I'm an artist & I'm OBSESSED with video game concept art. Someday I wanna draw and design characters and environments for games that are both unique and original. That's my dream.
Appreciate the love for your favorite game developers here, but please don't make videos like this till you research what a "concept artist" is. It misleads people about what concept artists actually do.
@@tcrpgfan Concepts artists' work doesn't get directly implemented into the game... that's done by, to give an example, 3d modellers that translate the concepts into 3d.
Yoshitaka Amano has some of the most beautiful art I have ever seen. Its dynamic and smooth in its design and brilliant in its execution. Each stroke of the brush flows like magic.
Coming from someone who actually works in the industry, you couldn't have fucked up more on a video. This should just be called Watchmojo's favorite Japanese game artists(and remember some of these people don't even design, they just take designer's work and turn them into marketing illustrations). This just further shows how little people actually understand what concept art really is.
Co-sign. I was watching this and thinking the same thing. This really shows they did ZERO research and like you said don't understand what concept art is. I can name professional game concept artist who are here on youtube that they could have listed. Like Trent Kaniuga, Jomaro Kindred, Marco Nelor, Feng Zhu(even though he retired)). And that's just a few.
Exactly man it's totally baised towards Japanese games and most of the guys in the lust aren't concept artist they are game developer and gane designers. They left the best guys out.
Rob Brown I guess the guys you mentioned all have a somehow fotorealistic art style while those on this list all have a very unique style of art and influenced the industry with it.
I don't recall any of these guys truly spearheading legendary franchises except Mullins. The rest have too many others to credit or have only relatively recently gained notoriety.
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I think Akiman should have been another honorable mention. He might not be everyone's cup of tea, but he certainly does bring a uniqueness to his designs. Especially his work on Darkstalkers.
Laurence Hammond No. She did seem indifferent about me wanting to do my presentation on a video game artist though. That is until I showed her his work. She gave me an A.
Masahiro Ito should've definitely been on here, his work is beyond iconic. His work in Silent Hill 2 is what pushed that game to the front of horror games, and set a whole new standard for them. His characters and art style are immediately recognizable - terrifying and beautiful all at once. I'm late getting into the franchise, but he's absolutely amazing ! !
I'm so happy John Sweeney made it onto this list, he's one of the best artists in the industry. One question, where my boy Maciej Kuciara at? He's an actual god at concept art
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you guys added Blue Dragon in the description but not in the video... :c i really like blue dragon (i'm still glad you guys know what it is though lol)
Shigenori Soejima, as far as I know, wasn't directly involved with Persona until Persona 3, P1 and P2 had art of Kazuma Kaneko who designed over 400 demons in the SMT series and the characters.
I completely agree with this list! Although most well known concept artist nowadays - many mention in the comments - have indeed contributed to the industry of videogames, most of them where tribute after the well know Japanese character creators like Amano, Toryiama or Yoji Shinkawa made a huge impact! Their work influenced not only other artist but other videogames that's why they're on the list.
I would definitely pick Yoshitaka Amano over Tetsuya Nomura if only one could make it to the list since they're both known for the Final Fantasy series, but I would've give him a spot as well if I could. They're both my role models and I deeply admire them both.
When I saw this list, it just inspired me to continue to create ideas for my own games and draw more art work. Given I'm only 14, my dream will come true with a amazing group backing me up.
I appreciate a video solely focused on Concept artists, but I think that mostly attributing the visual success of a video game to a single concept artist really underplays the tremendous effort of 3DArtists - Character, Environment, and VFX, to help create something unique and breathtaking. I can assure you that Last of Us' beautiful environments are greatly in part of the prowess of the environment artists, painted rendition of an already realistic scene in game. I think people really misunderstand what a concept artist does - though to be fair, their role can be different studio to studio.
This was a video that I didn't know I was waiting for!! But among all these incredible talents, how come you didn't even mention Andy Park?! Ok, yes, he's working with Marvel Studios right now, but the God of War franchise was created through his visions, not solely though... . I guess I understand why you did not mention him, but if you make another video with the same topic but in the movie industry, he must be at least honorably mentioned! :)
Some of the artists I would have liked to see make the list are Paul Richards, Sergey Kolesov, Daniel Dociu, Maciej Kuciara, Matt Rhodes, Andrew Jones, Kekai Kotaki, Raphael Lacoste...
