Lecture on Procedural Animation in Rain World

Introduction

• Presented by July Awesome and James
• Focuses on procedural animation in Rain World
• Rain World: survival action platformer
  • Player as slug cat in large ecosystem
  • AI creatures have agency similar to the player
  • Creatures operate both on-screen and off-screen

Procedural Animation in Rain World

• Non-traditional animation (not frame-by-frame or rig-based)
• Interactive code determines visual movements
• Example Creatures:
  • Vulture: A dual-mode creature, can climb and fly
  • Centipede: Bug-like, moves with inverse kinematics
  • Reindeer: Large and non-hostile, climbable
  • Worm Graft: Hostile but stationary
  • Lantern Life: Provides illumination in dark environments
  • Leviathan: Combines eel, centipede, whale, dangerous in water
  • Miros Birds: Noisy, half-mechanical, hunt in packs
  • Lizard: Common antagonist, various colors, cooperative
  • Scavenger: Highly intelligent, uses tools, similar to player in capability

Importance of Procedural Animation

• Creates a large, natural, open world ecosystem
• AI behavior is transparent to the player, enhancing immersion
• Allows for visible cause and effect in creature behavior
• Adds personality to AI creatures through dynamic reactions

Technique Overview

• Separation of Physics and Cosmetics
  • Ensures performance and control
  • Simplified physics for off-screen behavior
  • Complex cosmetics for on-screen visuals
• Pragmatism in Programming
  • Art-driven approach to programming
  • Focus on achieving desired visual outcomes over perfect implementation
  • Use of simple physics simulations to achieve complex visual effects

AI and Animation Integration

• AI and Animation are merged
  • AI makes movement decisions (locomotion AI)
  • Example: Vulture's wing flap based on environment
• Example Creature Creation: Daddy Longlegs
  • Uses pathfinding, simple stick-and-bead physics for tentacles
  • Decisions on where to grab and release for climbing
  • Gravity simulation based on the number of tentacle grips

Practical Advice

• Encourages cross-disciplinary skills
  • Artists should learn programming
  • Programmers should understand art
  • Combined knowledge leads to better design solutions

Conclusion

• Invites questions and further interaction
• Emphasizes the value of home-brewed physics and broad platform reach for the game