Square-Enix to Use Vicon Motion-Capture Technology in Future Projects

[fitbabits]

GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz) has more details (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14111):

Final Fantasy creator Square-Enix has selected Vicon's advanced motion capture technology to record actors for cinematic and in-game sequences in future current and next-generation software titles.

Square-Enix has utilised motion capture in its most popular titles, including games in its renowned Final Fantasy series, to bring life to the animation of in-game characters and enhance the now obligatory cinematic introduction and plot progression sequences.

"The Square-Enix team tried hard to ‘break’ the Vicon MX and Vicon iQ software during the evaluation phase with shots that were previously impossible such as a five-man dog-pile and other complex multiple performer moves. The system was still able to achieve accurate results. With Vicon MX in hand, companies like Square-Enix will be able to motion capture multiple performers for their titles with higher detail and fidelity," Muir added.
How long before true photo-realistic visuals are upon us?

[Scaryboy]

How long before true photo-realistic visuals are upon us?

The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. I have no interest in photorealism but the sooner we reach it the sooner the gaming world will get bored of it and move on.

[Spigot]

I have seen photo-realism and it is Sewer Shark.

I mean, Gabriel Knight 2.

I'm all for photo-realism when it suits the artistic style of the game, but can they at least get FFXII out the door before they start with the new technology?

I could honestly see them using this as an excuse for yet another delay on that project.

Grumble... I just want my FFXII....

Ah ha! I know what they're planning on using this for:

The Bouncer 2 - launch title for PS3, bargain bin title 3 months later

[Valkyrist]

How long before true photo-realistic visuals are upon us?
I'd like to point out that we've been saying that line every time we make a technological leap in the gaming industry. Hell, I think I said that word-for-word when I first saw the intro CG for FF8.


Ah ha! I know what they're planning on using this for:

The Bouncer 2 - launch title for PS3, bargain bin title 3 months later
LMAO...god I hope not. Maybe Squeenix is planning Final Fantasy Extreme Beach Volleyball, and needed this new system to better portray Tifa's "moves".

[DCJoeDog]

I'd like to point out that this has nothing to do with how a game character looks like and more with how they move.

[thecrazyd]

I have seen photo-realism and it is Sewer Shark.
That is the funniest thing I have read in a while. Kudos!

[VoodooKarma]

How long before true photo-realistic visuals are upon us?

I just saw some screenshots of Fight Night 3 for the 360 and they are pretty damn close to photorealistic.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. I have no interest in photorealism but the sooner we reach it the sooner the gaming world will get bored of it and move on.


Hear hear!!!

[Kelegacy]

The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. I have no interest in photorealism but the sooner we reach it the sooner the gaming world will get bored of it and move on.
I'm fine with HD and higher resolutions, but photorealism...eh. I want to escape from the real world when I play games. If I want photorealistic "escaping", I watch a movie. I think the more games start looking like reality, the more I start losing interest.

[Rirath]

Actually speaking of movement and motion capture CG, the intro 'Real Emotion' sequence to FFX-2 blows me away every time. I'm quite sure that was motion captured... I'm just curious what's different now. Better tech?

[dotbomb]

I just saw some screenshots of Fight Night 3 for the 360 and they are pretty damn close to photorealistic.

Too bad the demo plays pretty crappy (fouls go un-noticed, commentary is extremely poor and gets annoying quickly, replays are pathetic, movement is sluggish).

I'm all for good visuals but please please please let the gaming tech hit a wall finally so that game companies are forced to produce FUN games.

[Imelman]

heh, this (http://www.alias.com/eng/etc/fake_or_foto/index.html) is a fun little site if you haven't already encountered it. I don't know how far they can go with motion CGI, but some of the still pictures that are coming out are incredible and I'm sure the motion capture stuff will make the animation easier so that more focus can be given to making the characters look more realistic.

[Jacob Singer]

Great, I've always wanted to see spiky-purple-haired androgynous teenagers with 8-foot-tall swords in all their photo-realistic glory! Huzzah!

[thecrazyd]

heh, this (http://www.alias.com/eng/etc/fake_or_foto/index.html) is a fun little site if you haven't already encountered it. I don't know how far they can go with motion CGI, but some of the still pictures that are coming out are incredible and I'm sure the motion capture stuff will make the animation easier so that more focus can be given to making the characters look more realistic.
Huzzah! 8 out of 10. Those are mostly fairly obvious, and they try to trick you by using some purposely fake looking real pics, that I am sure have been touched up digitally.

[Kyle Jones]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about photo realistic visuals? Give me innovative gameplay and creativity or give me death!

[fitbabits]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about photo realistic visuals? Give me innovative gameplay and creativity or give me death!
Thus speaketh the Jaded Gamer! :)

[Raven_payne]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about photo realistic visuals? Give me innovative gameplay and creativity or give me death!

It's not that we don't want that too, but better graphics and more realistic movement in the gameplay wouldn't hurt.You know what I'm sayin?

[markster3000]

My ony question is when will they finally solve plastic looking skin???

With all this motion capure, and face mapping, and real-world-this, and real-world-that... why don't we just say "screw it all" and go back to live action video!!!

[fitbabits]

With all this motion capure, and face mapping, and real-world-this, and real-world-that... why don't we just say "screw it all" and go back to live action video!!!
7th Guest!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/fitbabits/7thguest.jpg

That's why!

[Balthasar]

I'm fine with HD and higher resolutions, but photorealism...eh. I want to escape from the real world when I play games. If I want photorealistic "escaping", I watch a movie. I think the more games start looking like reality, the more I start losing interest.
Agreed. Games are supposed to be abstractions. More realistic movement? I'm all for that. But I have zero interest in photorealism. That other poster is right. Hopefully they achieve it soon, so they can see how uninteresting it is and go back to trying to actually innovate games themselves.

[Balthasar]

My ony question is when will they finally solve plastic looking skin???
That one commercial for NBA Live 2006 for the 360 with Shaq is fucking creepy. He looked like a doll sweating. I can't understand for the life of me why anyone thinks that actually looks good.

[Rirath]

Great, I've always wanted to see spiky-purple-haired androgynous teenagers with 8-foot-tall swords in all their photo-realistic glory! Huzzah!

Been done, though slightly stylized.
Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children

And it owned.

[Kamalot]

I'm fine with HD and higher resolutions, but photorealism...eh. I want to escape from the real world when I play games. If I want photorealistic "escaping", I watch a movie. I think the more games start looking like reality, the more I start losing interest.

I couldn't agree with you more.

[F3nyx]

My ony question is when will they finally solve plastic looking skin???

With all this motion capure, and face mapping, and real-world-this, and real-world-that... why don't we just say "screw it all" and go back to live action video!!!They're already doing this with translucent skin layers, which will be included in some next-gen games. In fact, Nvidia's "Dawn" demo (the one with the fairy) had this several years ago.

[Captain Awesome]

Why is this a big deal? People have used mocab files and footage for games now for a while? Its actually even more work the more you use mocab, due to clean-up. Soul Calibur, Jade Empire, and a few others have used it alot more recently as well.

As for photo-realism? dont need it in games. I play them because the realism we do have is dull. If photo-realism was so fun to play, we wouldnt need videogames. Give me imagination, instead.

[aversion2k]

mocap* not mocab

Other wise it'd be motion cabture

[Royal Fool]

They're already doing this with translucent skin layers, which will be included in some next-gen games. In fact, Nvidia's "Dawn" demo (the one with the fairy) had this several years ago.

Indeed. Pixar used this technique for all of the people models in The Incredibles, with fantastic results.

[Anju]

I wouldn't totally say photorealism is bad. The game has to be fun to play, obviously. But the biggest argument I've heard today against photorealism is that it's too unimaginative. But that's the point of photorealism, in my opinion. You're not trying to get outside of reality. Some games just call for realism because hey, that shit isn't possible in real life.

Am I ever going to drive an M1A2 tank to a base, plant C4, run out and then capture the enemy documents? Although the scenario I just pointed out has arcade elements, it's still very much in the realm of reality, visually. So no, I disagree that photorealism is something we shouldn't achieve. Not something that the game industry should focus on exclusively, but not something we should just throw away either. Hell, look at PGR3. I remember playing Stunts on a 386 to get my kicks of driving in a Porsche. At least with the newer graphics, it's more real.

I do have to also make the argument though, that overall, the game has to be fun. Stunts was an amazing game in its day and I actually would not mind if they brought it back.

[Spigot]

/Hijack/ STUNTS! THAT is the name of the game that has been niggling at the back of my brain for the last few weeks. I loved that game. /end hijack/

I think that photorealism in a game like MOH or COD would be great. Trying to do it in every game, regardless of artistic style or setting would NOT be great.

I like the MOH screens I've seen in some of the other threads. I wouldn't mind seeing a photorealistic GTA though... mmm...

A photorealistic Animal Crossing, on the other hand, would just be far too creepy for words.

[Montgomery_Python]

Have we reached the point where summoning an esper will require us to set a timer and then go to work?

[Spigot]

Have we reached the point where summoning an esper will require us to set a timer and then go to work?
Sure we have.

It was called Final Fantasy 8.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Huzzah! 8 out of 10. Those are mostly fairly obvious, and they try to trick you by using some purposely fake looking real pics, that I am sure have been touched up digitally.

I can't even believe that the BMV is a CG image. That just blows my mind.


I'm also firmly in the camp that thinks photorealistic = boring. All of the clamoring for the "MORE REALISTIC" Zelda made me sick. Zelda isn't supposed to be realistic. The constant pooing of the cel-shaded Zelda made me cry. That game was beautiful - definitely one of the best looking games of last gen.