Traditional design elements in chinese MMORPG
LiuPu
Guan Jiaqing
Wuhan University
Wuhan University
Wuhan, Hubei Province430072, China
Wuhan, Hubei Province430072, China
[email protected]
[email protected]
Abstract-Network game art is a kind of digital interactive art,
By researching
also a unique cultural form. This paper described the style and characteristics of Chinese MMORPG game mainly from the aspect of visual design, analyzed the extraction and applications of the ancient Chinese traditional elements, summarized the existing deficiencies, provided suggestions and references for designers, and tried to explore creative digital art design with rich cultural connotation.
Chinese
in
Chinese
MMORPGs
and
successful experience from the perspective of digital art design, it would summarize the application experiences of traditional elements of game art and design, and also provide reference for other art and design fields. As the saying: Gaining new ideas and inspiration from inheriting traditional and national culture is an important part that cannot be ignored
Keywords- traditional Chinese element, game art design,
in
the
process
of
globalization
and
internationalization.
MMORPG
II. 1.
the extraction method of traditional
elements
EXTRACTING DESIGN ELEMENTS FROM CHINESE
INTRODUCTION
TRADITIONAL CULTURE
MMORPG, that is a massively multiplayer online role
The gratifYing achievement of MMORPG of cultural
playing game, is a highly popular interactive multimedia art,
industry relies on potential market demand and government
as a kind of network game.
preferential policies on the original animation production.
According to "the 2009 Chinese Game Industry Report",
But more importantly, it is because the domestic game
jointly issued by the Chinese game Committee Association
companies emphasize refining and mining of traditional
(GPC) and the International Data Corporation (IDC), the
elements of their own. Since 2007, they have realized the
actual sales revenue of 2009 Chinese online game was 183.8
advantages of cultural resources, and adjusted from imitating
million RMB, 76.6% growth than in 2007. The number of
foreign well-known games to exploring and developing
Chinese online game users reached 49.36 million, an
games independently, then exporting. "To some extent, the
increase of 22.9%. They predicted that by 2013, the actual
Sinomania brought about by the 2008 Olympic Games,
sales income of Chinese online game would be 39.76 billion
indirectly
RMB, and the compound growth rate be16.7%. MMORPG
development based on the Chinese culture. As a result, the
was the main export product of Chinese self online game. By
Chinese online game have turned over battle since 2007."
the end of 2009, about 51 large-scale online game products
(Zhu Qi ,president of PWRD)
promoted
the
independent
research
and
exported to the USA, Britain, France, Germany, Korea,
Chinese traditional culture is inherited and develops from
Japan, etc, nearly 50 countries and regions. The export
generation to generation, with distinctive features, a long
earnings of 2009 Chinese online game was $1.06, a 47.2%
history, and rich cultural connotation of the Chinese nation.
improvement over 2008.1t owned 80% of Vietnam's online
It divides into two parts: Intangible Cultural, which includes
game share ,and formed China tradition culture hot, with the
thoughts, ideas, rituals, customs, religion, philosophy, music,
games
festival,
such
as
"JX
Online"
by
KingSoft
company
and "Dragon Oath" by NASDAQ CYOu.
etc
,and
material
culture,
including
building,
clothing, cooking, crafts, etc. The Extraction of traditional
The online game industry develops rapidly against the
design elements focused on the material one, such as the
current background of the generally tight entity economic
exploitation and utilization the visual elements of Chinese
situation, and emerges to be the leader of whole Chinese
garden, pavilion, castle, lacquer work, stone carving, clay
Internet industry. As a flexible form of cultural and creative
sculpture, paper cutting, shadow play, embroidery, batik,
industries, MMORPG, not only becomes an effective means
auspicious patterns, Qin brick, Tang suit and Han Clothing.
against economic crisis, with great social and economic value, but also provides a wide range of efficient channels for cultural interchanges and communication, carries forward the Chinese cultural transmission, and blows strong wind to the game industry with its combination of modem game art design and Chinese traditional elements.
Figure I. Example of auspicious patterns
978-1-4244-7974-0/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE
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Graphic design is the directly embodied aspects of the game effects. Current domestic MMORPGs attract more and more people's attention for their screen effects. Players fight, trade, adventure, enjoy entertainment and make friends in spectacular
battle
scenes,
also
enjoy
traditional
art
atmosphere. IV.
