Character design in video games via generative art

Producing art with algorithms is a controlled environment that is tightly connected with mathematics compared to traditional art. It expresses the transformation of ideas into forms and colors via electronic algorithms. Generative art supporters approach the subject as an economy of skipping ideation process in design. As any other method, generative methods may result in distinctive and surprising outcomes. Purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using generative methods when designing video game characters in video game industry which is a field that is industrially replicated and relies heavily on visual design. In the first part of this study, there are descriptions of generative art and some related topics like algorithms and randomness which can be useful to understand the study better. In the second part, the evolution of generative art is examined with visual examples. Usage and benefits of generative art in industries related to art like video games, architecture are also explained. In the third part, determining the designer's role in generative methods are discussed. A digital image that is produced by algorithms is tested on screen. The plausibility of transforming the designer controlled algorithm's outcomes into original designs and usability of them in a video game is questioned. The result of this test can be used as a roadmap to design with algorithms.