Key Elements and Practical Logic of Integrating Traditional Visual Elements into Game Art Design: An Exploratory Study Based on Grounded Theory

Integrating traditional visual elements into game art design not only enriches the connotation of the game but is also an important adoption to localise the game. However, many games featuring traditional visual elements have sparked widespread controversy and criticism. This study uses Grounded Theory to encode existing literature, and data collected from experts and users through interviews. It summarises the key elements and practical logic of integrating traditional visual elements into game art design to construct a corresponding theoretical framework. The study identified 29 key elements under 7 main categories. These include process elements of design practice such as “extracting visual elements,”“integration and combination,”“objective restoration,”“adaptation and innovation,” and “artistic design,” as well as factors of limitations and outcomes. This study obtains the opinions and suggestions of experts and players on the restoration and adaptation of traditional visual elements in game art, and outlines an integration approach. Overall, this study contributes to understanding the theoretical logic that determines the success or failure of integrating traditional visual elements into game art design, providing both theoretical foundations and practical insights for design practice.