Modularity in creating 3D game environments

In the game industry, environment artists hold a specialized role in that they must understand how to best combine visual fidelity with performance and high-volume productivity. Modularity is a powerful tool in environment art, unlocking the potential of artists who can create more assets in less time. In addition, teams benefit from the flexibility and rapid iteration afforded by working with modular assets. Though exact techniques and best practices vary by the team or artist, it is possible to select a general modular workflow and compare it against a traditional, non-modular workflow. After presenting research into how modularity is used in modern games, an example 3D modular game environment was created to examine modular workflow and how it applied to small projects. Comparison was made between the potential yield of time spent using a modular workflow versus a non-modular one. Working on an environment with modular techniques proved beneficial in terms of speed, flexibility, and sense of progress. The results of many tasks were immediately apparent and easily iterated upon. Visual quality was higher than expected even when using unfamiliar techniques. The benefits of adopting a modular workflow for such projects were apparent throughout the process