Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

View Other Content

View other media →

Search Articles

First crawl - Character update

Sep 03 2012 11:15 AM | Guest in Golf Dev Blog

With a bit more colour in his cheeks, our golfer is slowly coming to life. Mike pointed out that this guy looks a bit squat, which is an interesting observation and brings up a good point.

With a bit more colour in his cheeks, our golfer is slowly coming to life. Mike pointed out that this guy looks a bit squat, which is an interesting observation and brings up a good point. Our game will definitely have different sized people with different swings. I'd like users to choose their proportions to match their 'Ideal golfer' or to replicate themselves.

There are still issues to resolve, further work painting the textures ( behind the ear for example ) , and contact shadows to add ( in between shirt and skin ) But I like to share the process with you throughout.

Once the whole character is finished, I normally colour balance everything. Making sure it looks good on PC monitors, TV's. Basically the target platforms. It's important this step isn't overlooked as while I might have colour correct monitors, most players will not. It's better it looks fantastic for 99% of players.

An early skinning test shows us a few areas that need work, and others that are looking really good. It's important to do skinning tests throughout the animation process to test the rig and character are deforming in an accurate and anatomically correct way. One of the limitations we have developing for games is bone count, and the inability to add muscles that deform the skin like developing for films. There are tricks we can employ such as corrective morphs and twist bones though, and that is the next stage in the process.

559 Comments

Lasse Thid

Sep 03 2012 04:06 PM

Nice work Joe. Great colors and textures.

Volker

Sep 03 2012 05:28 PM

Wow, this looks great. Will there be a chance to edit the golfer, so that he might look like my twin brother?

Daz Webb (Dazmaniac)

Sep 03 2012 07:22 PM

Personally I can only be impressed by what is being turned out so far. Loving the evolution of the character animation. Impressed by even the small details like the Under Armour belt buckle, and embroidered effect Footjoy 'FJ' logo on the glove. What level of character editing will you be looking at Joe? Appreciate this is early days, but just wondered what you had in mind. Also, I'm sure the characters will also be getting appropriately sized golf clubs, so that not all the irons are the same length and the woods, hybrid's and rescue's all have the appropriate shaft length and club head size. Look forward to future updates. Blog on.

Guest

Sep 03 2012 07:34 PM

Thanks Lasse, Volker, Daz. To answer your questions. Absolutely there will be a chance to edit the golfer. The first stage is to build two characters, a male and a female. That way everyone can enjoy the game, then piece by piece we start adding in things like character customization. That's not to say it's not primarily in my mind whilst creating him. I have made the shoes customizable in that it's very easy to change colors, logos, and still have all the nice shading. Same with the glove and outfit. You will be able to swap out pants, shirt, shorts and much more. For the face customization,I have a few ideas that I'm toying with. I will share more in a few weeks when I've done the first steps towards that system. For now, think Eve Online / Fifa 12. As this game is developed with the community though, If someone has a particular type of beard, or facial hair. Perhaps even a particular type of glasses that without it they could not recreate themself, I'd hope we could build those in on a request basis. Eventually having a large library and characters that are really distinct.

Mike H

Sep 03 2012 07:58 PM

It looks really awesome. I am really curious to see the customization you will be able to add especially with clothing and accessories. That is one thing Links lacked. Even though you could edit them it took a lot of work and knowledge that many didnt have. Are you limited to what products you can show? For example are you limited to just Titleist and Under Armour or will you be able to show all brands?

Daz Webb (Dazmaniac)

Sep 03 2012 10:54 PM

Just had a quick thought about changing shoe colour. Something along the lines of the Footjoy 'MyJoy' shoe designer would be as cool as. Being able to apply different colours to certain parts of he shoe give the option of both stylish and also wacky design schemes, lol.

fungolfer

Sep 05 2012 08:32 AM

Looks awesome to me. In Links 2003 we were able to add team and player names to the back of the shirts. This would be a great add if possible. Depends what kind of format the shirts and pants have, but this would be great to personalize the player. You guys really do a great job!

Daniel

Sep 05 2012 09:02 AM

Amazing Joe, absolutely amazing.

Fran

Sep 06 2012 11:45 AM

I don't understand all the techno talk but I know that the golfer and his motions through the swing look aboslutely terrific.

john

Sep 29 2012 03:05 AM

great job joe looks good

Guest

Dec 20 2012 01:30 AM

The LPGA tour is gaining in popularity. The set of animations for Links 2003 does not offer many female or LPGA players. I think it would be good if this new game made some progress.

Guest

Dec 20 2012 03:47 AM

Hi,How do i get started and play?

Andrew

Dec 20 2012 07:38 PM

You cant yet. Our kickstarter will launch on Friday (Fingers Crossed) and when the kickstarter funding period ends we will be releasing an initial alpha build... At least that is the plan.

Guest

Dec 20 2012 10:22 PM

What was the Links 2003 animation for Annika Sorenstam then? I appreciate she has now retired, but when the game was launched, she was on tour.

Guest

Dec 20 2012 10:23 PM

AJ, How long are you initially looking at for the Kickstarter period?

SteveP

Dec 21 2012 03:59 AM

Cool, all looks the goods so far. Looking forward to throwing a few $$ your way even if its just for keeping the dream of a new good golf game going

Guest

Dec 24 2012 01:38 PM

Well I´m impressed,I´ve pledged some dough,now amaze me.......please

☠InDaSkies☠

May 21 2013 02:52 PM

Wow that looks awesome......Can't wait to try it!

przvwktpu

Jun 02 2013 06:41 PM

How you can Network, Play Online for free Holdem poker And Make Cash

If you're looking for free poker online then you need surely arrived at correct place. There are numerous sites online that are giving no cost enjoy regarding online poker. You can perform these kind of poker online games with folks all over the globe, you can meet new people or even poker pals and you'll have an entirely local community of people you can play online poker along with before long!

An execllent good thing about taking part in is basically that you get to refine your talent ahead of snorkeling into the paid out texas holdem. You can study via other people who may also be actively playing for fun and have suggestions of people which take into account these to be experts. It will be possible to practice while you enjoy making friends online websites whom love to play at the same time.

Here are a couple of the greatest on-line poker testimonials in order to pick which is best for you!

Celebration Online poker * If you wish to play online poker right here you must first acquire the software they offer and then will continue to create an account. You may then sign in together with your brand-new accounts and commence enjoying . You are able to needless to say perform the real deal money in case you so want but you can easily play at no cost and revel in meeting as well as chatting with people as an alternative.

Skies Poker - There are many free of charge poker sites that will allow both United kingdom and also People in america to become listed on and enjoy. Moreover they enable men and women all over the world to connect to as well as study from the other. Many of these would be the best rated online poker suites about and you'll certainly enjoy playing within all of them and meeting all the intriguing men and women at the same time.

Betfair Online poker -- Betfair poker offers competitions along with wonderful repeated contests that you can participate in with. All you need to obtain the application as well as sign up your account using them. When you have carried out that you could start off enjoying your preferred game of online poker! See all the different dining tables and pick which 1 you think will be fortuitous. Then you definitely participate in Online blackjack because of the other folks having a great time like you!

Because these websites supply free poker that you can enjoy you will probably don't have any down payment holdem poker at the same time. This particular is successful when you will decide to maneuver over from the totally free enjoy for the paid for enjoy.

Exercise from the free suites and you will probably soon end up being actively playing for funds and also taking part in for the lots of money and also ideally winning!