14 DAY TRIAL // The MotionScan technology that is being used in the upcoming L.A. Noire video game will put the whole interactive entertainment medium on the same realism level as movies or TV series, according to the two companies behind it, Team Bondi, the developer of the game, and Depth Analysis, the company behind the actual technology.
L.A. Noire has impressed a lot of people with its recent series of direct gameplay videos, showcasing 1940s Los Angeles filled with characters that have lifelike reactions, as well as faces that can mimic all sorts of small movements.
This is due to the new MotionScan technology, which uses 32 high-definition cameras to capture the face of the actors from various angles and then recreate it during the interrogation sequences in L.A. Noire.
While it's extremely impressive right now, both Team Bondi and Depth Analysis are firmly convinced that the technology can only be improved over time, with plenty of other features set to be incorporated in it in the near future, including the ability to film full body performances.
Heavy Rain creator David Cage criticized the technology for focusing only on the faces of actors and neglecting how their body behaves during gameplay.
"MotionScan embodies the future on a few levels," Team Bondi boss Brendan McNamara told UK magazine Develop. "Firstly, when this technology can capture full body performances, the level of realism will be hard to differentiate between game, film and television. That will make the gameplay experience pretty seamless from exposition to action."
Secondly, according to the executive, film makers will also be able to use footage from MotionScan in a variety of ways, as it allows them to completely change things like lighting or positions right from their editing suite, and not go back and film different sequences once more.
Team Bondi and Depth Analysis are working together to improve Motion Scan, as the technology is still in its early days, so gamers and industry members should expect lots of other stunning things to appear.
Until then, we'll be able to marvel at the technology on May 17, when L.A. Noire is released by Team Bondi and Rockstar for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.