What Are the Top Mistakes to Avoid in Console Casual Game Art Production?

Designing art for console casual games might sound easy, but it has its own challenges. Although casual games are about enjoyable, carefree experiences, their artwork must still hold up to the quality and performance expectations of console platforms such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.

If you develop console games and outsource to casual game art services, don't make some of the basic mistakes, and you'll save time, cash, and make a more successful game. Here are the biggest mistakes and how to steer clear of them explained in simple terms.

1. Forgetting about Console Performance Limitations
Lots of developers believe that casual games don't require optimization. Consoles, though powerful, still have limitations in memory, resolution, and performance.

What to avoid:

Applying overly complicated 3D models or high-resolution textures that have not been optimized
Not verifying how the game performs on actual console hardware
Solution:
Test performance at all times. Hire casual game art services that are familiar with optimizing assets for consoles.

2. Ununiform Art Style
Casual games should be clean and welcoming in their appearance. If your characters, UI, and environments do not share the same style, the game will feel cluttered and amateurish.

What to avoid:

Blending various art styles (e.g., realistic character with cartoon background)
Having multiple artists without specific style guidelines
Solution:
Develop a visual style guide upfront. Distribute it to all, including your casual game art contractor, so the art will be consistent.

3. Overcomplicating the Visuals
Casual games should be simple to play but also easy to comprehend. Complex visuals or effects may confuse players, particularly on console monitors.

What to avoid

Cluttered game screens with too much information
Hard-to-read fonts or ambiguous icons
Solution:
Keep your visuals simple and easy to read. Use colors and shapes that easily depict what's occurring in the game.

4. Bad UI/UX Art Design for Consoles
User interface (UI) in casual games must be extremely simple, particularly on a TV screen or playing with a controller. Most devs simply port mobile layouts to console, which does not work out well.

What to avoid:

Tiny buttons or text that's difficult to read on TV
UI designs not optimized for game controllers
Solution:
Design UI with console gamers in mind. Ensure menus and buttons are large, legible, and easy to use with a controller.

5. Skipping Platform Guidelines
Console platforms like Xbox and PlayStation have certain guidelines for game art, including resolution, frame rate, and file formats. Skipping these can cause game approval to be delayed or result in rework.

What not to do:

Not adhering to platform-specific art asset specifications
Sending wrong formats or poorly optimized textures
Solution:
Adhere to official console game specs at all times. Consult console game development specialists who are experienced with each platform's guidelines.

6. No Localization Planning
If you will be selling your game globally, your art will need to be compatible with multiple languages and cultures.

What not to do:

Text integrated into images, where translation becomes difficult
Visually or symbolically unacceptable to other cultures
Solution:
Create UI and visuals that can easily be modified across regions. Separate text from art files whenever possible.

7. Inadequate Communication with Art Team
Lack of proper communication by a casual game art services provider while outsourcing will cause delays, rework, or mismatched expectations.

What to avoid:

Providing unclear feedback
Failure to regularly review work
Solution:
Stay connected to your art team. Utilize tools such as Trello or Slack. Provide good references and request updates regularly.

8. Forget the Target Audience
Children, families, and non-gamers are often the casual game audience. If your artwork is too complicated or dark, they might not enjoy it.

What to avoid:
Designing characters or environments that appear too serious or terrifying
Implementing complicated colors or bewildering animations
Solution:
Keep your audience in mind. Incorporate bright, cheerful imagery that makes the game seem fun and accessible.

Final Thoughts

Making fantastic art for casual console games isn't necessarily about making good-looking pictures—it's about making pictures that are optimized, consistent, and easy to understand.

Whether you have an internal team or are outsourcing to a casual game art provider, remember these common mistakes while going through your console game development process.

By avoiding these mistakes, you get to launch earlier, wow players, and comply with platform requirements without incurring unnecessary time or expenses.