We all have seen an animation whether in a movie, cartoon, or even in a video games. And of course, we all have play, at least a simple game. Since it was introduced in 1948, the video games have been through a tremendous changes from 2-bit video games of Tennis For Two, to 320 bit, Direct-X 10-ready games.
The secret behind the liquid-smooth, real-life texture, of course because of a high-tech game engine like Source (Half-Life 2, Dark Messiah Of Might & Magic), and also Unreal ( Tom Clancy's series) but responsibility to animate the character, the environment, laws of physic, and interactive world is in the hand of an animator.
The role of the Animator in games is to bring life and motion to the game world. The day-to-day work of the Animator can be very varied and as such requires the Animator to be very flexible and adaptable. Animation is a vital part of the process and as with all art has the potential to make or break a game. The majority of computer games are now developed using realtime 3D graphics and animation. Artists and Animators working in computer games development are usually trained or experienced in one of the major 3D modelling and animation packages, such as 3DStudioMax or Maya.
Game animation can be a complex combination of many different types of movements, so the Animators must make extensive libraries of re-usable animations for each character.They are also usually responsible for the technical processes of rigging and skinning of the characters, (which involves creating an underlying structure rather like the bones of a skeleton and attaching appropriate body parts to each bone).
3D-based game needs animation. Sometimes, the animator has to do:
- Character / Scenic Animation - Primarily concerned with animating the game characters, character animation specialises in the portrayal of "character" and emotion through movement
- Cut-Scene Animation - A more specialised, cinematography-like role, cut-scene animation is particularly concerned with the setting up and animation of shots. As this involves the animation and sequencing of cameras, the cut-scene animator must have good directorial / cinematography skills.
- Complex Rigging - As the animation of characters and objects becomes ever more complex, the underlying skeleton and skinning used to facilitate the animation process becomes more multifarious. The rigger is someone who is highly skilled in the design and deployment of skeletal rigging systems, animation constraints and manipulators. This work usually entails close communication with programmers to enable the animators to achieve what they need.
- Motion Capture - Mo-cap animation is focused on the directing, recording and integration of motion capture data into the project. The secret of success here is the ability to understand the characterisation requirements of the game and being able to communicate and direct the motion capture process.
Animation for games requires a combination of art, technical and organizational skills, including:
- knowledge of traditional and computer 2D and 3D animation techniques
- creativity and imagination
- knowledge of full motion video (FMV)
- spatial awareness and a feel for movement over time
- knowledge of constraints
- ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- organizational skills and the ability to work to deadlines
- good communication and presentation skills
Example of game that requires animator
An animator's skill does not only apply on PC games, but also on console and handheld video games. With the launch of Playstation 3, X-Box 360 and also the next-generation PC, the skill that one's animator possessed has been put to test since these gaming platform need smooth texture, reasonable law of physic and extremely beautiful graphic that will make the game very addictive.
Here's a few example of a game that require most, and the best animation:
- Doom 3
- Final Fantasy series (Playstation Console)
- Half Life 2 (PC)
- Far Cry
Screen Shot:
animator try to create life-like model, such as this SOF Combat Rifle in Crysis (May 2007 release)
with this zombie, animators try to bring horror to the player by simulating life-like model and movement.
another example, animator try to simulate the face such as jaw, eyes and forehead wrinkles.
animator try to create a Shoe using 3D max 8.
Conclusion
Animator's skill is highly needed by the gaming industry. Animator plays an important role to games as they bring realistic movement and also bring life to a character. Without animator, there's no 3D gaming, no Playstation, no X-box, and also no PC games. From all of the above, we could say that the animator is a backbone in today gaming technology.
