Life’s been rather hectic of late, so my posts have been more sporadic than usual, but today I want to show you something that I think is quite wonderful. And no, I’m not going to tell you, I’m going to show you.
Have a look at these three screenshots and tell me what you see:
Yes, all three screenshots are computer generated. And yes, they are all from a game, but the amazing thing is the mirror.
I’ve been playing games of one sort or another for close to 20 years, and in all that time I’ve never seen a mirror used in any game I’ve ever played. Now, it may be that I’ve played the wrong sort of games, or it may be that mirrors use up too many resources, or… Whatever the reason, mirrors haven’t been a part of the graphics, and I have always felt the lack.
Reflections are such a fundamental part of how we see the world, and ourselves. Think about it. We catch sight of our reflection a hundred times a day – in mirrors, shop windows, highly polished tables, glossy cupboards, ponds, even spoons. They are everywhere in the real world, but not in the virtual world, and to me it feels odd. Like not having a shadow.
Remember when gaming graphics were so primitive that no one even dreamed of adding shadows? Now they’re commonplace in most games with high end graphics. I predict that one day soon, reflections will become just as commonplace as shadows because they add an almost subliminal element to our ability to immerse ourselves in a virtual environment.
For now, though, my friend George is the trail blazer in this area. The mirror is his, as is the game, and I think both are going to be quite extraordinary.
cheers
Meeks
July 30th, 2017 at 6:37 am
I’ve never thought about mirrors in games and animation. It’s amazing to me how far and real some computer generated images are. I can’t wait to see what happens with entertainment in the next 30 years. 🙂
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July 30th, 2017 at 7:51 am
-grin- me too, although I’ll probably be toothless by then. 😉
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July 28th, 2017 at 10:23 pm
A game we’re playing now has shadows that are actually used to in certain puzzles. The sun and moon actually move across the sky, there are phases of the moon, and there’s weather that affects game play. These are not the main part of the game, but they do add to the immersion.
So very different from the first game in the same series I played back in the 80s where the character was basically a green square you moved around.
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July 29th, 2017 at 8:44 am
Oh now this is interesting! Which game???
Final Fantasy XIV has shadows, weather and time of day but I’ve only come across those elements used in some of the high end gathering. And yes, the quality of the light during different parts of the day and the weather effects are some of the most beautiful aspects of the game, at least for me. 🙂
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July 30th, 2017 at 1:19 am
Zelda Breath of the Wild.
The sun rises and sets. The moon changes phases and rises and sets.
The temperature changes with time of the day, so at night, you have to put on warmer clothes in certain areas to avoid taking damage.
When it rains, climbing becomes difficult. When there’s a thunderstorm, you have to put away metal weapons or risk getting struck by lightening.
Very interesting how the environment plays into the game.
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July 30th, 2017 at 7:53 am
Wow…just wow. I’m looking Zelda up right now. Thank you!
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July 30th, 2017 at 8:02 am
-cries- it’s only on the Nintendo Switch/Wii. Ah well, maybe for Christmas.:(
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July 31st, 2017 at 10:19 pm
Hopefully then! DH is a lover of RPGs, and he says it’s one of the best he’s played in a while. Called it a family-friendly Skyrim.
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August 1st, 2017 at 8:18 pm
I mentioned Zelda to another friend and he said it was one of the reasons he wanted a Switch as well. Sadly the Offspring wasn’t interested. 😦
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July 30th, 2017 at 8:48 am
That’s one of the games that made me want to buy a Switch.
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July 31st, 2017 at 10:17 pm
Truly, it’s awesome. We’ve gotten so many hours of gameplay Breath of the Wild, and it’s family friendly. My oldest child loves watching it!
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August 1st, 2017 at 8:19 pm
Don’t tell me any more. My Offspring isn’t interested and I couldn’t just buy it for myself. So unfair.
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July 28th, 2017 at 9:01 pm
As mirrors can be useful in storytelling, I can see how they might work in games adding new possibilities to the action!
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July 29th, 2017 at 8:41 am
Yes! And not just to the action. The mmo I’m playing at the moment has a very strong storyline that’s integral to the game. I could easily see a reflection of some sort providing a view of something, or perhaps just a hint of something that could be expanded on later.
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July 29th, 2017 at 6:38 pm
Main character to use mirrors to be able to see shadow creatures before getting the special equipment?
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July 28th, 2017 at 6:46 pm
You reeeeally liked that mirror. I was more impressed by how the wall can catch light from the environment than the mirror 😀
If you walk close to it while your character catches bright light from the window, it reflects on the wall.
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July 28th, 2017 at 7:29 pm
-grin- Yes, I reeeeeeally like the mirror, but now I’m going to have to go see that double reflection!
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