Monster Hunter Wilds’ motion capture actors look like they have one of the best jobs ever, because yes, there are actual humans behind those monster and Palico animations

by

Monster Hunter Wilds has arrived, and if you’ve been relishing your moments with your adorable Palico companions while hacking and slashing monsters, don’t forget that a group of real, authentic individuals are responsible for their motion capture animations. These people seem to have one of the most enjoyable jobs imaginable.

Previously, PlayStation Access shared a video offering a glimpse into the extensive work done during motion capture sessions for Capcom’s newest action RPG. What’s fascinating is that it isn’t just the hunters being motion captured – this is shown by a man waving a foam sword and jumping onto a mattress (not included in the game’s final version, surprisingly enough). Moreover, behind the adorable Palicoes, there are individuals involved as well.

Instead of using real cats for motion capture, as some developers do (like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 with its four-legged horse actor), Capcom opted to have human actors portray the Felynes. These individuals mimicked actions like scratching imaginary ears and waving paws, which brings a touch of humor when grown adults in motion capture suits embody these cute companions.

One Reddit user remarks, “These creatures capturing your adored Palicoes are based on real-life movements,” a reminder for those enchanted by the thought of their furry companions as living, fluffy friends, that they are in fact, digitally rendered.

In other places, it’s likely that someone is playing the role of the monsters themselves. You can even witness the animated Doshaguma, resembling a lion, appear as well. It’s entertaining to watch someone moving around on all fours, making roaring sounds and waving their arms, but it’s undeniable that there’s real talent involved – the parallel between the actor and the game video is astonishing.

In our Monster Hunter Wilds review, we declared the latest action RPG as the “zenith of the series,” and its “varied array of novel and classic monsters” significantly contributes to this acclaim. However, considering the humans who create them adds a unique perspective, it’s worth noting.

Read More

2025-03-06 16:58