Report Kinuko Featured in the Game Career Guide 2014 Annual

[Cellsai]

Every year the good folks at Gamasutra.com release a free digital booklet called the Game Career Guide packed with articles written by veterans of game design and development explaining the processes that go into making many of your favorite games. This year Lab Zero's own Kinuko was invited to write her thoughts on 2D animation in a game development context.

Mariel covers all of the basic points that have gone into the animation of Skullgirls over the last 5 years, highlighting in particular things like the importance of distinct silhouettes so that movement doesn't feel cluttered and can be instantly understood by both players. Another point of interest for her is how game animation is a very different beast from animating full featured pieces, with certain rules and techniques from typical animation needing to be pushed to the sidelines to work within the technical limitations of games like Skullgirls.

The piece is definitely worth checking out if you're interested in the work that goes on under the hood in Skullgirls. If you're interested in game development in general the entire annual covers a huge range of topics from many well known veterans of the industry. Mariel's article is on page 29 if you just want to skip ahead though! You can find the book on GameCareerGuide.com.
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[Emuchu]

One of the reasons I'm so stoked for Guilty Gear Xrd is that they're implementing these 2D animation techniques to 3D models. The snappiness behind these techniques are just lovely! In the SFIV era, I was worried that the industry as a whole was moving to bury 2D for good, so I'm grateful that the 2D fighter flag is still flying strong.

 

[Kawalorn]

One of the reasons I'm so stoked for Guilty Gear Xrd is that they're implementing these 2D animation techniques to 3D models. (...) I'm grateful that the 2D fighter flag is still flying strong.

I can't help but wonder if the pun was intended.

Awesome for Kinuko. Everyone in LZ deserves a lot of recognition.

 

[WrestlerGuile]

Ah, yes! Just what I needed.

 

[Skullgirlsfanboy]

I'll read it for sure! (Eventually...)

 

[nice_nate]

Thanks for the sharing. Would have never found it on my own! I've tried my hand at animation and I have nothing but respect for those who commit their time and effort into mastering their craft. Good article.