Скачать или смотреть Motion Capture in Games: Simon Unger on Creativity, Speed, and Realism | EP. 23 Animation Podcast

In this episode of the iAnimate Animation Podcast, lead animator Simon Unger shares how motion capture in games boosts creativity, speeds up production, and enhances realism in animation workflows.

Episode 23 of the iAnimate Animation Podcast features Simon Unger, Lead Animator at Robotoki and former Animation Director on Hitman: Absolution. In this deep-dive conversation, Simon unpacks the critical role of motion capture in games—especially within indie and AAA studios alike.

He shares how mocap is far more than a time-saver—it's a productivity tool that frees animators to focus on polish, acting choices, and character nuance. Simon emphasizes that motion capture is not replacing animators, but empowering them. From rapid prototyping to believable facial motion capture, mocap gives animation teams the agility to iterate quickly while maintaining high fidelity.

Simon also explores the creative benefits of working on a new IP (Human Element) versus an established franchise (Hitman), and the unique freedom that comes with defining character behavior from scratch. He discusses using tools like MotionBuilder, directing performance capture shoots, and how performance capture—body, voice, and facial capture simultaneously—has revolutionized storytelling in games.

Whether you're into realistic game animation, open-world gameplay, or pushing the limits of next-gen animation pipelines, this episode offers valuable insights into the game development process.

⏱️ YouTube Chapters - Motion Capture in Games: Simon Unger on Creativity, Speed, and Realism
00:00 – Introduction to Episode 23
00:38 – Guest Introduction: Simon Unger, Lead Animator
01:49 – Career Journey: From Mainframe to EA and Hitman
03:06 – Working on a New IP: Human Element
04:15 – Creative Freedom in Developing a New IP
05:20 – Simon’s Role as Lead Animator
06:57 – Character Design Through Animation
08:42 – Animation Style Guides and Worldbuilding
09:08 – How Human Element Uses Motion Capture
09:43 – Why Use Motion Capture in Games
10:53 – Motion Capture for Prototyping and Iteration
11:29 – Mocap Creativity: Collaborating with Actors
12:45 – Platforms and Next-Gen Consoles
13:20 – Animation Compression Challenges
14:22 – How Compression Affects Animation Quality
15:59 – Advancements with New Animation Tech
17:26 – Mocap Enables Diverse Animation Systems
18:30 – Character Behavior Through Performance Capture
20:05 – Scaling Up Worlds with Limited Teams
20:40 – Mocap as a Time-Saving Tool for Animators
21:53 – Is Mocap Good Out of the Box? (Spoiler: No)
23:00 – Performance Capture vs. Motion Capture
24:40 – Using Mocap in Stylized Games
25:49 – Mocap as a Sculptable Animation Base
26:52 – Motion Capture as a Tool for Artists
27:53 – Evolution of Mocap Technology
29:37 – Capturing Voice, Face, and Body Together
30:39 – Authenticity in Game Acting and Casting
32:11 – Performance Planning in Mocap Shoots
33:11 – Simon’s Favorite Part of the Animation Process
33:51 – Differences Working on Hitman vs. New IP
35:39 – Directing and Working with Actors on Set
36:51 – Empowering Animators to Take Ownership
38:22 – The Value of Multiskilled Animators
39:54 – Animation Lead vs. Director Titles Explained
41:11 – Team Scope and Project Scale at IO Interactive
42:21 – Why Studios Value Problem Solvers
42:56 – What Simon Looks Forward to in Teaching
43:30 – Changing Perceptions Around Mocap
44:14 – The iAnimate Motion Capture Workshop Team
45:13 – Community, GDC Talks, and Final Thoughts
45:45 – Outro and Thanks

🔗 Learn more about iAnimate’s animation training workshops and start developing your animation skills today:
iAnimate Online Animation Training and Workshops: https://ianimate.net/workshops
Mocap: https://ianimate.net/workshops/motion...
Feature Animation: https://ianimate.net/workshops/featur...
Visit iAnimate.net: https://ianimate.net/

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