Although Yoshitaka Amano (#1 on this list) provided the initial concept of many Final Fantasy characters, it was Tetsuya Nomura's (Honorable Mention on this list) art style that was in the final products (starting from FFVII) because they could convert better to 3D in-game models in comparison to Amano's style which was too abstract. To players like myself who started from FFVII and played the Kingdom Hearts games, Tetsuya Nomura will always be the #1 game artist.
I'm never gonna look pass the six faces Akira Toriyama keeps drawing, especially for Chrono Trigger. Might as well call it Dragon Trigger. I bet if Nomura drew their faces, everyone would hate CT to the point of nitpicking the story. Ironically, he seems to vary a bit better in later Dragon Quest games.
where is Georges Kamitani??? He's just so amazing... You could have mentioned Kimihiko Fujisaka too... And Yoji Shinkawa will always be my #1 guy. Always.
Hidetaka Miyazaki its not a concept artist in the souls saga, its a director, this means that he choose between all the designs of the concept artist staff, in order to give coherence to the game, this also includes make decisions about game design mechanics and the story of course, all this to achieve his particular vision of the game.
I'm an artist & I'm OBSESSED with video game concept art. Someday I wanna draw and design characters and environments for games that are both unique and original. That's my dream.
Appreciate the love for your favorite game developers here, but please don't make videos like this till you research what a "concept artist" is. It misleads people about what concept artists actually do.
a trick: watch series on Flixzone. Been using them for watching loads of movies recently.
@Bobby Turner yea, I've been watching on flixzone for months myself :D
@Bobby Turner definitely, have been watching on flixzone for years myself :D
@Bobby Turner yup, I've been using Flixzone for years myself =)
It's Nice to see you don't educate on what real Concept art is, ONLY in your videos! Your Channel rocks bro!
Why so much gameplay footage? I came for concept artists and their art, not footage of what games they worked on...
Because their art was actually featured in-game.
@@tcrpgfan Concepts artists' work doesn't get directly implemented into the game... that's done by, to give an example, 3d modellers that translate the concepts into 3d.
Kazuma Kaneko's work on the Shin Megami Tensei series is hauntingly beautiful.
Very true.
No Masahiro Ito from Silent Hill 2+3...created icon Red Pyramid for a start.
Neil Taylor I waited the whole video for him and he wasn't even a honorable mention...
Yes his Francis Bacon esque work is amazing. What a disappointment he isnt on the list.
Yoshitaka Amano has some of the most beautiful art I have ever seen. Its dynamic and smooth in its design and brilliant in its execution. Each stroke of the brush flows like magic.
Coming from someone who actually works in the industry, you couldn't have fucked up more on a video. This should just be called Watchmojo's favorite Japanese game artists(and remember some of these people don't even design, they just take designer's work and turn them into marketing illustrations). This just further shows how little people actually understand what concept art really is.
Ikr Miyazaki is not a concept artist wtf
Co-sign. I was watching this and thinking the same thing. This really shows they did ZERO research and like you said don't understand what concept art is. I can name professional game concept artist who are here on youtube that they could have listed. Like Trent Kaniuga, Jomaro Kindred, Marco Nelor, Feng Zhu(even though he retired)). And that's just a few.
The Bengus entry was so inaccurate I can only assume the rest of the entries on this list are just as ill-informed.
@ContraChaos I'd like to know as well..
Yoji Shinkawa is amazing and my favourite concept artist. So glad he's gonna be involved in Death Stranding.
Also he's also working on another game called Left Alive, and the illustrations so far look great.
Silent Hill's Masahiro Ito would've been in my list.
You forgot to mention: Graig Mullins - James Paik - Patrick Faulwetter - Feng Zhu - Kekai Kotaki - Sparth
Exactly man it's totally baised towards Japanese games and most of the guys in the lust aren't concept artist they are game developer and gane designers. They left the best guys out.
