Apply Post-Processing Effects to Refine the Atmosphere
On this page
Post-processing effects are valuable tools for evoking desired emotional responses in players. It is important to note that some of these effects replicate imperfections found in optical systems—flaws that are generally undesirable in the real world. Such effects include:
Bloom.
Chromatic aberration.
Film grain.
Lens distortion.
Lens dirt.
Lens flare.
Vignette.
Because these effects may not appeal to all players, it is highly advisable to provide an option for disabling them entirely.
Bloom
Bloom is used to create glow effects on luminous objects.
With bloom, you can evoke:
Danger.
Example:
Objects emitting intense light that appear significantly brighter than the surrounding ambient light. For example, headlights can blind the player in complete darkness if looked at directly.
Drama.
Example:
In freeze-frame moments, adding bloom can enhance the dramatic effect.
A dreamlike atmosphere.
Example:
Bloom can be used when player characters are dreaming or experiencing visions or hallucinations.
The strong light sources in Supraland produce a noticeable bloom effect.
Credit: Supra Games. Footage captured by the author.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration simulates color fringing caused by real-world camera lenses.
With chromatic aberration, you can evoke:
Danger.
Example:
When an electronic device used by the player malfunctions or is disrupted by an external signal.
Example:
When the player character collides with a hard object.
Contrast
Contrast refers to the tonal range between light and dark areas of an image. Reducing contrast lightens the image, while increasing it darkens the image.
Low contrast can evoke:
A dreamlike quality: Suitable for dream sequences or hallucinations.
A vintage aesthetic.
A scene in Frostpunk conveys a vintage atmosphere primarily through low contrast, complemented by slightly muted colors, increased brightness, and visible dirt on the player’s camera lens.
Credit: 11 bit studios S.A.. Screenshot captured by the author.
High contrast can evoke:
Energy: It can bring vibrancy and dynamism to a scene.
Depth of Field
Depth of field simulates the blurring of elements that fall outside the camera’s focal plane. This effect contributes to a cinematic feel by guiding the player’s attention toward specific areas of the screen.
In Tacoma, when reading AR desktop messages, the background blurs to direct focus to the foreground content.
Credit: The Fullbright Company. Footage captured by the author.
Use depth of field to evoke:
Mystery.
Example:
When a significant but unknown object or character appears out of focus, leaving its identity temporarily hidden from the player.
However, note that depth of field may obscure areas of interest that players wish to view clearly. For instance, players may want to admire intricate environmental details or spot distant cover during combat. In such cases, artistic blur may hinder gameplay. Therefore, apply this effect judiciously and consider removing it altogether if it detracts from the player experience.
Exposure
Exposure refers to the amount of light received by the player’s camera. It can be automatically adjusted based on ambient light levels.
Reducing exposure can evoke:
Drama.
Example:
When the player is close to death, severely injured, or exposed to high levels of toxins or radiation.
Increasing exposure can evoke:
Drama.
Example:
When the player is momentarily stunned by an explosion or physical impact.
Film Grain
Film grain overlays the image with a layer of noise, enhancing the cinematic appearance of the scene.
Lens Dirt
Lens dirt adds a film of grime or debris to the visual frame, simulating a dirty lens. This effect may enhance realism in action games where the character wears goggles, a helmet visor, or a face shield. However, it may appear unnatural if the player character is not equipped with such gear.
Lens Flare
Lens flare replicates light refractions within a camera lens.
It contributes to a cinematic atmosphere, particularly when used with intense light sources. However, avoid using it with dim lighting, as it may become visually distracting. Lens flare can also amplify the bloom effect, thereby enhancing the intended emotional tone.
During a cutscene in Supraland, blue lights create a noticeable lens flare, reinforcing the cinematic style of the scene.
Credit: Supra Games. Footage captured by the author.
Motion Blur
Motion blur replicates the blurring of fast-moving objects due to high speed or extended exposure time.
Use motion blur to evoke:
Excitement.
Example:
When the player rapidly accelerates while driving a vehicle.
Drama.
Example:
When the player character experiences hallucinations, intoxication, or poisoning in an action sequence.
Keep in mind that full-screen motion blur can degrade the visual clarity of the environment during camera movement, potentially reducing immersion. Therefore, assess carefully whether the effect enhances the gameplay experience before implementing it.
Saturation
Saturation controls the intensity of color in the scene. Lower saturation makes colors appear more muted and gray, while higher saturation results in more vivid and intense hues.
High saturation can evoke:
Hope.
Joy.
Love.
Optimism.
Low saturation can evoke:
Despair.
Grief.
Pessimism.
Loneliness.
The subdued color palette in Gone Home reinforces the atmosphere of loneliness.
Credit: The Fullbright Company. Screenshot captured by the author.
Vignette
Vignette darkens the edges of the screen to draw focus toward the center.
Use vignette to evoke:
Drama.
Example:
When the player is near death due to severe injury or exposure to dangerous conditions.
In Sniper Elite 4, a dark vignette appears at the edges of the screen when the player is critically low on health.
Credit: Rebellion Developments. Footage captured by the author.
White Balance
White balance adjusts the color temperature of the scene, helping achieve warmer or cooler tones depending on the desired mood.
Color Temperature
Adjust the visual tone of the environment by shifting color temperature:
Yellow: Produces a warmer, more comforting feel.
Blue: Produces a cooler, more somber or sterile feel.
In Rogue Legacy 2, the first scene uses a warmer white balance, while another employs a cooler tone for a contrasting atmosphere.
Credit: Cellar Door Games. Screenshots captured by the author.
Tint
Tint alters the overall color of the scene, leaning more toward green or purple hues. You may also use white balance and tint creatively to give the scene an artificial, surreal, or stylized appearance that deviates from realism.