Game concept art books are an eye-catching utopia for anybody who has ever drooled over a game’s looks. In these books, you can see the incredible art that goes into making your favourite virtual worlds come to life.
We’re talking about rough sketches all the way up to finished works of characters, monsters, weapons, and settings that will boggle your mind. Though this one’s all about the games you love, it’s like having a backstage ticket to the hippest art exhibit in town.
The best part is that these books aren’t just for looking at pretty pictures, even though that’s a big part of the fun. In fact, artists can use them to improve their skills, game designers can use them to get ideas, and fans can use them to go back in time and learn more about their favourite game worlds.
The Best Game Concept Art Books to Own
Now is the time to go through all the best game concepts art book.
1- The Art of Horizon Forbidden West
This book features the amazing concept artwork for Horizon Forbidden West, the follow-up to Horizon Zero Dawn. Published by Dark Horse, this big 224-page hardback creates a distinctive post-apocalyptic universe by fusing sci-fi and fantasy components with tribal sensibilities.
The book is filled with detailed images of people, settings, and animals, giving fans and creators a thorough look into the game’s visual evolution.
2- The Art of Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
This striking art book lets you see behind the scenes of Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, thereby peeking beneath the hood of the game’s graphic production. It is full of beautiful concept art that brings Victorian London to life, from dirty areas to fancy neighbourhoods.
The book shows how the artists created a recognisable but fictional world by fusing the game’s unique look with historical realism. Although it’s a feast for the eyes, certain fans—especially with regard to character designs and backstory—may be left seeking more.
3- Nioh & Nioh 2
Seriously, this art book is a great trove for Nioh fans! This beast, which runs 304 pages, is crammed with eye candy from both games. You have everything from amazing character, monster, and environmental renderings to crude doodles. This is really great work done by the people at Udon Entertainment.
What’s great is that the personalities, sites, and even the weapons and armour include plenty of interesting information rather than simply beautiful images. It’s like having a behind-the-scenes tour of the Nioh world!
4- The Art of Skulls and Bones
Fans of the Skulls & Bones game will find a true treasure in this artbook. It is full of beautiful concept art that brings the exciting world of pirates to life in rich detail.
This book offers a visual trip through the evolution of the game, from gritty character designs that seem like they could walk straight off the page to amazing settings that’ll let you feel the sea spray on your face. With every brushstroke, the painters put their heart and soul into clearly generating a world as rich and deep as a pirate’s hidden treasure.
5- The Art of God of War Ragnarok
“The Art of God of War Ragnarok” is a powerful piece of visual storytelling that will make you want more. Incredible concept art fills this massive 240-page hardback, giving new life to the Norse mythological universe.
Every page is a visual treat, with beloved characters like Odin and Thor getting new interpretations and fan favourites like Kratos and Atreus making triumphant returns. This time, the artists at Santa Monica Studio have really outdone themselves. They’ve made an amazing array of character designs, settings, and 3D sculpts with so much detail that it will make your mind spin.
6- The Art of Halo Infinite
If you’re crazy about how beautiful Halo Infinite looks, “The Art of Halo Infinite” is like hitting the prize. There are 200 pages of stunning concept art in this book that will definitely make your head drop.
It has everything in this book, from strong aliens to fierce Spartans, high-tech gadgets to mind-blowing scenery. The performers really hit it out of the park, allowing us to see behind the scenes how they created the amazing appearance of the game. Sure, it’s a little short on the wordy sections, but let’s be honest: we’re here for the beautiful photos.
7- Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers - The Art of Reflection
Both gamers and art buffs will find “Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers – The Art of Reflection” to be a wonderful page-turner. All the gorgeous pictures from the hit MMORPG expansion have been packed into one big 304-page book.
It has everything from amazing settings to interesting character designs to let your creativity go wild. You may be tempted to frame the very lovely full-page images! Watching it is like getting a tour of the game’s world without having to wait for long opening screens. Also, the beautiful artwork largely compensates for the lack of content. This type of book will have you repeating “just one more page” until you discover you have been looking at it for hours.
8- The Art of Far Cry 6
The Art of Far Cry 6 is like a love letter to the astonishing graphics of the game. Think about this: 216 pages of absolutely perfect visual pleasure that will carry you right to the core of Yara’s revolution and stunning concept art that will make you feel as if you are there in the middle of the action bursts from the margins.
Beautiful tropical settings and grizzled guerilla soldiers dominate every page. Indeed, in writing, it’s not exactly talkative, but who needs words when the images tell volumes? As they say, a picture’s value exceeds a thousand words, and this book has enough striking artwork to create a full damned novel!
9- The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy: Expanded Edition
“The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy: Expanded Edition” is a beautiful throwback that will make series fans very happy. Step into the past with this robust 264-page book that transports you to the peak of Commander Shepard’s trips.
