A helper robot for actors and developers to have more references during motion capture.
Today it is difficult to understand game development without motion capture of real actors, which lends enormous credibility to animations in a game. According to a new patent, and it already has a few, Sony would be developing a new technology for assist in motion capture through a robot.
It is an already standardized process where it is normal to see the actors with black overalls with beanbag sensors and a helmet with a camera that focuses on the face all the time, also full of sensors and reference points. Sony is now working on an adjustable robot to help the actors in this process, according to the latest reports.
Even more realistic video game animations
According to this patent, Sony is working on a mobile and height-adjustable robot capable of moving around the film set to help the actor perform certain interactions, such as opening doors or petting an animal. In part, this shooting partner would come to solve, in part, the problems that arise when it comes to coordinate the animations of two actors working separately (via gamerant).
In this way they would have a way to interact in a more real way, which would facilitate the development process. Sony’s plan is that this robot can mount certain accessoriessuch as hand models to assist the actor and developers in animations as complex as a handshake between characters.
Although it is not an applicable or affordable technology for all developments, motion capture is a natural ally of big budget Triple A games. Especially if they are narrative games with many cinematic scenes, just the way PlayStation likes it. Without a doubt, this little robot could be very useful in these developments. In just a few weeks we’ll see how far PlayStation has been able to push this technology in Sony Santa Monica’s God of War Ragnarok. Although it is still an intergenerational game for PS4 and PS5.