Later this month, the PS5 and PC versions of the game are set to release in an enhanced form, thanks to a remaster developed by Nixxes Software. As the launch draws near, the studio has shared further details on how it has updated Guerrilla’s acclaimed 2017 open-world action RPG through a PlayStation Blog post.
Indeed, numerous facets have undergone significant improvements, encompassing foliage density and NPC behavior, as well as terrain and other aspects, which have notably been refined. While exploring one specific aspect of the game, players may find crucial advancements through the dialogue exchanges between protagonist Aloy and various characters she encounters, particularly noteworthy for those committed to the narrative.
As previously announced, the upcoming remake is set to feature motion capture seize animations for its conversations, marking a significant departure from the unique launch. Nixxes Software program and Sony have now confirmed that over 10 hours of newly captured movement data are featured within the remastered version, all directed and captured by Guerrilla at their studio in Amsterdam.
According to senior technical artist Mark Bazelmans, the game features almost 300 conversations, yielding approximately 3,100 dialogue choices; it would have been ideal to find an option to seamlessly integrate this vast array of updated animations into the conversations. We developed a tool using Python to process nearly 2,500 motion capture files provided by Guerrilla, replacing original animations in conversations by eliminating outdated events and substituting them with motion capture data.
The conversations with non-player characters (NPCs) now feature enhanced elements, while Nixxes Software has also implemented improvements to lighting and camera functionality.
“After refreshing conversation animations, we upgraded camera and lighting configurations for all conversations and cinematics,” said Bazelmans. “For camera calibration, we update the current settings and parameters.” The automated process often fell short of delivering the desired outcome due to the significant disparity between the original motion capture data and the newly acquired mocap, leading to inconsistent results in most conversations. The introduction of brand-new physics-based animations allows for a greater range of character movements, occasionally leading to characters venturing beyond the screen’s boundaries or disappearing from view entirely? As a direct result of this innovation, our skilled Digital Camera Structure Artists successfully implemented a customised solution using DECIMA tools, effortlessly refining camera settings to optimise performance.
We’ve updated our lighting toolset to more closely mirror industry standards, enabling users to fine-tune character and atmosphere lighting within individual images using a visual representation of the photograph’s layout. A unified lighting approach was employed for each character, encompassing the entirety of their dialogue and applicable across various conversation paths. Our lighting artists can work their magic on a specific character type, ensuring that all related shots and photographs of that character are lit consistently, allowing for flexibility to make individual adjustments as needed. This fashion lighting required minimal adjustments for optimal performance.
Exterior improvements have also been made to outdoor conversations, with a renewed focus on authenticity. Moreover, lighting in cutscenes has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, recreated from the ground up to accurately reflect the game’s enhanced visual style.
“Nixxes Software observed that with lighting in cinematics and conversations, we aimed to harmonize the artistic flair and visual excellence.” Utilizing cutting-edge animations, motion-capture technology, and high-definition digital photography, our team recreated the cinematic lighting for the remastered version from a blank slate. We leveraged cutting-edge expertise and refined workflows specifically designed to elevate cinematic lighting in
debuts on Halloween night, October 31, for PlayStation 5 and PC.
