Camera Perspectives

Camera Perspectives in Games

• Third Person

• Camera behind character
  • Larger environmental view
  • Clear view of character actions
• Third Person Shooter variant
  • Camera closer & shoulder offset
  • Centered crosshair for aiming

• First Person Perspectives

• Default UE Setup
  • Camera with floating arms
  • No visible body when looking down
• True First Person
  • Full body visible
  • Extra work needed for:

    Preventing camera clipping Managing motion sickness from head bob

• Classic Side Views

• Sidescroller
  • 2D plane movement (left, right, up, down)
  • Camera follows character
• Modern era pushing boundaries in both 2D/3D

• Top-Down Variants

• Isometric & Top-down share:
  • “45 degree downward angle” (guideline)
• Isometric Specific
  • Uses orthographic camera
  • Removes depth/perspective
  • Parallel gridlines
  • 45° world angle shift
• Traditional Top-down
  • Straight-on world angle
• Action RPG Style
  • Similar to top-down
  • Maintains perspective/depth
• Satellite View
  • Direct downward perspective

• Additional Usage

• Games utilize perspective changes for:
  • Mini games
  • Puzzles
  • Power-ups
  • Vehicles
  • Storytelling

Camera perspectives fundamentally shape how players experience and interact with games. Each style offers unique advantages and considerations, with many games combining multiple perspectives for varied gameplay elements.