Rob Brown
I guess the guys you mentioned all have a somehow fotorealistic art style while those on this list all have a very unique style of art and influenced the industry with it.
I don't recall any of these guys truly spearheading legendary franchises except Mullins. The rest have too many others to credit or have only relatively recently gained notoriety.
The only one worth mentioning in your list is Craig mullins. Everyone else is just mid tier at best.
hepzibah are you trolling? you're very wrong if you're not. do research.
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Mutsumi Inomata, Kousuke Fujishima, Kazuto Nakazawa, and Daigo Okumura. The people than work on the Tales Franchise.
So happy to see John Sweeney here, he deserves a lot more recognition.
That's my dream! To become a video game concept artist! 😄👊🏾 I'll make it and be famous! Believe it!
you got deviantart?
Noktis_Sama Mine too! Specifically in character design! I'm just now learning digital art so I doubt it'll happen but I can dream. 😅
Care to describe your art style!
Like how is your style different from others
gothrose221 I'm still developing my art style but I'll make it!
steve exe ru I've got an Instagram page called art_of _fantasy_guardian
Would've used Akiman over Bengus but Capcom has had many amazing concept artists. Especially Kinu Nishimura, Ikeno and later Shinkiro.
Kinu definitely, but bengus has been more consistent.
My Favourite Concept Artist are Tetsuya Nomura and I wanna become successful like him and better!😄👊🏾
you're a designer?
steve exe ru not yet but I'm hoping to be but I'll make it!😄
+Noktis_Sama I'm working on a Half-Life mod, wish me luck!
Amano is soooooo much better.
+1
I think Akiman should have been another honorable mention. He might not be everyone's cup of tea, but he certainly does bring a uniqueness to his designs. Especially his work on Darkstalkers.
I did a biography report on Yoshitaka Amano in my high school art class.
Did your teacher know of him?
Laurence Hammond No. She did seem indifferent about me wanting to do my presentation on a video game artist though. That is until I showed her his work. She gave me an A.
Preston Dixon Oh well that's a shame. Yoshitaka Amano deserves his work to be known to every other artist. Well done for getting an A though
+Preston Dixon get an S+
I am happy to see some artists getting some recognition, good job mate.
YES! Amano is the best of the best in his field!!
I'm happy you put my MAIN INFLUENCE: Shingenori Soejima as an Honorable Mention. THANK YOU~
Wow! This channel is fantastic with very good contend
GREAT list!
Yoji Shinkawa is probably my favorite on this list. His art is so unique and beautiful, and contributes to one of my favorite game series ever.
This was a really good list.
Miyazaki doesn't actually draw the art.
I had a feeling the artist for Persona would at least be an honorable mention and I was right! :)
Masahiro Ito should've definitely been on here, his work is beyond iconic. His work in Silent Hill 2 is what pushed that game to the front of horror games, and set a whole new standard for them. His characters and art style are immediately recognizable - terrifying and beautiful all at once. I'm late getting into the franchise, but he's absolutely amazing ! !
Yep, this list is pretty much spot on.
Yey mr. Persona designer is here :D
I'm so happy John Sweeney made it onto this list, he's one of the best artists in the industry. One question, where my boy Maciej Kuciara at? He's an actual god at concept art
Great list
Yay! They mentioned all my favourites, even if some were just honourable mentions.
you guys should remaster this video. it's such a gem.
Concept art... where crazy imagination and godlike talent go hand by hand.
No Toshiaki Mori AKA Shinkiro, his illustrations for SNK, Capcom, and Marvel are nothing short of a masterpiece
Glad to see Amano as number one!
someone at this channel really likes anime...
good list!
Hidetaka Miyazaki is not a concept artist, he's a programmer and director.
