Game Devs of Color Expo 2025
Location: Online

Talk: Atmosphere in Games: Crafting Experiences That Feel Alive

A strong atmosphere is a key component in making a game memorable. Feelings of awe, beauty, and mystery can be evoked through atmosphere alone, leaving a lasting impression on players. I explored atmosphere in the context of games through a theoretical and practical lens.

The talk outlined atmosphere through the topics of player-human embodiment, user interface, sound, game state, environmental design, narrative, VFX, and emergent atmosphere. Technical, and non-technical examples from various games are examined to provide inspiration for enhancing the atmosphere in your projects.