From shifting markets and technological evolutions, to creative aspirations and personal-professional goals, take a look inside our VP, Global Head of Art, Paul Houlders’ crystal ball for 2025.
Looking back on 2024, what were your highlights within the Games industry?
Another year has flown by, and as always, the Games industry has been shaped by remarkable technological advancements, creative breakthroughs, and shifting market dynamics. A standout moment for me this year was the release of Unreal Engine 5.5, packed with exciting new features. At the top of my list is Megalights. While still in its beta stage, this feature promises to revolutionize the way Unreal worlds and characters are lit, setting the stage for even more visually stunning and immersive experiences in the future
What major trends do you foresee shaping the Games industry in 2025?
Artificial intelligence continues to be a game-changer, particularly in enhancing non-playable characters (NPCs) to create more immersive and dynamic experiences. AI will enable personalized gameplay through customized storylines and adaptive difficulty levels, tailoring experiences to individual players, imagine a game where AI can read your facial emotions and react accordingly! Another trend that shows no signs of slowing, is the widespread adoption of Unreal Engine as the engine of choice for many developers. Over the past year, we’ve seen major studios like Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) and Crystal Dynamics transition from their proprietary engines to Unreal, solidifying its dominance in the industry. Lastly, an aging demographic of gamers will drive demand for content that reflects their evolving interests, moving beyond the traditional focus on action and RPG titles. I wouldn’t be surprised if, “Where’s My Pipe and Slippers?” becomes the surprise hit of ’25!
As our Global Head of Art, how do you maintain inspiration and creativity in such as fast-paced industry?
- Investing in personal growth means immersing myself in creative and diverse sources beyond the realm of games. This includes exploring trends and innovations in cinema, theatre, architecture, art galleries, technology, and more. Great ideas often come from the most unexpected places and people, and staying curious about these fields can spark fresh inspiration.
- Equally important is fostering a culture of collaboration. I learned long ago that creating great game art is far bigger than any one individual—no single person can know everything about delivering outstanding results. Building an environment where colleagues can freely share ideas, techniques, and brainstorm while thinking outside the box is essential for generating innovative concepts.
What can we hope to see from Technicolor Games in 2025?
Like many businesses, Technicolor Games has faced its share of challenges over the past year. Despite this, we’ve remained buoyant and committed to developing and training our team to prepare them for what lies ahead. Without giving too much away, we’ve focused on upskilling and cross-skilling, and invested in developing new soft skills. At the same time, we’ve kept a close eye on industry trends to ensure we stay aligned with the evolving landscape—and, where possible, get ahead of the curve.
What’s a New Year’s resolution you have for yourself professionally?
2024 has been a busy year, and with 2025 shaping up to be even more demanding, my resolution is to ensure that both myself and my team remain at the forefront of the game development service industry. I’ll focus on embracing emerging technologies to streamline our daily tasks, boost creativity, and improve efficiency.
What advice would you give to new 2025 entrants into the Games industry?
If you’re looking to enter the Games industry as an artist, building a strong foundation in traditional art is crucial for long-term success. Recently, I’ve noticed that many students graduating from game-focused programs at universities and colleges tend to prioritize learning software tools to achieve their results. While this is important, many of them lack core art skills such as color theory, life drawing, human anatomy, etc.
When I started in the industry years ago, aspiring artists typically came from a traditional art background or had dedicated time to mastering these fundamental principles. Unfortunately, this is no longer appears to be the case, and the resulting gap in foundational knowledge is creating a bottleneck in career development. These basics are needed now more than ever to help individual artists grow and advance.
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