Facial expressions?

**Beiss** · August 09, 2006, 03:16 PM

I was just looking at one of the videos and I realized that the whole effect of having people do these advanced combat moves and stuff is completely ruined if the soldiers will keep the same facial expression throughout the battle. Some of the soldiers even smile!! (or their moustaches make them look as if they do)

If the game engine enables soldiers to become more and more bloodstained during a fight, it should enable soliders to make facial expressions by switching facial textures. I'm not expecting polygonal changes, but they seriously can't leave the soldiers looking completely apathetic to what they're doing, especially not when they're screaming like they do.

**Sponge** · August 09, 2006, 03:23 PM

Ill be hypnotised by the killing animations to even notice the faces lol

then again it would add more realism to the units, but it would take a bit of lag if it happened

**Barbarian-Bob** · August 09, 2006, 03:25 PM

Yes, facial expressions are actually in. I remember reading it in some thread with screenshots. I'll see if I can dig it up.

**Beiss** · August 09, 2006, 03:29 PM

If they do, it's not in the video I just saw, and it's dated 7/12... maybe they didn't think it had been perfected enough to include just yet. And maybe they have now! Post all you got, bobbie.

**Barbarian-Bob** · August 09, 2006, 03:42 PM

Ok, I couldn't find it by searching, but I clearly remember it being discussed, and also the picture being used as an example. Here it is:

http://i.i.com.com/cnet.g2/images/20..._screen006.jpg

Notice the guy to the far right. He looks like he's shouting. Battle rage? Fear? I don't know.

I'm sorry I couldn't find the thread. Maybe someone else that took part in the discussion can find it and give a link.

Edit: Found a text that seems to acknowledge that there are different soldier emotions:

"These features and more – such as an improved siege engine, even more unique units and unit functions, 9 new factions bringing the number to 21 factions in total, personalized unit behavior such as facial expressions depending upon situation and unique livery are all to be found here. Units will survey the battleground, grimace in confidence at the sight of near victory and sob in fear at imminent defeat."

Taken from here: http://www.clubskill.com/game_news/2...02006%20-%20PC

**Beiss** · August 09, 2006, 04:20 PM

Sounds promising, but I'd like to see it in action first. Thanks though, bob.

**Byte** · August 09, 2006, 05:42 PM

I suppose there is going to be some model streching to get this effect. If different textures are used to simulate this then im gonna need a new cpu upgrade.

**The Mongol** · August 09, 2006, 05:59 PM

Holy crap, I didn't know they were doing facial expressions.

I can't wait to see a battallion of my Zweihanders charging and warcrying.

**Scarlett Letterman** · August 09, 2006, 07:13 PM

Jeez facial expressions? They better have the AI hammered out cause if its still flawed yet they had time and people to do frikin facial expressions, i mean cmon.

**Beiss** · August 11, 2006, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by Byte

I suppose there is going to be some model streching to get this effect. If different textures are used to simulate this then im gonna need a new cpu upgrade.

What are you talking about?

Changing, even animated textures have been around since Wolfenstein 3D, if not even longer. They doesn't require any processor power at all! Plus, like I said, if soldiers can get bloodier throughout the battle, then why would changing facial expressions be any more complicated?

**Kanfoosh** · August 09, 2006, 07:16 PM

You do know that they are working on the AI until the release dont you?

**Zarekk** · August 09, 2006, 07:45 PM

Wonder if they will start crying just before they are finished off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**mike007** · August 09, 2006, 10:45 PM

In that screen the angle is not good enough to judge if he is shouting or not, but i dont think he is & i highly doubte they will put in facial movements.

Already we have seen finishing animations without any change to the face & if thats the only screen you think youve seen it in then IMO the feature will not be in the game.

If it was, dont you think that would be one of their main selling points?

**Valerius Maximus** · August 10, 2006, 01:26 AM

seems unlikely that there would be 5-6000 individual soldiers with their own facial expressions in a battle, unless they all have 1 expression for charging, retreating,...

**Barbarian-Bob** · August 10, 2006, 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by Valerius Maximus

seems unlikely that there would be 5-6000 individual soldiers with their own facial expressions in a battle, unless they all have 1 expression for charging, retreating,...

Yes, this is probably what they will do. We didn't actually expect individual faces for EVERY soldier, did we? Besides, alot of units have helmets anyway, so some units don't have to have expressions coded. It's not so demanding really. Imagine, you have max 40 units on the battlefield, 20 for each side (ok maybe more in 3 sided battles and more, but how often does that happen?) so you only have to set a facial texture for those 40 units every once in a while. I don't think that is so demanding on reasonably new CPUs.

**Vanquisher** · August 10, 2006, 01:58 AM

Yes, I think that the facial expressions will just be a number of tga's one for each "moral mode" such as eager or wavering, although i don't know how they will be able to transition the facial expressions smoothly without using a lot of CPU power, but I suppose you wouldn't notice if the FPS were above 30 or so anyway.