Are we alone in being slightly slack-jawed at the fluid, cinematic conversation that plays out? Should we maybe wait until we've seen more to set up lawn chairs outside our local game store in preparation for November? Nay, we say. If loving well-constructed dialog is no longer "hip", then we'll be in our room, playing The Adventures of Willy Beamish.
Are we alone in being slightly slack-jawed at the fluid, cinematic conversation that plays out? Should we maybe wait until we've seen more to set up lawn chairs outside our local game store in preparation for November? Nay, we say. If loving well-constructed dialog is no longer "hip", then we'll be in our room, playing The Adventures of Willy Beamish.
Reader Comments (69)
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 4:21AM NobleArc said
It's beautiful. :0
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 5:17AM thejoemeister said
Chan/ I get the feeling you want to ask me something, Commander /tho.
If anyone can tell me what that's from, I'll be impressed.
If anyone can tell me what that's from, I'll be impressed.
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 8:44AM ShapeGSX said
The Master: Did you never think, all those years standing beside me, to ask about that watch? Never? Did you never once think, not ever, that you could set me free?
Chantho: Chan, Im sorry, tho! Chan, Im so sorry!
The Master: You with your chan and your tho, driving me insane!
Chantho: Chan, Professor, please
The Master: THAT IS NOT MY NAME! The Professor was an invention; so perfect a disguise that I forgot who I am.
Chantho: Chan, then who are you, tho?!?
The Master: I am the Master!
Screw waiting until SciFi airs the episodes. :-)
Best episode ever, though, was Blink.
Reply
Chantho: Chan, Im sorry, tho! Chan, Im so sorry!
The Master: You with your chan and your tho, driving me insane!
Chantho: Chan, Professor, please
The Master: THAT IS NOT MY NAME! The Professor was an invention; so perfect a disguise that I forgot who I am.
Chantho: Chan, then who are you, tho?!?
The Master: I am the Master!
Screw waiting until SciFi airs the episodes. :-)
Best episode ever, though, was Blink.
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 6:00AM (Unverified) said
"Chan/ I get the feeling you want to ask me something, Commander /tho.
If anyone can tell me what that's from, I'll be impressed."
The episode 'Utopia' of this season of Doctor Who, I believe: the Master's assistant (she did look quite a bit like the alien in this video, it's true).
If anyone can tell me what that's from, I'll be impressed."
The episode 'Utopia' of this season of Doctor Who, I believe: the Master's assistant (she did look quite a bit like the alien in this video, it's true).
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 7:54AM fragmit said
Wow
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 12:31PM aiusepsi said
I had this game on my radar ever since I heard it was by Bioware, I loved Knights of the Old Republic.
That trailer has just confirmed that I need this game.
Only trouble I can see is the problem of the uncanny valley. It looks so real that the slight problems start to grate, like when they make bad gestures or the acting is slightly off.
That trailer has just confirmed that I need this game.
Only trouble I can see is the problem of the uncanny valley. It looks so real that the slight problems start to grate, like when they make bad gestures or the acting is slightly off.
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 8:08AM (Unverified) said
That looks awesome graphically. And I like dialogue options.
All in all this is one of the reasons why I love my 360 Elite!
All in all this is one of the reasons why I love my 360 Elite!
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 8:51AM sand0789 said
That is probably the most boring conversation in the entire game, and it was still amazing. WOW.
It is cool how they get the facial animation to work. It isn't purely scripted movements generated by the engine. The engine actually makes the mouth follow the words from the .wmv file. Their emotion is thrown in as a script, which is also modified by previous decisions, which modifies the way they hold their face. Check out this video and fast forward to the 5 minute mark.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/57016.html
One thing I find funny about this game as it relates to fanboy bickering on this site: This is the kind of game where, if it was a PS3 exclusive, fanboys would scream that this is the proof that you need bluray. This probably is the biggest game of this gen so far, and it is DVD9 exclusive. Kinda ironic, I guess.
