Game-Changing Lens Flares: Elevate Lighting and Realism
What are lens flares and why do players enjoy them?
Have you ever noticed that satisfying streak of light as you rotate the camera in a video game? That effect originated with a lens, an anomaly appearing in reality, often used in art.
Photoshop lens flare filter
Light reflecting inside a camera lens causes lens flares, which in reality, appear as glowing halos, streaks, stars and haze. This illustration shows a standard lens with many glass components displayed. Picture the many ways the light can become rogue and play across the glass before hitting the sensor.
Illustration of typical lens by Cannon
Elements commonly seen in real lens flares
Lens flares, which result when intense light sources such as the sun or vehicle headlights strike camera lens optics at a specific angle, do not make up the subject of photographic images. Technically an imperfection, but in games, a feature. Some players find them too bright and a distraction, so it’s important to balance their presence on the screen.
Environment I worked on for Destiny 2: Beyond Light. Featuring an a long flare.
The two main flavors come in every hue
● Glares: A soft wash of light that lowers contrast and gives everything a dreamy haze.
● Artifacts: The memorable part: rings, streaks and polygons that move across the screen as you shift the camera.
Optic Lens Flares (left), Exo facility I created for Destiny 2: Beyond Light (right
Why do sci-fi shooters often display horizontal streaks? Anamorphic cinema lenses inspire them. Movies often use these lenses for their wider aspect ratio and incredible lens effects. Mass Effect 3 was the first AAA title I was part of making, and it placed significant importance on these impressive lens effects.
Anamorphic lens flare in Mass Effect 3. I collaborated with Don Arceta on this environment.
Why do games use lens flares?
Because they do three things players love and developers work tirelessly to achieve.
● They deepen immersion. Games appear grittier and realistic because of this real-world phenomenon. When the in-game camera flares, we think someone shot this through a lens, and it feels like a movie.
● They enhance the lighting. The city’s bright lights often captivate players in Cyberpunk, just as they appreciate the sunrise in Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Developers can use these subtle glows and streaks to amplify the art direction with focal points that guide players through the intended experience.
● They add cinematic drama. During cut-scenes in military action games, or the space battles in the Mass Effect series, you’ll notice an increase in lens flares. That is because they represent high stakes and cinematic next-gen polish.
Now, a brief history
Lens flare in games was a boast of graphical power. The developers of Halo: Combat Evolved, an early 3D game, included baked-in flares to showcase the engine’s lighting capabilities. An engine that later grew into the one used for the Destiny franchise.
Sun flare in Halo: Combat Evolved by Bungie
Games adopted the mainstream trend of flares, which was popularized by movies from J. J. Abrams. Suddenly, many FPS and RPG games were covered in lens flares, even in places where no light source existed.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens - J.J Abrams
Today, with the rapid growth of technology. Developers can implement advanced solutions simulating real optics, thanks to engines like Unreal Engine 5 and Unity. Modern solutions dynamically move flares with the camera, while allowing artists to have control over the result.
UE5 Scene using Optic Lens Flares
The future of flares in gaming
Players crave realism and a unique visual flair. As both optical simulation and storytelling tools develop, expect the continued expansion of flares. Picture an open-world action game; a flash grenade explodes and leaves you defenseless, or envision a sci-fi shooter where your visor enhances the lighting. Flares in real time is difficult… unless you have the right tool.
Meet Optic Lens Flares: A new lens flare toolkit for UE5
Cinematic Presets
It is a Niagara-based system designed for creators who want the look and feel of professional cinematography without the complexity.
What makes OLF unique?
✔ HDR perfection: Built on HDRI textures for vibrant color and brightness that stays consistent in any lighting.
✔ Plug and play blueprints: Drop a blueprint into your level and choose from a growing library of presets such as radiant star, northern lights, modern sci-fi, golden hour, candle glow and many more!
✔ Full creative control: Adjust intensity, temperature, scale and tint. Advanced users can dive into material instances to fine-tune halos, ghosts, stars and add effects like flicker, smoke and chromatic aberration for cinematic realism.
HDR elements at your command
This toolset offers fast, beautiful bokeh and realistic lens effects designed to elevate your projects with the visual fidelity expected from professional video editing tools. Whether you are building games, VR showcases, cinematic trailers or portfolio pieces, Optic Lens Flares gives your project that polished, cinematic authenticity.
HDR Elements found in Optic Lens Flares
Set to make your game resemble a movie? Do so by making Optic Lens Flares your secret weapon. Start using it today and light up your game world.
Download it today and start crafting cinematic moments that players will never forget.
Thank you for reading!
Kind Regards,
Julio Juarez
Other Tutorials
This article shares 10 practical tips for creating realistic textures in Substance 3D Designer. Covering techniques from natural color variation and edge selection to procedural fur, vines, and organic shapes, it shows how to add depth, randomness, and authenticity to your materials. With clear node combinations and real-world examples, the guide helps both beginners and experienced artists bring their textures to life.
Written by: Julio Juarez
Date: August 13, 2025