they look very realistic and detailed. I want to learn how that change happened and what tools helped artists create better characters.
Things I Will Be Looking Into:
- How game engines (like Unreal Engine) helped improve character design
- How modeling changed from low-poly to high-poly and sculpting
- How new ways of texturing (like PBR) added more detail
- How rigging and animation tools have improved
- How big game studios work on characters step-by-step
- Examples of characters that changed over time in different games
- New tools like Metahumans and AI in character creation
- How better characters help players feel more connected to the game
Choosing this topic has made me feel more focused and excited. I’m ready to learn more and move forward with my research.