This book is packed with beautiful concept art from all three games, plus some extra DLC items for good measure. Even if some of the 2012 book’s repeated material annoys old-timers, there is still enough of new visual candy to take in, particularly from Mass Effect 3.
The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy has it all, from sophisticated rockets to otherworldly planets that will leave you in awe. See the Mass Effect world as you would on a guided tour—only without the Reaper invasions!
10- The Art of the Ghost of Tsushima
To say that “The Art of Ghost of Tsushima” is a visual treat would be an understatement. This 208-page book features stunning concept art that will transport you to old Japan. It also features beautiful pictures of Tsushima and samurai gear that will make you want to lace up your sword.
The artisans really demonstrated their skills with very intricate work that would make you drool. The printing does, however, somewhat put a wrench in the system. Unfortunately, the paper they used doesn’t show off those juicy shadow features very well. It’s like trying to enjoy a masterwork through a filthy window!
Why Game Concept Art Books Are Important for Artists?
Concept art books provide more than just beautiful dust collectors. Your secret weapon for improving your art game and opening doors in the business is them. Some other benefits of game concept art include:
- Like seeing behind the curtain: If you want to know how magic works, these books are your key. You get to see the untidy drawings, the wild ideas that fell short, and how things developed into the final masterpiece.
- Improve your skills: Are you looking for ways to make a character look strong or make a world where people will get lost? These books walk you through the trade’s techniques. You will see artists at work as they solve issues, create moods with colour, and give voice to ideas.
- An abundance of inspiration: Feeling mired in complexity? Flip among one of these books, and BAM! Fresh thoughts will flood your head. It will spark your creativity like a shot of creative espresso.
- Develop your art vocabulary: You will improve at discussing the work you see. These volumes teach how to identify trends and jargon. You will sound like you know your business next time you are in an interview!
- This is a time machine: some of these books show the changes in game art throughout time. It’s cool to see where we’ve been and where we might be going.
How to Use Game Concept Art Books for Skill Development?
There are many different ways to use concepts in art books to your advantage, and here we will mention some important ones
1- Deconstruct Character Designs
Let’s say you’re flipping through “The Art of God of War Ragnarök”. Pick Kratos. Sketch his buff silhouette, note his Spartan-style armour, jot down the earthy colour palette, and zoom in on that sweet beard and red tattoo.
Steps:
- Pick a character you love from the book.
- Grab a sheet of paper and divide it into sections: silhouette, costume, colour palette, and details.
- Sketch the character’s basic silhouette.
- List out key costume elements.
- Make a colour swatch of the main colours used.
- Zoom in on cool details like jewellery or scars.
2. Environment Breakdown Challenge
Grab “The Art of Halo Infinite.” Pick a sprawling alien landscape. Sketch the basic shapes and list out stuff like alien trees, crashed spaceships, and distant mountains. See how they use size and detail to create depth and how that big alien sun casts shadows.
Steps:
- Choose a complex environment piece.
- Set a timer for 5 minutes.
- Quickly sketch the basic composition.
- List out all the elements you can spot.
- Note how depth is created (foreground, midground, background).
- Identify the main light source and how it affects the scene.
3. Color Palette Extraction
In “The Art of Mass Effect Trilogy”, you might find a tech-heavy piece with lots of blues and silvers, creating a cool, futuristic vibe. Then, contrast that with a jungle world full of greens and browns for a more organic feel.
Steps:
- Pick five different artworks from the book.
- Use a colour picker tool (or your eyes) to identify the main 4-5 colours used in each.
- Create small colour swatches for each palette.
- Write a brief description of the mood each palette creates.
- Try using these palettes in your quick sketches.
4. Weekly Style Study
In Week 1, you might study the bold lines and vibrant colours of an artist in “The Art of Cuphead.” In Week 2, switch to the moody, atmospheric style of an artist from “The Art of Bloodborne.”
Steps:
- Pick an artist featured in the book.
- Analyse their style: line work, shading technique, colour use, etc.
- Try to recreate a small portion of their work.
- Do a quick original sketch in their style.
- Repeat with a new artist each week.
5. Prop Design Challenge
Examine the homemade weapons in “The Art of the Last of Us.” See how they savagely use commonplace items. Then, create your post-apocalyptic weapon using materials you could find in your kitchen.
Steps:
- Find a section on weapons or items in the book.
- Analyse how they fit the game’s world and style.
- List out key design elements (shape language, materials, etc.).
- Design your prop that would fit in the same world.
- Get feedback from art friends or online communities.
6. Storytelling Through Art Analysis
Look at a character design from “The Art of Elden Ring”. The character’s battered armour, grim expression, and otherworldly weapon all tell a story. Jot down what you think their backstory might be based just on the visual clues.
Steps:
- Choose a character or environment piece.
