Console game using stop motion
animation graphics
This is a concept previously attempted on a few occasions in
the past with very little success, however considering the circumstances,
timing and marketing there is reason for one to believe that such a project
could become highly successful today.
When attention is given to the fact that many homes are now watching
television shows and playing console games on a large HD screen, and that film
companies are now having difficulty producing the ideal image to display on
them(even with the use of CGI), it can be noted that sculpture is often
valuable in creating flawless 3D imagery.
This project aims to be the first console game that uses stop
motion animation in an interactive 3D setting. It will be an adventure game
where the user controls a stop motion character to fight opposing characters
and avoid environmental hazards created in an actual set. This proposed project presents many
challenges, but has potential to possibly influence the way many video games
are made in the future.
History of stop motion animation in
video games
The most notable game series to use
this concept was a series of fighting games released from 1994-1998 called
“Clayfighter”. While the artwork and
graphics that these games used, combined with the promotion of having used a
new technology was good enough to make this game a hit, the gameplay and
concept were completely unoriginal. The
games simply put too much emphasis on how they were made during play, even
making parody of other games of the same genre at the end of a game(the
finishing moves of these games were known as ”Claytalities”, a direct mockery
of another fighting game series “Mortal Kombat”, which is still active to this
day). After its initial brief success,
the series was unable to produce a sequel that was able to sell.
Another example of this being used
was in 1996 with the release of the game “Neverhood” for the playstation1. While Neverhood enjoyed great reviews by
critics, the marketing just didn’t seem to be present as it was released very
close to the same time as many other notable adventure games such as “Super
Mario 64” and “Resident Evil”. Neverhood
just seemed to be using the wrong technology at a time when CGI was making
major breakthroughs.
A more recent example of this
technology being used is the 2010 point and click game “Dream Machine”, which
received great reviews despite the graphics consisting mostly of clay and
cardboard but again due to low budgets and no marketing the game went
unnoticed.
While there have been no truly great
original series’ of videogames using stop motion animation, these three
examples are from a very short list of attempts that have made it through to
production. It seems as though after
having given up on the relationship between video games and stop motion
animation at a very early age, and all of the developments in HD technology in
recent years, the stage could possibly be set for release that could redefine
the industry.
Implementation
The hypothesis of making a video
game using stop motion animation is to create a highly realistic view which can
be attained using HD cameras on sculptures which have been meticulously crafted
and painted in different positions to create amazing moving images.
With this being a revived technology a new type of software
will likely have to be created. One that
could recreate a physically constructed set as well as characters, map the
characters movements around obstacles and attacks or reactions while fighting
each other, and recreate these movements to happen anywhere on the set. The software that is to be used in this
project will likely be somewhat of a combination between stop motion pro and
dark game studios.
One advantage of stop motion
animation is that the sets used for it can be very small, however a much larger
workspace around it is generally needed to be cleared with cameras and lights
being put in very specific locations to obtain the perfect image. The production of this game will likely
require a large art studio with several sculptors creating characters and sets
to be used, as well as a software development team that will be able to use the
new kind of software needed to create this game.
Despite being used mainly for stop
motion animation, this game will ultimately need some aspects of CGI for it to
function as expected. This CGI will
likely be used for environmental hazards and random obstacles. Patterns for environmental hazards could be
formed using a program similar to the fractals program to identify changing
environmental conditions.
This game will also require an audio
track which can be created by using an MPC 1000 or similar device. Another essential part of the game will be
sound effects which can be obtained by recording sound anywhere and using
studio programs to manipulate it into a usable sound effect.
Marketing
This game, as with all other console
games would be available in retail stores everywhere and would also be
available for download, as is the growing case with many others.
Console games have been known to use several creative
advertising methods to sell their product.
These methods include TV or internet advertisements, billboards, video
trailers, providing T-Shirts for their customers to wear in the collectible
game package and many more.
Television and internet advertising
would be an obvious marketing choice for this game, however past lessons
indicate that overstating the stop motion animation will turn the audience away
over time, as was the case with Clayfighter.
Any game using new technology or
technology that is unfamiliar to its general audience should be first shown to
its audience at a memorable event.
Gaming conventions occur frequently in Canada as well as coast to coast
with 47 currently planned for all of 2014.
These conventions are intended for game creators to show their new
products to the attendees who are generally all avid gamers and excited to see
what new technologies and art are being produced. These are obvious places to promote this game
which uses stop motion animation.
Conclusion
Combining new filming technology
with old animating technology is a worthwhile endeavor for a creative
technologist who is looking to leave a mark in the gaming (or film)
industry. The investment for this game
would be extreme, but one would think that the potential to create a game that
would be recognized as a masterpiece is there.
During this course I was interested
in the coding aspect of interactive technology, which is the basis of all
gaming. Also the ability to create sound
electronically (games often use sound effects that match their own background
music), is very useful in creating console games that will be successful.