ApPLICATION METHODS AND APPLICATION STATUS OF
TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS IN CHINA'S DOMESTIC MMORPG
"Dragon CHUSEN",
Oath",
"ztIIol",
"XunXian
"ASKTAO","LEGEND
Online","
West
Boast
of
Tours",
and"Sword and Fairy XJOL", which rank among the top most popular online games, are infiltrated by traditional . Chmese thoughts and culture everywhere for their scenes ' characters ,dialogues props or costumes .
First of all, In aspect of time background settings, most of the games extracts from Chinese traditional Myths and legends: for example," West Boast Tours online" is adapted from the classic myth novel "Pilgrimage to the West", game world
of
"XunXian
Online"
is
derived
from
Chinese
mythology, The background of "Xuanyuan sword Online" is
Figure2. Example of Chinese Clothing and embroidery
the mix of mythological "Liaozhaizhiyi" and Chinese ancient
�egen�s. So they all happen in the era of mythology. "ztIIol"
III.
IS set m a troubled time of feudal Chinese dynasty, when the
FEATURES OF MMORPG
Lords
MMORPG is a kind of Massively Multiplayer Game. A great many of people interact and communicate with the role of other game players through the Internet client-server side in the connective and interactive virtual space environment MMORPG's history can be
b�sed
:
crisscrossing,
more,
The
unique
of
alone RPG, but has its own story background. In the virtual
elements
theory,
and
other
Chinese
traditional
beliefs.
cooking, tea ceremony, antique, Chinese medicine, Chinese
specifi� role attributes and players' feedback attracts players, . mamtams loyalty of the online gamers, and contributes to
astrology
,classical
four
Chinese
arts
of
music
�
chess
h
calligraphy and painting, and get knowledge ab ut suc
players with different cultural background accepting this
tradition.
particular cultural settings.
Thirdly, scene design is set according to the historical
Millions upon millions of Internet users plays the roles of
characteristics
different characteristics. As a result, it forms the virtual
of
era,
region,
geography,
and
scenery
involved in the historical background of game story. So it
public environment and social relations similar to the real
creates a real environment. More realistic based on Chinese
community with interpersonal systems, occupation systems,
history, more credible and cordial. Many MMORPGs have
PK system, and interaction. The social experiences and which
implication.
Additionally, the player will be in the entertainment of
the story progresses. The growth experience based on the
features
cultural
the fu�ion of Confucianism, Legalism, Taoism, Mohist, . BuddhIsm, ym-yang school, Huang Lao's ideology, Five
world with mainline tasks , new story missions appears as
unique
deep
world outlook of "Xuanyuan Sword Online" is enriched with
Network RPG does not have a complete story line as stand
are
have
Its overall atmosphere is sunny, healthy, and lively. The
culture and cultural transmission among the general public.
characteristics
which
values, with national spirit and various folk custom etiquette.
MMORPG is also conducive to the application of traditional
public
or
heroism. "XunXian Online" is based on traditional eastern
cultural
characteristics
legends,
virtual concept of national honor, loyalty, true love, and
has the established market mechanism, which is conducive to industry. Further
Myths,
and
background
The second aspect is the game's world outlook, ideology . and belIef systems. "JX Online" attracts fans of wuxia by
are completely market-oriented cultural enterprises, which of
Chinese
such
Consequently, it also brings a very good market return.
Since the date of its birth, Chinese MMORPG companies
competItIon
well-known
Machiavellian
Under
and martial arts hero existing in, justice and affection
Oline, which exactly mature MMORPG.
international
on
,with
overrunning.
but romantic and implicative dreams with supernatural genie
traced back to the 1970s
MUD ,to the text-based Adventure, Dungeon, Zork ,then to
or
separately
hIStOry ,these games are no longer simply fighting games,
the graphics-based Meridian59, and then to 1997 Ultima
export
hang
manipulativeness
the affectionate regard of ancient regional characteristics and
differ
�
tradit onal Chinese architecture, and blend Chinese painting
MMORPG from other games, which not only attract players,
style mto the �ame scene design. "Sword and Fairy XJOL", wher� There IS full of Landscapes of ink and wash painting
occupy the most-watched position in the intense competition game market, but also make a large number of users practice
?r Fme Brushwork painting, accompanied by classical mstrument performance of flute, dizi, erhu, pipa, reveals
the ideological and cultural concepts advocated in the game world.
