Post 4 - Halo Reach

Halo Reach

The 2010 Xbox 360 game Halo Reach is a great source of reference and research when looking at realistic figure movements. Being the first Halo game to use motion capture technology, game developers Bungie have created a variety of characters, which possess true to life movements and showcase a great understanding of motion. One of the unique possibilities, offered by Halo Reach is what is known as Theater mode. This option allows players to view any recent games played (whether they are from the campaign or multiplayer) and watch them from any angle, at any point in time. This can be sped up, slowed down, and recorded through images and video. This source of information is a collection of several images taken from 3 different angles of a walk cycle. I then, drew on a simple skeletal structure in order to provide an extra layer of information (FIG 04).

FIG 04

Evaluation

This is a good up to date source and shows the results that can be achieved through motion capture. However, the issues which arise from this particular source is that it is the design of the game for the character, or characters to always carry a gun. The movements are very realistic and smooth, but the sacrifice is that one foot is slightly bent out to create the illusion of weight distribution. So for a regular walk cycle, this is not accurate. However as an example of weight distribution and counter balance, this is a good point of reference. In addition to this, as the character carries a gun, no observations can be made into how the arms react to weight and movement. Other than this, the use of stick drawings, or frame diagrams are a good way of allowing us to look and compare several different sources in the same way.

It is worth pointing out also that the Theater feature, which this game provides is an interesting way of being able to view past games, with complete freedom. I believe this feature can be tied in with the initial historical research and provides a modern equivalent to the concept of capturing motion, using modern techniques and possibilities.