Game Art Books: Elevating the Art of Virtual Worlds or a New Form of Monetizing for Additional Game Content?
Abstract
Art books for digital games are a special form of artistic expression that offers players and fans a deeper insight into the creative process of game development. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly popular, as game developers use art books not only to present artwork and conceptual designs, but also as effective marketing and monetization tools. Their roots can be found in the history of illustrated art books, a tradition dating back to the 16th century, whose purpose was to disseminate works of art and ideas. Contemporary game art books continue this tradition, but at the same time exhibit characteristics that differ from the original concept of livres d’artiste. The study focuses on the research question of whether game art books represent an authentic extension of the artistic dimension of digital games or rather a new model of charging for additional content. The aim of the study is to define the formal and content characteristics of game art books and to highlight their value for the professional public, creators, and collectors. The research uses the method of content analysis of selected art books, focusing on four categories: available versions, methods of acquisition, presentation of authorship, and content focus of the publication.
Key Words
Art Book. Collectors. Concept Art. Game Editions. Monetization.
Cihlářová, M., & Pravdová, H. (2026). Game Art Books: Elevating the Art of Virtual Worlds or a New Form of Monetizing for Additional Game Content?. European Journal of Media, Art & Photography, 14(1), 92-99. https://doi.org/10.34135/ejmap-26-01-05
Game Art Books: Elevating the Art of Virtual Worlds or a New Form of Monetizing for Additional Game Content? © 2026 by Monika Cihlářová, Hana Pravdová is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
