Following earlier news that Rockstar had chosen NaturalMotion's procedural animation package Euphoria for use in several next gen products, the company has confirmed that the software is being used for Grand Theft Auto IV, as showcased in its latest trailer.
The company sent word that the latest "Looking for the Special Someone" trailer, captured in real-time from actual console hardware, is running Rockstar's proprietary R.A.G.E. engine, using NaturalMotion's software for its character animation.
Euphoria allows in-game characters to behave, says the company, in a realistic manner without the restrictions and limitations of more traditional animation techniques. Characters move and adapt realistically to their given situations on the fly, resulting in a series of unique experiences and payoffs.
Based on NaturalMotion’s DMS technology, Euphoria uses the CPUs of next-generation platforms to synthesize interactive animations on the fly, using fast simulations of the game character’s actual motor control, muscles and biomechanics.
When the partnership was first announced, NaturalMotion CEO Torsten Reil commented, "Euphoria is about giving people an interactive experience they have never seen before. We now have the processing power to simulate humans, and the possibilities for games are endless. In Rockstar, we have found a partner that shares this vision, and is renowned for creating some of the most ground-breaking and immersive games in the industry."
