Research Task

For the research task I will be looking at screenshot from the game which has then been slightly edited into a piece of concept art from the game “Assassins Creed 2”.Then comparing it to a painting of the same area, as assassin’s creed is based in the 15th century Venice, its more fair to compare as it’s the same location. I will then compare the two images, and how they used the same techniques to create it and how they also differ. So starting with the classical painting ...                

 The painting was from an italian website so unsure whether it was painted during the period,or a reproduction piece,either way I'm sure its oil paint on canvas and is suitable for the comparision[1].

 This is a wallpaper that was for advertising the game,made by using the ingame models and edited abit on the way it was set out, as the area is not this vast ingame after a little run around in the game to check it out closer, so maybe is a very carefully done composite instead of  screenshot minus the character and HUD.It's also very usefull as the angles are nearly the same, so is better for comparing between the two images.

So to compare the to two images im going to look at the artistic processes of each and which ones have in common, for the first image the processes are drawing to get the image in place , the composition right,by doing this they get everything in correct before going into paint.Much like how digital artists work, by blocking out the basic shapes together , before getting deep into detail,a good example of these is the Dylan Cole "Landscape Matte Painting" Dvd.[2] In regards to the AC2 concept art , it looks like the main part of the Basilica San Marco is the 3D ingame model and the rest is a composite painting,by doing this the artist has used multiple artistic proccesses to create the image, which uses the more advance technology of today , yet it is stil not classed as "real" art.

The use of lighting is the only noticable difference the classic painting uses a more real world lightning and isnt as vivid as is an "as it is ", the concept art using more contrast tones to create a darker mood , probably set to match the game.The concept art to me looks more like an actual picture of the San Marco[3] rather than the

classical painting, It looks more sharpe,lighted correctly.The classical piece would have been the highest of the technology to create such an artwork, but due to the new advancements new more higher quality,accurate work can be created.

But also this high quality,design can now be applied to ingame enviroments , gone are the rough 8bit graphics but new , rich enviroments that are amazing and beautiful to look at from every angle, just like it should be such as this in-game screenshot which also shows the San Marco in the background.[4]

I have visited Venice on holiday once , and seen the san marco up close, and it is remarkable that a game has got to near 99% on how things look, its amazing, if all games are up and coming with graphical looks like this, with fine concept art, there is without a doubt that games are art , and could be exhibited in galleries.

Screenshots, taken ingame by me, showing the different angles, as compared to the paintings and the released images by Ubisoft and the photograph of the area.

[1]Artist Unknown[c.1550] Reception of the Ambassdor in the Doge's Palace[painting].Held at
N.A.Availableto view at http://www.01ns.eu/lacornice/imp022.htm.

[2] Dylan Cole [2009]The Techniques of Dylan Cole 1 Introduction to Landscape Matte Painting[internet] Available from:

[3]Unknown[2003] The Trip to Italy - June 2003 Venice (Venezia)[photograph] Available at http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_venice.htm.

[4]Ubisoft[2009]Screenshot[Photograph] Available at http://gamernode.com/upload/manager//News%20Images/assassins_creed_2_sex1254338552.jpg