Codemasters Studios and Image Metrics team up

Facial animation firm Image Metrics has been signed up by Codemasters Studios to provide facial animation for the developer’s upcoming Operation Flashpoint 2.

Image Metrics’ proprietary markerless facial mocap technology means that the firm will be able to deliver 262 seconds of animation within a month, split into 57 shots – a short timeframe the company puts down to its ‘automated’ workflow.

"Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising will take players closer to war then they’ve ever come before," said Brant Nicholas, senior producer at Codemasters Studios.

"To achieve that end, we turned to Image Metrics’ facial animation solutions because of their unique ability to perfectly capture the range of emotions that soldiers experience in combat."

Mike Starkenburg, chief operating officer of Image Metrics, added: "With Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising, Codemasters has set out to capture the gritty reality and human drama of warfare. We’re honored that Codemasters has chosen our facial animation technology to help achieve that realism and to further immerse players in the gameplay experience."