It is cool how they get the facial animation to work. It isn't purely scripted movements generated by the engine. The engine actually makes the mouth follow the words from the .wmv file. Their emotion is thrown in as a script, which is also modified by previous decisions, which modifies the way they hold their face. Check out this video and fast forward to the 5 minute mark.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/57016.html
One thing I find funny about this game as it relates to fanboy bickering on this site: This is the kind of game where, if it was a PS3 exclusive, fanboys would scream that this is the proof that you need bluray. This probably is the biggest game of this gen so far, and it is DVD9 exclusive. Kinda ironic, I guess.
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 2:25PM (Unverified) said
Dammit, now I know that the ambassador is in the Casino, upstairs!
Reply
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 3:57PM (Unverified) said
I think you meant .wav files. If those conversations were video files, then maybe there would be a purpose for blu-ray (hides under bed).
Reply
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 9:27AM Burritoclock said
DAMN THIS GAME!!! THERE ARE TOO MANY GOOD GAMES COMING OUT, I WILL HAVE TO QUIT WORKING!!!! ARGH!!!!
Seriously, if this sucks half the time away from me that Oblivion did then I'm screwed.
Seriously, if this sucks half the time away from me that Oblivion did then I'm screwed.
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 9:58AM (Unverified) said
"Sounds dangerous...and lonely (wink, wink)" LOL
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 10:06AM jynxycat said
This game is going to ruin my life for many weeks after launch :l
That aside, Half-Life 2 has an incredible lip syncing / facial expression engine in it that looks just as good as this. It's even able to take any inserted audio, and make the character's lips move accordingly. They took lines written in Russian, French as well as others, and the characters lips moved realistically, on the fly.
The thing Mass Effect has a leg up on is the newer graphics engine, so the textures look sharper. But that's a given, considering HL2 came out years ago.
That aside, Half-Life 2 has an incredible lip syncing / facial expression engine in it that looks just as good as this. It's even able to take any inserted audio, and make the character's lips move accordingly. They took lines written in Russian, French as well as others, and the characters lips moved realistically, on the fly.
The thing Mass Effect has a leg up on is the newer graphics engine, so the textures look sharper. But that's a given, considering HL2 came out years ago.
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 11:51AM sand0789 said
I must direct you to my earlier comment (just a few back). Bioware has done the exact same thing with facial features here. They can input any .wmv file and the characters will move their lips to it.
In addition, their are dozens of expressions that can modify the responses. Characters that dislike you will have a scorn when they say what they would have said with a smile if they liked you.
In the video I post earlier, the dev showed how Shepard could respond as angry initially, then towards the end of his response he puts on a fake, sarcastic smile. It is pretty crazy.
Using this, they are able to easily add tons of variety to the dialogue and how it is delivered. This conversation system is truly amazing. It takes what Half Life did, as far as facial modeling following the audio file, and puts it on steroids.
I mean, it is absolutely fucking sick. If you like RPG's, the 360 has an absolutely insane RPG lineup this fall with Mass Effect at the head of the pack. I can't wait.
Reply
In addition, their are dozens of expressions that can modify the responses. Characters that dislike you will have a scorn when they say what they would have said with a smile if they liked you.
In the video I post earlier, the dev showed how Shepard could respond as angry initially, then towards the end of his response he puts on a fake, sarcastic smile. It is pretty crazy.
Using this, they are able to easily add tons of variety to the dialogue and how it is delivered. This conversation system is truly amazing. It takes what Half Life did, as far as facial modeling following the audio file, and puts it on steroids.
I mean, it is absolutely fucking sick. If you like RPG's, the 360 has an absolutely insane RPG lineup this fall with Mass Effect at the head of the pack. I can't wait.
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 12:43PM (Unverified) said
Sheperd is gonna get some Bluegirl tail!
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 2:11PM chargen said
It's the same Bioware conversation from BG, KoTor, NWN and JE (info, mission, I'm a jerk, let's flirt), just now you can watch it being performed by Uncanny Valley-people. That and the choices seem even less important since many choices are equivalent, some characters can be removed, etc ["Can I go with you?"]
["Yes" "Sure" "OK"]
["Yes" "Sure" "OK"]
Posted: Jul 19th 2007 10:23PM (Unverified) said
Man, he was a dick to the poor blue lady.
>.>
>.>
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