Gaming Systems Put Cartoon Animation on Steroids
by Kelly Richardson
Animation School Review Columnist
Anyone who has followed the video gaming industry over the past twenty or thirty years has witnessed an incredible transformation. What was once a single blip and sliding bar is now a canvas of complex figures and complex story lines.
When most people think cartoon animation, the first thing that comes to mind is video games. As games went from the arcade to the living room, cartoon animation professionals competed to create the latest and greatest in moveable graphics and explosive sound.
Cartoon Animation Grows Up
You can follow the development of cartoon animation in the video gaming industry by tracing the path of the industry itself. The top consoles of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s reveal the advancements of cartoon animation technologies.
- First Generation. Atari and Activision introduced the world to gaming through basic eight and sixteen-bit cartoon animation applications.
- Second Generation. Nintendo burst onto the scene with fresh new titles and handheld computer gaming systems.
- Third Generation. Sony made big waves with its Playstation series, featuring unique computer animation Modchips that extended the capacities of the console.
The Future of Cartoon Animation
So just what does the future hold for cartoon animation in the video gaming industry? This nine billion dollar a year business shows no signs of slowing. So you can bet that expectations will reach an all-time high. The new generation of animation will feature:
- Versatility. Graphics must be formatted to fit a variety of display mediums.
- Portability. Handheld gaming will increase the demand for higher animation resolution.
If the past is any indication, the next thirty years of cartoon animation improvements will open up new frontiers in gaming.
About the author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.