What about Viktor Antonov? He worked on HL2 and Dishonored! Not even a honorable mention?? :C
In case you were wondering how the Mojoholics voted in our poll, see the votes and entries here:
watchmojo.com/suggest/Top+10+Video+Game+Concept+Artists
Head to www.WatchMojo.com/suggest to sign up and contribute to future lists, suggest Top 10 ideas and vote on your peers’ ideas! Note that Viewer votes are just one of the hundreds of data points and variables that we look at when we create our lists.
you guys added Blue Dragon in the description but not in the video... :c i really like blue dragon (i'm still glad you guys know what it is though lol)
Very inaccurate video
whoever does the concept art for dice is one of the best imo
Shigenori Soejima, as far as I know, wasn't directly involved with Persona until Persona 3, P1 and P2 had art of Kazuma Kaneko who designed over 400 demons in the SMT series and the characters.
Love this I hope one day I could get a chance to become a concept artist for some badass video games!
>Soejima
>not Kaneko
I am midly annoyed.
Seriously. I like both artists, but Kaneko's art is much more artistic and unique than Soejima's which feels a bit more generic.
And here I thought I'd be the only one who wants to write that comment. ;u; While I loose my special snowflake status, I'm happy I'm not alone.
there's also the fact that Kaneko himself did a lot of the designs in Persona and Soejima only drew the art for the game.
Also the fact that Kaneko helped co-found Atlus and pretty much was a major hand in creating the entire Megaten franchise.
+Dustyolbones Not to mention the fact he designed over 400 demons and all look unique.
I completely agree with this list!
Although most well known concept artist nowadays - many mention in the comments - have indeed contributed to the industry of videogames, most of them where tribute after the well know Japanese character creators like Amano, Toryiama or Yoji Shinkawa made a huge impact! Their work influenced not only other artist but other videogames that's why they're on the list.
Kazumo Kaneko of Shin Megami Tensei creating the original designs of all the demons featured in the series who helmed the Shin Megami Tensei Legacy,
My most favorite topic yet.
Great choice with Amano! Love his arts.
shouldhave shown off final fantasy 4's concept art, there is some truely beautiful stuff there
I would definitely pick Yoshitaka Amano over Tetsuya Nomura if only one could make it to the list since they're both known for the Final Fantasy series, but I would've give him a spot as well if I could. They're both my role models and I deeply admire them both.
Was hoping to see Kazuma Kaneko... But ok, it's a good list.
When I saw this list, it just inspired me to continue to create ideas for my own games and draw more art work. Given I'm only 14, my dream will come true with a amazing group backing me up.
I like the Hippopotamass drawing at 4:20 ;-)
Amano will be always the best!
Too much love to this video 👍👍👍👍
Shouldn't bioshock artist be on the list?bioshock design was awesome
Same with Dead Space.
Dead space disign is ripoff from system shock.So no,he should not be on the list
+Kutikylia You're pretty lost if you think that a necromorph is visually similar to any character in SS2
@@americanzero hahahahahahaaha no
They are basically getting paid for fanart and character design requests before the game comes out.
My dreamjob.
Great!
Watchmojo really loves the classics haha, so many classics.
I love Ayami's art!Every artist has their own style but I would love my style to be like her's!I'm light years away tho...
Rockstar's concept artists are pretty good too.
hell nah
Specially the artists tha tmade Shark cards /s
Kojima designed Castlevania and Metal Gear?? Konami were fools to let her go after MGS5!
him
They're 2 completely different people Ayami Kojima was only on Castlevania Hideo Kojima is MGS
I think you're thinking of Hideo Kojima, not Ayami Kojima, they're not related just have the same last name
Lucas Besfonc No you're confusing Konami for Kojima the director was Eric Alvarez
Kojima didn't want to work on Metal Gear anymore though.
I appreciate a video solely focused on Concept artists, but I think that mostly attributing the visual success of a video game to a single concept artist really underplays the tremendous effort of 3DArtists - Character, Environment, and VFX, to help create something unique and breathtaking. I can assure you that Last of Us' beautiful environments are greatly in part of the prowess of the environment artists, painted rendition of an already realistic scene in game. I think people really misunderstand what a concept artist does - though to be fair, their role can be different studio to studio.
What about Suzuhito Yasuda who created characters from the Devil Survivor series and Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth?
