Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Guild Wars 2 developer explains updated cinematic conversations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/guild-wars-2-developer-explains-updated-cinematic-conversations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/guild-wars-2-developer-explains-updated-cinematic-conversations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/guild-wars-2-developer-explains-updated-cinematic-conversations/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 fans are starting their morning with an interesting update and some entertainment, thanks to ArenaNet's motion capture and cinematic guru Chuck Jackman. Chuck is the mind behind the newest ArenaNet blog entry, all about the recent improvements to Guild Wars 2's cinematic conversations.

The cinematic conversations in Guild Wars 2 are the brief cutscenes that take place between player characters and NPCs at significant points in the story line. Until now, players trying the demo have only seen the placeholder versions of these cinematics, which consisted of a lot of seemingly-random emotes and what Chuck describes as "some very basic lip-synch that resembled more of a duck's bill than a human's mouth."

The team has been hard at work on improvements, though, and today's blog entry unveiled two videos of the new cinematics. It's a fairly lengthy read, with plenty of explanation of everything from emotes to facial animations to voice work. If your eyes glaze over at even a hint of tech-speak, fear not. While we have our doubts about Chuck's claims of blotting out the sun and tearing code from the minds of ancient gods, it's definitely an entertaining and informative read for any gaming fan. Check out the full entry at the ArenaNet blog.

MassivelyGuild Wars 2 developer explains updated cinematic conversations originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarenanet-blogcharacter-animationcharacter-designchuck-jackmancinematic-conversationscinematicsguild-wars-2gw2motion-capturencsoftuiFri, 11 Nov 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Spotlight: An interview with Clear Skies creator Ian Chisholm]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/eve-spotlight-an-interview-with-clear-skies-creator-ian-chishol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/eve-spotlight-an-interview-with-clear-skies-creator-ian-chishol/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/eve-spotlight-an-interview-with-clear-skies-creator-ian-chishol/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Spotlight is a biweekly feature in which we interview prominent members of EVE Online's player community or development team. Every two weeks, we'll be shining the spotlight on a player or developer who has a significant impact on EVE to highlight the efforts of EVE's most influential people.

EVE Online is well-known for its community's awesome cinematic productions, and no film is more renowned than the incredible machinima Clear Skies. Directed by Ian Chisholm, Clear Skies seamlessly merges in-game EVE footage with scenes composed using Valve's Source development kit. The films follow the adventures of captain John Rourke and his crew aboard the Minmatar Tempest class battleship Clear Skies. With more luck than sense, the Clear Skies crew continually finds itself in sticky situations but manages to come out on top.

The first Clear Skies film won the award for best long-format film at the 2008 annual Machinima Filmfest, and a second film solidified the series' huge cult following. Clear Skies has even inspired other players like Kyoko Sakoda to produce their own cinematic masterpieces set in the EVE Online universe. The third and probably final film in the Clear Skies series was released earlier this week, absolutely shattering all expectations.

In this massive edition of EVE Spotlight, I interview Clear Skies creator Ian Chisholm to find out all about the production of Clear Skies III.

Continue reading EVE Spotlight: An interview with Clear Skies creator Ian Chisholm

MassivelyEVE Spotlight: An interview with Clear Skies creator Ian Chisholm originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamescinematicclear-skiesclear-skies-3clear-skies-iiidirectingdirectoreveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineeve-spotlightfeaturedfilmfilm-productionian-chisholminterviewjessicajohn-guthriejohn-rourkemachinimamotion-capturerichie-powlesso-freaking-awesomevideovoice-actingThu, 02 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A smattering of topics from Star Wars: The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/a-smattering-of-topics-from-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/a-smattering-of-topics-from-star-wars-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/a-smattering-of-topics-from-star-wars-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fridays mean new updates for fans eagerly waiting on Star Wars: The Old Republic, and while last week saw the kickoff of PAX East and a hands-on demo (which we played), this Friday sees discussion on a wide range of different aspects. For starters, the latest Fan Friday feature has been posted, showing off new concept art and a fansite spotlight as well as a few new Sith avatars for forumgoers.

A new developer diary is also available, which discusses cinematic animations, one of the major selling points for the game. Certainly the motion capture helps, but as the diary notes, it's not quite as simple as suiting up some capture actors and getting their raw data. Even for a simple scene, there's some fairly elaborate work necessary to make the animation and overall environment feel convincing.

The end of the entry is devoted to several community questions regarding flashpoints, fresh in everyone's mind after the aforementioned demo at PAX East. If you're curious about how loot will be balanced in a dungeon with multiple storyline options, take a look at the full entry to get a clearer picture of how the system will be implemented in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

MassivelyA smattering of topics from Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationbiowarebioware-mmobioware-mmorpgbioware-star-warsbioware-swtorcinematicsdungeonseaelectronic-artsfan-fridayflashpointsgroup-contentlucas-artslucas-arts-mmolucas-arts-mmorpgmotion-capturepreviewsstar-wars-gamestar-wars-mmostar-wars-mmorpgstar-wars-the-old-republicstar-wars-torstarwarsstarwars-the-old-republicsw-torswtorthe-old-republicFri, 18 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda mo-caps U.S. soldier before he deploys for tour of duty]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/05/global-agenda-mo-caps-u-s-soldier-before-he-deploys-for-tour-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/05/global-agenda-mo-caps-u-s-soldier-before-he-deploys-for-tour-of/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/05/global-agenda-mo-caps-u-s-soldier-before-he-deploys-for-tour-of/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We hope our U.S. readers have been enjoying their Independence Day celebrations. Clearly most everyone working in the MMO industry has been chowing down on BBQ as there hasn't been much in the way of major gaming news stories breaking during the holiday. However, we did come across a Global Agenda story that we think is fitting for the 4th of July weekend.

