The technology of motion capture has enables game developers
and designers to produce high quality graphics. Over time, advancements in this
technology has resulted in greater precision of capturing objects and
movements, leading to a higher realism of characters. The process of motion
capture involves the use of a myriad of camera angles, lighting effects, and
dozens of stuntmen to digitize a character’s physical features and movements. Ever
since its launch in the mid 1990’s, it has grown to become one of the most
preferred methods of game development.
In this blog post, we explain how motion capture is indeed
the future of 3D gaming.
How does motion capture work?
In motion capture, an actor or stuntman is required to wear
a skintight bodysuit, which is covered with a number of sensors and markers to
enable motion capture designer to capture movements onto a screen. The actor’s
movements and stunts are captured by cameras from several angles for a full
three-dimensional view of the character. This is then used to develop a basic
outline of the character onto a screen, which then allows designers to
experiment with multiple settings.
For example, a designer may create a 3D stick-based
character on to their screen and apply multiple variables, such as standing on
top of a building or in a forest, to generate a finished animation.
In many games, an actor’s physical attributes, such as
facial features, are required to mimic it exactly onto the screen. In such
cases, the actor is asked to sit very still and use his facial features to
signify different emotional states, such as anger, happiness, and dazed, to
create a graphical representation accordingly.
What makes motion capture the future of 3D gaming?
So what makes motion capture so significant for 3D gaming.
Firstly, motion capture is useful for producing high quality images and
animations. Since the mid 90’s, the technology and process of motion capture
has undergone considerable developments. Many equipments and features today
allow game developers to reproduce the minute details of a character like never
before. Game characters today can reflect different emotional and mental states
within a particular scene with higher precision.
The image capturing technologies can gather enough details on
a character to show how it behaves under different situational and
environmental contexts. For instance, a character eyes will enlarge upon
sensing danger and give the warmness of a smile when feel relaxed and excited.
Secondly, motion capture enables developers to achieve
real-time virtualization. Through advanced imagine and lighting capabilities,
players can interact with game characters in a much more comprehensive manner.
Many of the games today are adapting the facial and body features of real
actors within games to give a much more realistic interpretation of movements
and interactions.
It can be said with great confidence that, in the future,
Hollywood actors will play a much bigger role in game development than they do
currently.
Enhances user experience
The effectiveness of motion capture can also be described
from the players’ point of view. Multiple game consoles have launched separate
systems to enable characters to interact with the game through their own
physical movements. While this feature may be a little out-of-date, newer
technologies are allowing players to insert their own visual depictions in
games, akin to a photo booth.
Motion capture is thus playing a pivotal role in blurring
the distinctions between reality and fiction. Through it, both developers and
gamers can experience gaming in a much more realistic manner.
