COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Uncanny valley in virtual characters: Achieving photorealism in game characters (A research study on achieving photorealistic digital human in video games)
Creator:
Bin Mohd Zubir, Muhammad Aiman
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Interactive Design and Game Development
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Interactive Design and Game Development
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"The uncanny valley in virtual characters is a phenomenon that occurs in films, animation, and games, wherein things that look extremely similar to the human face, but with slight differences from the natural appearance or the natural movements and expressions of humans, are found to be disturbing, uncanny and revolting. This thesis will focus on the uncanny phenomena in real-time 3D characters as seen in video games. Basing on the uncanny valley phenomena in films and animation, video game creators take a different approach by considering performance in a real-time environment in order to achieve realism as seen in films. This thesis will research the history behind some of the big films, animation, and games that try to push the limit of digital humans; and analyze the cause and the solution used by the studios. The main aspects to validate the uncanny valley in this thesis include the look development pipeline, game engine performance, and animation pipeline. Based on the research conducted, the uncanny valley feelings were mostly caused by the subtle movement of the face. While taking into consideration the performance limitations in video games, the uncanny valley can be felt when the model is animated with expressions as analyzed in the literature. The uncanny valley phenomenon was validated through the visual component of this research where a 3D model was developed and tested with a real-time face capture in Unreal Engine 4 using Faceware technology."
Abstract:
Includes real-time digital face animation demonstrating uncanny valley characteristics
Abstract:
Keywords: uncanny valley, virtual characters, real-time, 3D characters, look development, face capture, Unreal Engine 4
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2019-03
Format:
1 text file (thesis) : PDF, 55 pages, illustrations (some color) + 1 animation (1 min, 30 sec.) : WMV, silent, color