His art is pretty generic. Nothing much sets him apart from other Japanese artists, other than his awful misproportions.
Toriyama is a master of art now he live un our Hearts rest in peace Akira Toriyama.
This was a video that I didn't know I was waiting for!! But among all these incredible talents, how come you didn't even mention Andy Park?! Ok, yes, he's working with Marvel Studios right now, but the God of War franchise was created through his visions, not solely though... . I guess I understand why you did not mention him, but if you make another video with the same topic but in the movie industry, he must be at least honorably mentioned! :)
>No mention of Kaneko Kazuma
C'mon man.
Some of the artists I would have liked to see make the list are Paul Richards, Sergey Kolesov, Daniel Dociu, Maciej Kuciara, Matt Rhodes, Andrew Jones, Kekai Kotaki, Raphael Lacoste...
Daisuke Ishiwatari and Joe Madureira got my honorable mentions.
it's times like this that makes me wanna draw again
thank god that Tetsuya Nomura it's on the honorable mentions
Akira Toriyama was also an artist for video game blue dragon for XBOX 360
He also designed the characters from Dragonquest.
Havy you played the new part on the PS4?
Matt Rhodes, lead concept artist at bioware has some pretty amazing stuff. Give him a look for another list like this in the future
Tetsura Nomura only an honorable mention?? Hmmm but Yoshitaka at number 1 so I can deal with it
Nomura is nowhere as good as Amano.
blackconvoy Lol I know I just have a personal preference of Nomura's artwork his is my favorite
An elephant painting with his trunk is better than Amano.
Their names hard to remember.............. But i like the soul series art artist
I adore ayami kojima artistry very much :)
They should've shown Shinkawa's art for Zone of the Enders. Stellar.
saw Yoji shinkawa art...instantly clicked the video
Akira Toriyama :D
Although Yoshitaka Amano (#1 on this list) provided the initial concept of many Final Fantasy characters, it was Tetsuya Nomura's (Honorable Mention on this list) art style that was in the final products (starting from FFVII) because they could convert better to 3D in-game models in comparison to Amano's style which was too abstract. To players like myself who started from FFVII and played the Kingdom Hearts games, Tetsuya Nomura will always be the #1 game artist.
This is why I buy Video game art books.
Though Amano's style may not be my favorite I am glad he took the 1st spot. He truly deserves it.
I'm never gonna look pass the six faces Akira Toriyama keeps drawing, especially for Chrono Trigger. Might as well call it Dragon Trigger. I bet if Nomura drew their faces, everyone would hate CT to the point of nitpicking the story.
Ironically, he seems to vary a bit better in later Dragon Quest games.
where is Georges Kamitani??? He's just so amazing... You could have mentioned Kimihiko Fujisaka too...
And Yoji Shinkawa will always be my #1 guy. Always.
I found the timing of this quite comical since I'm starting a Masters in Concept Art for Games and Animation XD
must be included Darksiders Series, now JoeMad is working in this RPG game Nigthwar, his concept art and comic art is amazing.
I'd add Takeshi Oga, he did the vast majority of designs for Gravity Rush and has a very distinct taste and style.
Sees Solid Snake, Instant click
I like Joe Mad on Darksiders and Tetauya Nomura on Kingdom Hearts
Wished you'd put Vanillaware in there *w*
the gameplay may be simple but ohhhhhh boy, talk about moving art!
Yoji Shinkawa will always be my favorite! I hate that he didn't do the cover for Phantom Pain
Good 1 and 2 pick.
Needs Masahiro Ito from Silent Hill.
What about the artists from "Retro Studios"? the Metroid prime games had beautiful art designs.
That wasn't just begus art, that was mixed artists
Excellent for #1 place
capcom artists = Kinu Nishimura , AKIMAN
Hidetaka Miyazaki its not a concept artist in the souls saga, its a director, this means that he choose between all the designs of the concept artist staff, in order to give coherence to the game, this also includes make decisions about game design mechanics and the story of course, all this to achieve his particular vision of the game.
I wish Ken Sugimori helped with Fossil Fighters. It might have made the series more popular.