Today I finally got around to the graphical concept of one of my latest projects and began to think to myself about whether cel-shading could be a possible turn off for some people when they first see the game. I noticed that in the non-indie part of the game industry there are few successful/good games that are cel-shaded. I think this could be from the fact that some people see cel-shading as childish or "for kids". The project I am working on is mostly geared towards those in their twenties and I was wondering how could I make cel-shaded graphics not look childish (for an example of what I don't want look at The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker)? [Summary] Could cel-shaded graphics be a turn-off for some gamers and what could be done to prevent the cel-shading from seeming to childish?

There is nothing childish about cel shading. The tone of your work will speak for itself.

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Original post by KodeNerd Could cel-shaded graphics be a turn-off for some gamers

Short answer: Yes.

More accurate answer: Yes, for some gamers. Other gamers, such as myself, prefer good quality cel-shaded graphics. You'd actually have a better chance of attracting my attention with a stylish cel-shaded game than yet another attempt at realistic graphics.

I thought the cel-shading in Wind Waker was extremely well done; I prefered the style of that game to the more generic look of Twilight Princess. I thought most of the complaints about the style were from the sort of people who didn't enjoy Zelda games in the first place. However if you don't want that style, you could look at other games that use it like XIII or Team Fortress 2.

Wind Waker was one of the most beautiful games I've ever seen (my only wish is that Link's head resembles a little bit less of a football). I wish I could say that the overworld was as exquisitely designed, however navigation was boring, and exploration felt like a chore (combat and dungeons were some of the best moments in video games though).

Anyways, back on topic...

Other than Team Fortress 2, or XIII, which have been mentioned, some other AAA titles using a less cartoony cel-shaded style are Okami (PS2) and Prince of Persia (Xbox360, PS3). Both are really nice visually. Another game is the latest Naruto game (Xbox360).


I'm not an artist by any means, but the colours and shape of your characters most likely define your style a lot more than any rendering style could. Grittier colours, less exaggerated shapes, etc. would help move any game away from being considered "cartoony" regardless of whether or not you're using cel-shaded techniques or not.

If you want to do non-realistic rendering without feeling "kiddy" then perhaps move away from the traditional cel shading which emulates cartoons and go for something based on comic books - Jet Set Radio, Crackdown and Viewtiful Joe would be good examples.

Cel shading like Renaissance and cel shading like Wind Waker are as related as prints by Albrecht Dürer and prints by Andy Warhol.

The "essence" of cel shading is making 3D animation look like traditional comics or cartoons done with few flat colours, but since 3D animation is an exceptionally flexible medium and drawings even more so, there is nothing intrinsically childish about cel shading.

There is however, a dying tradition that "cartoons" (in a rather loose sense) are for children: just make obvious that your game is for a mature audience and its style comes from adult comics (like e.g. Akira or Sin City) and not from childish products.
That is, your game will be unlike Wind Waker because it doesn't revolve around a stylized cute elf in a simplified fairyland, not because it isn't cel shaded.
I don't know what kind of game you have in mind, but things that tend to look great cel shaded or in completely flat colours include:
- explosions
- spattered blood
- serious-looking mecha and weapons
- blinding sunlight (and exaggerated shadows)
- nudity

A couple other "mature" titles that used cell shading and not yet mentioned here:

">Killer 7

">No More Heroes

Also,

Afro Samurai

Like I said in my first post, it's the tone of the work.