Activision R&D Real-time Character Demo

At GDC, Activision Blizzard presented a rendition of its real-time character on current video card hardware by using standard bone animation.

‘The original high resolution data was acquired from Light Stage Facial Scanning and Performance Capture by USC Institute for Creative Technologies, then converted to a 70 bones rig, while preserving the high frequency detail in diffuse, normal and displacement composite maps. It is being rendered in a DirectX11 environment, using advanced techniques to faithfully represent the character’s skin and eyes.

Activision Blizzard Technical Director, Jorge Jimenez, said that ‘the demo represents the culmination of many years of work in photorealistic characters.’

“We will show how each detail is the secret for achieving reality. For us, the challenge goes beyond entertaining; it’s more about creating a medium for better expressing emotions, and reaching the feelings of the players,” he added.

Check out the video below:

Pretty amazing, wouldn’t you agree?