- Write down what you can infer about the story just from the image.
- Note specific visual elements that convey story information.
- Compare your interpretations with the actual game lore.
- Practice adding story elements to your art.
Top Game Concept Art Books for Specific Genres
Here’s a table showcasing some specialty game concept art books for specific game genres:
Genre | Book Title | Book Title | Pages | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fantasy RPG | “The Art of Skyrim” | Dark Horse | 200 | Nordic-inspired landscapes, mythical creatures |
Sci-Fi FPS | “The Art of Halo Infinite” | Dark Horse | 200 | Futuristic weapons, alien environments |
Post-Apocalyptic | “The Art of Fallout 4” | Dark Horse | 368 | Retro-futuristic designs, wasteland aesthetics |
Horror | “The Art of Dead Space” | Titan Books | 192 | Creepy alien designs, claustrophobic spaceship interiors |
Cyberpunk | “The Art of Cyberpunk 2077” | Dark Horse | 192 | Neon-lit cityscapes, high-tech augmentations |
Historical Action | “The Art of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” | Dark Horse | 200 | Viking-era clothing, weapons, and architecture |
Fighting | “The Art of Street Fighter” | Udon | 448 | Character designs, special move illustrations |
Platformer | “The Art of Cuphead” | Dark Horse | 264 | 1930s cartoon-inspired characters and backgrounds |
How to Use Game Concept Art Books as a Creative Resource
Let’s learn how you can squeeze every drop of creative juice out of those game concept art books. Here’s a down-to-earth guide on using them as a killer resource:
1. Mood Board Madness
Have you ever felt stuck on a project? Here’s how to kickstart your creativity:
- Grab your favourite concept art book. Let’s say it’s “The Art of Cyberpunk 2077”.
- Flip through and find 5-10 images that really grab you.
- Cut ’em out (if you’re brave), or snap some pics with your phone.
- Slap these bad boys onto a corkboard or create a digital collage.
- Boom! You’ve got yourself a mood board to spark ideas for your next project.
For example, you might pick out some neon-lit cityscapes, funky character designs, and sleek weapon concepts. This visual buffet can inspire anything from a short story to a painting or even a cosplay outfit.
2. Style Study Bootcamp
Want to level up your art skills? Try this:
- Pick an artist from the book whose style you dig.
- Spend 15 minutes really analysing their work. How do they use lines? What’s their colour palette like?
- Now, set a timer for 30 minutes and try to recreate a small part of their work.
- The next day, do a quick original sketch using their style.
- Repeat with a different artist each week.
Say you’re into “The Art of Hollow Knight.” Week 1, you might study Team Cherry’s dreamy, hand-drawn style. Week 2, switch it up with the bold, graphic style from “The Art of Cuphead.”.
3. World-Building Workout
Do you have a story brewing in your mind? Here’s how to flesh it out:
- Choose a concept art book with a world you love. “The Art of God of War” is a great pick.
- Pick three environment pieces and three character designs.
- For each piece, write down five story elements it suggests. What kind of people live here? What conflicts might arise?
- Use these as prompts to write a short scene or sketch a new character for your world.
- Rinse and repeat with different books to keep your creative muscles flexed.
For instance, a gloomy, ruins-filled landscape from God of War might inspire you to create a post-apocalyptic version of your hometown. Or a fearsome monster design could spark ideas for a creature in your own fantasy story.
Where to Buy Game Concept Art Books?
You can discover game concept art books in many different spots, whether you’re browsing online or exploring in person. It’s a great idea to begin with popular online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Book Depository. They usually offer a wide variety of options and good prices!
If you’re on the lookout for specialised or rare books, consider exploring gaming-focused online stores like Udon Entertainment or Cook & Becker. They often have some fantastic limited-edition art books available! Remember to check out your local bookshops as well; you could be pleasantly surprised by what they have to offer, plus you can peruse the books before making a purchase.
Here’s a quick bullet-point list of places to buy game concept art books:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Book Depository
- Udon Entertainment
- Cook & Becker
- Local bookstores
- Comic book shops
- Game stores (like GameStop)
- AbeBooks (for second-hand copies)
- ThriftBooks (for used books)
- eBay (especially for out-of-print or rare editions)
- Direct from game publishers’ websites
- Specialty art book stores
- Convention merchandise booths
- Digital versions on platforms like Kindle or Google Books
Last Words
Concept art books for video games are more than simply decorative accents; they’re doors to a world of limitless imagination and knowledge. These books are pure gold for anyone who wants to improve their art, feel more inspired while making games, or just learn more about their favourite digital worlds. The options are as endless as your mind. You can break down character designs, study colour choices, make mood boards, or come up with your ideas for making worlds. Take a book, open it, and let your mind wander. Who knows? There could be the next big idea for a game in those pages, just waiting for you to make it happen.
