What goes on behind the curtain of gaming studios - do they have futuristic robots like in Detroit Become Human working on these games?
Last week we had the privilege of touring the new Quantic Dream studio in Paris.
As long-time fans of games that Quantic Dream have shipped, it was a dream come true. What goes on behind the curtain of gaming studios - do they brew potions and ta-da, the game is magically made - do they have futuristic robots like in Detroit Become Human working on these games? We all wanted to know. MG even created the A Day In The Life Series - where we interviewed different industry insiders to garner what exactly happens to create these phenomenal games.
Esports events have been attracting larger audiences and generating more excitement than ever before.
We started the day by being greeted by Richard, who we (Alan and I) met at TwitchCon Amsterdam – having fangirled over Detroit: Become Human and Alan fanboying over the New Star Wars game – as of yet unreleased, Richard kindly invited us for this tour. We looked up in awe as we walked in to see the giant Quantic Dream written on the glass windows. We were ushered down one at a time to a lovely breakfast set up for us.
Starting the tour, we had none other than the CEO join us
There were other content creators. Some we knew, others that we introduced ourselves to, milling about with snacks in hand. In, among the crowd were developers – their blue Quantic Dream tops giving them away. It was nice having a casual conversation with them – it was a casual and laid-back atmosphere.
Starting the tour, we had none other than the CEO join us and give a speech about the new studio and upcoming games. He then led us to a spacious room where they recorded motion capture. For those of us who watch CGI-heavy films, we’ve all seen our favourite actors dressed up in green and talking to a stick – well, this is the place all that imagination takes place. One hundred fifty-four cameras in total were set up to capture these movements, and talented artists would turn this into some of our favourite characters.
All of these intricate details added to our appreciation of the amount of effort that goes into game development.
Afterwards, we were shown the props, which was absolutely incredible! Despite their appearances, these props are actually quite weighty, and we were told that this is to help the actors get into character. For instance, if a scene requires lifting a heavy bag, having a heavy prop makes it easier to embody the role. All of these intricate details added to our appreciation of the amount of effort that goes into game development.
Not only did we participate in motion capture, but we were also taken to the face capture room where we all got to try it out.
Not only did we participate in motion capture, but we were also taken to the face capture room where we all got to try it out. The number of cameras in the room was incredible and the CEO explained in detail how they capture every detail on the actors’ faces and use the images in the game.
Our next stop was the sound studio – which was an incredible experience. Music and gaming have gone hand in hand since the beginning of time. The importance of audio in gaming was demonstrated with mastery. Sound engineers demonstrated how every sound, from the faintest rustle of leaves to the thunderous roars of a spacecraft launching into space, is meticulously crafted to immerse players in the game’s world fully.
We were taken to a large room where we got a sneak peek of an upcoming game – that’s all I can reveal for now! But we’re definitely thrilled about the projects that Quantic Dream is working on.
We took a quick break for lunch before we were able to actually playtest two different unreleased games. Observing players interacting with an unfinished game offered a unique perspective on the iterative nature of game development, where each element is refined and fine-tuned to perfection.
For me personally, the highlight of the tour was meeting the individuals responsible for creating these wonderful games. It was great speaking to them; they shared their challenges, successes and experiences, giving us a glimpse into the human side of game development. Hearing about their personal journeys and observing their genuine enthusiasm gave us a deeper appreciation for the creativity and dedication that fuels the gaming industry. This is to all the Dreamers, keep chasing your dreams.
I am Annabel or creativelyanzy as I’m known online! I am the founder of Melanin Gamers: a gaming community that promotes diversity and inclusivity in the video games industry, with a special focus on content creators; whiles also providing a safe space for people of colour to come together and game
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