Volumetric fog is a visual effect that imitates the interaction of light with atmospheric particles.
When added to a game, it adds depth and ambiance that is more nuanced and immersive, giving it a personality that stands out.
Using volumetric fog is simple when you have the right tools, but it can be easy to overdo it. Below are five examples of games that make great use of volumetric fog.
Red Dead 2
by Rockstar Games
Winner of over 175 Game of the Year Awards and recipient of over 250 perfect scores, RDR2 is the epic tale of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the infamous Van der Linde gang, on the run across America at the dawn of the modern age.
Release: 2019
Motorcubs RC
by Draisey Digital
A great example of daytime scene use of OccaSoftware’s Buto: Volumetric Fog and Lighting. Motorcubs RC is a fun game that allows players to race through Monument Valley in RC cars, choosing from 4 vehicle classes with unique strengths in order to tackle 8 challenging tracks filled with interactive obstacles.
Lasers
by Straight Back Games
This game was created for fun by a tiny indie studio. LASERS is a brutally hard multiplayer game about surviving deadly laser mazes. The volumetric fog in this game makes for an atmosphere that supports the narrative, making it a more chilling and exciting game to play.
Arctic Awakening
by GoldFire Studios
A first-person narrative adventure set in the unforgiving Arctic: your plane crashed in a storm, leaving only your court-mandated therapy bot for company as you journey to find your co-pilot and uncover the mysteries buried beneath the ice.
Release date: 2024
Operation Crustacean
by SHWM
In this surreal 3D platformer, players discover a perilous island while riding a large shrimp. Featuring permadeath, rare power-ups and challenging bosses, players must master unique physics-based controls and embrace the game’s dark humor to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
Release: 2024
How to add volumetric fog to your game
Want to easily apply volumetric fog in your project?
At OccaSoftware, we make the tools that help indie game developers make their best-looking game with ease.
One of our most-beloved tools is Buto. Buto is an award-winning volumetric fog and volumetric lighting plugin for Unity. It is adored by more than 40,000 game makers worldwide. Our community love how easy it is to use and how great it looks.
