Lecture 8 Oct.27.2008

Thesis paragraph: about 100 words Think of chapters: Chapter abstracts hands in

next week

ex. 'Project Title'1. Introduction

'(thesis statement, theory part)' 1-3 pages

2. Project Description and development

'( project abstract, technical challenge and solution, etc)' 2-6 pages

3. Conclusion (1-2 pages)

+ Bibliography, Appendix,etc

Today's topic

Animation in 3D games: character, motion and narrative

Meaning of animation in 3d CG games

For the class, we will look at Play Station 2 games

Animate technology is THE expressive language of the game

Out of necessity: Pseudo live-action? Considering relationship of realism and game

design

Realism, animation media,game medium

from Passive Limited control Viewer

to Interactive More control player

Meaning of animation media

Traditional media Aesthetic choice Expressive tool Giving life: created

motion and expressions

Believable characters

Game No other way:

Functions Virtual puppets:

movable, yet limited expression

agency

Game as narrative medium

Janet Murray: Hamlet on the Holodeck (1997), narratology

Espen Aatseth: Cybertext (1977): ludology Conflict between story and interactivity Immersion

From animation media point of view

Small use of animation media aesthetic Giving life: who's life is this? You v. character Transition period; strong tendency to use

traditional narrative film techniques in games Narrative as logic: introduction segments in

games: rhetoric of the game world, explaining piratical rules, exercise

Visualization

Believable character

Movement- dominated by 'control' Constant reminder of reality Lack of true interactivity Characters without personality: agency Free camera point of view From original to game; crude visualization Game design problem?: Better examples by

film directors involved in game design

King Kong 2005 by Peter Jackson

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/42225/king_kong_trailer/

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-bB5yPUya-DE/peter_jacksons_king_kong_game_the_movie_intro/

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-PP6yvQsFNdM/king_kong_the_venture/

Immersible, cinematic 1st person (Jack), 3rd

(Kong)

Arthur and the Minimoys (Luc Besson, 2006)

Film: Live action + animated characters Good game design and visualization

http://www.arthuretlesminimoys.com/arthur_site.php?ze_langue_choisie=1

Tutorial

Z brush model Max Skin