The Expressions of Colours

A whole world is presented in front of the eyes of a gamer. This world has shapes and colours. What do colours transmit? Is this considered in digital games? This is the main subject for the present proposal. We are part of a culture which has been decanting meanings for ages, including those of colours. These coded meanings are shared connotations of feelings, sensations, atmosphere, thoughts, and moods. Repeatedly this symbolism is used without realizing how colours communicate; is there anyone who has ever felt a little blue? So, if colours can express, gamers would get messages which are related to reactions and sensations. The understanding of how colours are used in digital games would provide us a better comprehension about what and how the information could be interpreted by users. Diverse elements of digital games will be taken into account, e.g. characters, landscapes, clothes, objects, interfaces. Some examples would be useful: in StarCraft, the colours of the interfaces change with the race that is being played; if Protoss race is chosen, the command interface will be yellow, colour associated with intelligence, main attribute of protoss. Another illustration, if the game need to emphasize that our character is in solitude or in a sad environment, a good option would be to use blue in the scenery, like in Oddworld: Abe’s exodus. The best format for this presentation is a poster, since screenshots are a convenient way to illustrate how the game industry has been using colours. Hence, there will be posters explaining different characteristics of colours and its connotations whit examples of digital games. The number of panels will depend on the size of the boards assigned to this kind of presentations.