profound traditional cultural charm in every spectacular city,
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magnificent palace, mighty wall, martial camp, elegant
inherits and promotes Chinese art style by character and
pavilion, meticulously created garden, carefully arranged
monster 's setting.
water, deep courtyard, zigzagged corridor, artificial rockeries, beautiful sculpture, wooden carving ,and fresh verdure.
Figure4. Example of character design
V.
SHORTCOMINGS OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN ELEMENTS APPLICATION
Currently,
the
phenomenon
of
following
the
trend
appears frequently in Chinese MMORPGs ,with repeated themes and imitated configuration. Always the same thing. No new active ideas in a large number of similar games, and as to form "Aesthetic Fatigue". It becomes a tumbling block, on the road of development of online games. It is expected that more innovative art design works produced among MMORPGs. Chinese traditional clothing system has formed certain stability in the long process of historical evolution. The tie-in
Finally, the character and monster's design couldn't
method of shapes , colors, accessories and other primary
conceal the rooted effect of Chinese traditional culture.
element, have adopted a relatively fixed mode. It is for this
Personas' faces are typical eastern Asian. In addition, the
reason that unique Chinese clothing style developes. But this
hair styles, body shapes, and other features are based on
mode has also caused restrictions and rigescence when
personality and characteristics of ancient occupation. There
applied to MMORPG. It is embodied in the"Wholesale
are common career of swordsman, daoke, assassin, hercule, Warrior, mage
pharmacists,
,warlocks
corresponding
monk,
,necromancer,
ancient
Chinese
alchemist etc.
So
Sinicization" mindset or rigid thought pattern.
spell there
costumes,
On
exist
domestic
system as auxiliary part of character design, making players also
reflecting
clothing
the
system
.
abundant Virtual
and
huge
monsters
art-style,
displaying
films
thing
a
phenomenon
group
happened
.Generally
in in
some certain
,European
and
and
blend
mechanically
and
mix
automatically
without though, in the process of learn and integration, there
two
will be of inconformity and discordance as to line, color,
dimensional figures of 1970s Chinese cartoons in a three
proportion, leading the game characters' face, dress, and
dimensional way, adding pixel style, with high image quality but low hardware requirements,
the
as
painting style. If Chinese MMORPG design is affected by others,
For example, "XunXian Online", whose screen is extremely classical
animation
to
confusion
game figures usually Chinese wuxia style and Chinese
recombination and collocation of parts of natural animals,
Chinese
similar
and design
and exaggerated , with big eyes and heads. while Chinese
often
according to the description in legend and mythical stories. strong
character
cold and wild. The Japan and South Korea ones are simple
ancient
are
contrary, chaos the
American game roles are brave, strong , vigorous, buxom,
have many choice, increasing richness and novelty into Chinese
on
MMORPGs,
ornaments and props, which also called RPG paper dolls
games,
the
appears
equipment,
decorations into a messy situation.
sets its characters in
accordance with traditional-style cartoon and puppet films of "Monkey King", "Calabash Brothers", "Lotus Lantern". It
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VI.
globalization, making creative design more diversified, and
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
expanding its culture connotation. Inheriting national culture
The ultimate purpose of traditional research is to find the
and taking in the spirit, learning and adding continuously,
rules and nature, and to create, distinguishing the feature of
then forming self-style revealed traditional charm, is a
own unique cultural resources without exclusion of every
desirable approach of perfect combination.
culture, not by rote, but carrying on the personalized refining of distinct characteristics, then performing creative new personalized style with the expression in this MMORPG
REFERENCES
artistic language means. Research and development of domestic MMORPG is still
[lJ Qian Long, Game Design Introduction, Beijing: Science
in its beginning stage, requiring more attention, being
Press, 2006.
expected to be improved. The combination of Chinese traditional elements and modem MMORPG game art design
[2J Xue XueSong and Zhang Jing, Game art and design,
language, contributes to promoting the traditional culture
Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2005.
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