[Avydia1]

Hello, I read a lot of threads about Witcher 3 being open world and the features it should have, etc. There's also something about the combat system and about the first/third person perspective.

I would like to open a discussion about Witcher 3 main character's animation, how it should look like and what comparisons should be made with other games.
Personally I think that main character's animation is one of the most important features in a game. Skyrim's animations in third person view are ridiculous, like the ones in Dragon age 2. Witcher 2 already exceeds this games, featuring awsome animations of Geralt walking, running and fighting.

But I think Witcher 3 should further improve Geralt's animations and make them really realistic and more fluid. IMO the game that today shows the best main character animations is Assassin's Creed 3. I will really appreciate if CDproject will go in that direction for Witcher3 moves, or even improve it if they can.

What do you think about it?

[Kallelinski]

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=JE_GqseZVJo

You might recognize some moves.

[slimgrin]

Kallelinski said:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=JE_GqseZVJo

You might recognize some moves. ›››

Nice find. Those guys are good.

[HylianColibri]

That's nice.

[SystemShock7]

TW2 already used motion capture. Can you elaborate on what do you mean by "more realistic"?

[silversteel]

I personally think Witcher 1's animations were truly amazing, they seemed like moves that only a skilled swordsman would have. Obviously I don't mean to be that guy that just says "yeah Witcher 1 combat is better than TW2" but the animations did not compare IMO. Especially I felt the pacing could be improved and make combat a little faster paced which CDPR already confirmed in the Game Informer interview.



Also, hear how the sword impact sound really feels like steel is is hitting steel, (or steel hitting the body) that sound effect of the impact of the sword's force is not something I truly felt as much in TW2, the best would be to combine the fast and superb animations and combat sound effects from the first Witcher and the reactionary combat from TW2 into TW3's combat system.

[seamusgod]

the witcher 1 animations don't even make sense.you got geralt flipping around in place with no semblance of momentum or inertia.

[Cryddon]

There will be a video in due time detailing animations specifics. Basically, many versatile animations will be added which will feel more natural, especially during combat.

[Sirnaq]

seamusgod said:

the witcher 1 animations don't even make sense.you got geralt flipping around in place with no semblance of momentum or inertia. ›››

[Chromie92]

SystemShock7 said:

TW2 already used motion capture. Can you elaborate on what do you mean by "more realistic"? ›››

Motion capture +!

[Avydia1]

When I say "more realistic" I mean especially the running and walking moves. In witcher 2 combat animations were fine, but I found walking and running a bit rigid, mechanical. There were only two modes: walking or running.

I think that Witcher 3 Geralt's movement (considered that he will move around a big open world) should be gradual and progressive, going from walking slowly (stealthy), to walking normally, then a light run, then full fast running with some acrobatic moves too like jumping a gap or evading obstacles.

Oh, and the ability to draw the swords at will (like in W2) should be mantained, but I'd love to see Geralt do some cool moves swirling his sword . ( like Connor in AC3 twirls the tomahawk pressing "x" button)

[WhySoGreedy?]

Avydia1 said:

When I say "more realistic" I mean especially the running and walking moves. In witcher 2 combat animations were fine, but I found walking and running a bit rigid, mechanical. There were only two modes: walking or running.

I think that Witcher 3 Geralt's movement (considered that he will move around a big open world) should be gradual and progressive, going from walking slowly (stealthy), to walking normally, then a light run, then full fast running with some acrobatic moves too like jumping a gap or evading obstacles.

Oh, and the ability to draw the swords at will (like in W2) should be mantained, but I'd love to see Geralt do some cool moves swirling his sword . ( like Connor in AC3 twirls the tomahawk pressing "x" button) ›››

my thoughts exactly. Especially thing about cool swirling sword moves like connor.

[Avydia1]

So we all agree that in The Witcher 3 Geralt should be able to:

1) Move progressively from -> slow/stealthy -> normal walking -> light running -> fast running (eventually with acrobatic moves to avoid obstacles)

2) Draw his swords, do swirling cool moves at will (which could even scare weaker enemies like simple bandits)


3) Forementioned animations should be inspired by AC3 Connor's behaviour, but improving it

[phreatophile]

And jump with a button press at any time instead of requiring an activator (identical Ledge in almost every occurance)

[guipit]

I'm replaying Witcher 1 again and the animation there are sometimes better than TW2.

There were more people who walked around instead of just hanging out like in W2. Dandelion,Triss and Zoltan didn't even have a place to sleep in Chapter 1! I think there was an equal number of animations we just didn't see them as often as we should have. I just want a lot of people walking all the time when I'm in a city. In W1 they sometimes put doors that lead to nowhere for the random NPC's which is a good solution.

Does anyone remember if people still run away from the rain and seek shelter in TW2?

It seems like in TW2 there weren't many different monster animations. Nekkers,Rotfiends and Gargoyles look like they have the same rig/animation.

[slimgrin]

Yes people react to the rain in TW2. And yes the animations for Nekkers, Rotfeinds and Drowners were somewhat recycled. But they have their own variations as well. Nekkers dance backwards to dodge moves, Rotfeinds jockey side to side, and Drowners have wicked reach with their jumps. Overall I thought TW2 had superb animation but I'm assuming they'll add to the variety in TW3.

[DrPlague357]

Everything is a learning process and I'm sure they'll nail it.

[Avydia1]

We're not making comparisons with 2007 game Witcher 1 (which was over the top at that time), but trying to find how Witcher 3 could improve the animations to be the best animated RPG ever in 2014.

[Tuco Benedicto]

Avydia1 said:

What do you think about it? ›››

What I think pretty much about any action game: animations should be cool, sure, but first and foremost they should be short, quick, and very responsive to your control system.

I couldn't give less of a fuck about a super cool "somersault+fatality" animation, when that goes on for five seconds and it makes the combat feel dull and tuned on autopilot.

P.S. Also: less "floating" stuff, more physicality and finely tuned collisions with enemies and monsters.

[FoggyFishburne]

Kallelinski said:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=JE_GqseZVJo

You might recognize some moves. ›››

Holy shit! Thanks for sharing man!