#RelationshipGoals - How Gaming and VFX Industries Are Helping Each Other Evolve
I distinctly remember discussing the future of visuals with my colleagues and associates during a visual effects (VFX) roundtable at Toolbox Studio back in 2010. We had predicted that by the turn of this decade, graphics for both film and video games would have evolved to such an extent that it would become for people to differentiate between what is real and what is created using technology. It is fair to say that we are well on our way to achieving this incredible feat across the board.
Richer simulations, masterful storytelling and phenomenal VFX have become common aspects of both – films and virtual games – and continue to evolve further.
And interestingly, it is a two-way street. It is not just one field that is borrowing or benefiting from the other; there is a lot of give and take happening between the visual effects domain and the video games sector. We are seeing the highest quality of visual effects in contemporary video games and the world of VFX is adopting game engines and other ideas to work more efficiently.
I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, though. This natural crossover was bound to make magical things happen for a variety of reasons that I’ll talk about in this article.
The friendly confluence and rapid evolution of game graphics and film VFX are both steeped in the broader industry growth. As of 2019, according to Research and Markets, the global Animation, VFX & Video Games industry was valued at US$ 264 billion.
So, what’s driving the convergence of film VFX and gaming graphics?
- New technologies to the fore
The advent and proliferation of technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), along with motion capture and real-time rendering has given the video gaming technology landscape a whole new dimension. To deliver an “immersive” experience to the audience, VFX artists now have to think like game developers. The widespread usage of VR in both gaming and film making is one of the most prominent trends that is here to stay.
- Similar production technologies
One of the key reasons for this overlapping of video games and VFX is the fact that the basic principles and methods of production are the same for both. In fact, a lot of the tools and software used for creating visual effects – Maya, 3D Studio Max and ZBrush, for instance – are used by game production specialists on their projects, too. As far as current trends in video game production technology go, they are marginally ahead of the curve (as compared to VFX). I have elaborated on this point below.
- Film VFX production techniques in games
Using motion capture in games has enabled game companies to create complex characters that appear very human in terms of their mannerisms and expressions. When put together with photo-realistic backgrounds, the results are astounding.
And mo-cap is just one example. You have the merging of live-action storytelling with real-time VFX, too, which helps game makers develop unbelievably realistic environments and narratives.
The usage of photo-grammetry in games is another example of a phenomenal visual production technique being adopted by the gaming industry. Photo-grammetry involves taking photographic data of an object from different angles and converting it into realistic textured digital models; something done to stunning effect in the Battlefield franchise and games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.
- Game engines and simulation in movies
For the longest time, films were shot in a certain way – on carefully constructed film sets with massive green screens and actors wearing their costumes and reacting to something that isn’t even present! However, over the past decade, filmmakers in Hollywood have started using game production software that help them visualize shots, scenes, concepts and ideas before they begin shooting.
The adoption of game engines for pre-visualization and simulation has allowed film studios and directors to become more flexible, plan better and understand exactly what they need.
Real-time rendering has made its way into film production, making it more interactive, effective, quicker and cheaper. Eric Saindon, who worked on the VFX for Alita: Battle Angel, says the team visualized scenes with their own game engine just like video games do. “We can light the scenes before we shoot them. We can go through this whole process before we ever have to film it," he quips.
Whether you talk about films like The Lion King or Solo: A Star Wars Story, game engines like Unreal have changed the way VFX works forever. The ability to create imagery on the fly has truly transformed the way mainstream visual production work is now handled. In fact, it won’t be long before film studios start collaborating with tech setups and game companies to develop their own suite of virtual production tools.
Besides, this opens up movie studios to the talent pool of the gaming industry too.
Isn’t it fascinating to see how both industries are thriving on each other’s advancements?
Where do you think of the amazing association of gaming and film VFX is headed? What kind of technologies and techniques can we expect in the near future? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Source - https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4900485/global-animation-vfx-and-video-games-industry
Source - https://www.animationxpress.com/index.php/latest-news/application-of-vfx-in-gaming
Source - https://variety.com/2019/biz/features/video-game-engines-visual-effects-real-time-1203214992/
Source - https://www.creativebloq.com/features/how-videogame-graphics-and-movie-vfx-are-converging
Source - https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/hollywoods-greatest-vfx-tool-in-the-2020s-video-games