Hi-Rez Studios VP of game operations Stew Chisam writes that the Global Agenda team received this from the wife of U.S. Army Captain Chris Ficquette: "My husband is in the United States Army and will be re-deployed for his second tour of duty this summer. To date, I have not yet found a bigger fan of video games than him. Is there any way that I could have my husband involved in motion capturing so that he could be immortalized in your video game?" It turns out Hi-Rez Studios was willing to oblige.

Continue reading Global Agenda mo-caps U.S. soldier before he deploys for tour of duty

MassivelyGlobal Agenda mo-caps U.S. soldier before he deploys for tour of duty originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-of-julydaniel-lillebergfourth-of-julyglobal-agendahi-rez-studiosholidaysindependence-dayjuly-4thlead-animatormo-capmotion-capturesci-fispy-fistew-chisamSun, 05 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodbye, virtual environments. Hello, real environments.]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/goodbye-virtual-environments-hello-real-environments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/goodbye-virtual-environments-hello-real-environments/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/12/goodbye-virtual-environments-hello-real-environments/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With all the talk about virtual environments (virtual world is, after all, something of a misnomer), what if you could use the real environment and bring the virtual to you? That's been the fundament of Augmented Reality for some time, and the core of many a spirited discussion -- the overlaying of information, images, representation onto what we perceive of the real world. Information about products, places, people, directions to destinations.

What about games? What if you could layer a gamespace into your physical environment? Or a non-game virtual environment, like Second Life, for example? The Escapist's Howard Wen talks to Blain MacIntyre, Associate Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology who has been one of several researchers there hacking on the Second Life viewer, adding Augmented Reality features to the software.

Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.

Continue reading Goodbye, virtual environments. Hello, real environments.

MassivelyGoodbye, virtual environments. Hello, real environments. originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d-cameraaugmented-realityblain-macintyregeorgia-techhoward-wenkevin-aldermanmitch-kapormotion-capturesecond-lifethe-escapistvirtual-worldsTue, 12 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The emperor's new suit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/the-emperors-new-suit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/the-emperors-new-suit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/the-emperors-new-suit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Back in the day, when Kevin Alderman (Second Life's Stroker Serpentine) was selling his hugely successful and popular virtual Amsterdam setting, he hinted that he was moving into a related line of business. Well, we know now what business it is that he's been getting into: wearable, affordable, consumer-grade motion-capture suits.

Frankly, the expensive professional capture systems that have largely been de-rigueur for motion capture for most of the history of the art require a ton of space, huge amounts of computing power, and that you dress like a luge sled pilot that's been infected with evil-alien-mime DNA and is being assaulted by amorous Pythagorean solids. Those days are soon to be over.

Alderman's company Strocap is working on a simple, wireless, wearable motion-capture suit that doesn't make you look any more retarded than the average outfit of expensive athletic gear. You can wear this with regular clothing -- or without it, depending on just exactly what sorts of motions you want to capture.

Continue reading The emperor's new suit

MassivelyThe emperor's new suit originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 May 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdamavatar-puppeteeringgame-mechanicskevin-aldermanmotion-capturesecond-lifestrocapstroker-serpentinevirtual-worldsFri, 09 May 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cinemassively: Making of Richard Hawley's Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/cinemassively-making-of-richard-hawleys-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/cinemassively-making-of-richard-hawleys-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/cinemassively-making-of-richard-hawleys-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's not every day that a musician takes you behind the scenes on how he performed. However, that's exactly what the team behind Richard Hawley's appearance in Second Life did. Hawley was there as a cheeky response to a ban on smoking in the UK, dubbing it the "first" virtual gig for "puffers." He even encouraged his fans in-world to light up. The American Cancer Society would not be pleased ...

What I'm more interested in, though, is the technology behind the performance. As you can see from the video, he was fitted with motion capture sensors, so that his real-life movements would be mimicked in-world. Most performers in SL use canned animations, which makes this quite refreshing!

MassivelyCinemassively: Making of Richard Hawley's Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acsamerican-cancer-societyentertainmentlinden-lablive-musicmocapmotion-capturepuffersrichard-hawleysecond-lifeslTue, 04 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wearable MoCap suits to put animators out of a job]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/wearable-mocap-suits-to-put-animators-out-of-a-job/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/wearable-mocap-suits-to-put-animators-out-of-a-job/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/29/wearable-mocap-suits-to-put-animators-out-of-a-job/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Well, not really. One always goes for the sensational headline. This New Scientist Tech article describes a new method of capturing motion that doesn't require a huge room, a team of software engineers, and a marked ability to refrain from feeling silly about wearing the little balls all over oneself. Instead, this system is vastly more portable, captures a wider range of motion, and doesn't make the wearer feel like too much of a feeb (presumably). There's even a video to see.

Okay, that's great and all, but why is this story on Massively? Because someday I envision this suit, or a modified version of it, being worn by a Second Life resident to more accurately portray her avatar's movement in-world. Or maybe a shirt-only version that allows an elaborate system of hand and arm gestures to simulate the casting of spells in Fury. The possibilities are astounding, and probably inevitable. And honestly, from the look of many of us, I'd say that anything requiring us to exercise our bodies while playing is a welcome invention.

[Via Slashdot]

MassivelyWearable MoCap suits to put animators out of a job originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exercisefurymassivelymotion-capturenew-scientist-techsecond-lifeslashdotThu, 29 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST