ARCS - The 12 Principles of Animation in Games

Let's talk about the 12 Principles of Animation! What are Arcs, and how have they been used in the animation of games like Nier Automata, Smash Bros, Horizon Forbidden West and Elden Ring?

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Written and produced by Daniel Floyd

Special thanks to:
-Carrie Floyd
-Soraya Een Hajji
-Eric Luhta
-Ryan Duffin
-Andrew Butterfield

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♪ "Sunsets and Seashells (9 PM)" by Ben Briggs, ectogemia

♪ "Legend of Lorule" by Mikel

♪ "Song of Time" by Bknapp

♪ "Aquatic Ambiance" by Koreskape

♪ "Ice Cave Chant" by arthur x medic, Ben Briggs

♪ "Talus" by Mikel

♪ "Cerulean Dancefloor (Kevin Villecco Remix)" by RoBKTA, Kevin Villecco

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0:00 - Introduction

0:19 - Arcs

4:03 - Arcs in Game Animation

7:18 - Wrapping Up

#animation #gamedev #newframeplus

[amateraceon]

After the video on FighterZ and Guilty Gear, it was only a matter of time until Dan talked about how the Arc system works.

[Daeranilen]

This clarifies so much about why walk cycles are actually really, really hard for beginner animators.

[thunderthebright]

Wow, it feels like it's been years since the last one of these!
*checks playlist*
Uhhhh

[michaelhudson]

I'm happy Dan has continued his arc through the 12 Principles.

[Artista_Frustrado]

something about Sephiroth getting his cool walk interrupted by Daisy of all people somehow feels very right
also yes, knowing when to break physical rules does lead to good visual comedy

[phencer]

I know this was only mentioned briefly but I love the point that physics objects attached to a character can help smooth over transition animations! I hadn't considered that and it's very cool to think about.

[EclipsedVision]

DUDE I'M SO HYPED FOR THIS!
this is still my favorite animation based series
I wasn't expecting another episode until after the FF series was finished so it's an awesome surprise to see it again!
This channel and especially this series has taught me so many things and it was absolutely a huge factor in helping me land my job.

[Senumunu]

i was honestly so impressed
with how appealing just the running animation looked in Nier Automata.
Its a combination of smooth and robotic bcs of that straight, unmoving spine.

[TheOnlyToblin]

4:25 The large, overexaggerated swings is something I often gripe with (as an actual HEMA fighter), but while they're unrealistic and would get the character killed against even a moderately skilled opponent, they do really, really help in making attacks readable and above all: counterable.

If the opponents didn't telegraph and overswing, you'd need the same reflexes and knowledge to win as you would in a real swordfight. Only now you're disconnected from the body, from a different perspective, making it virtually impossible to fight in a video game.

So while they're *so wrong* from a real fighter perspective, they do form an important element of making games playable at all.

[Gazlives-ueci]

This channel REALLY deserves more views than it has. I'm not an animator, but the editing keeps me involved (so many games were shown, it is incredible).

[brandonyohn]

As a non animator (like most people) I'm learning so much from this series! I'm glad to see another one uploaded!

[vdate]

It's here!

(I seriously responded to the notification with asnap-to-attention motion that probably should have merited an MGS-style '!' popup in a sillier world.)

Nonsense notwithstanding - thank you kindly! I adore this series, and I'm delighted to see it return.

[pedroscoponi]

The idea that naturalistic motion has arcs and mechanical motions are stiffer and straighter is so ingrained into our heads at this point, I figure subverting it can be very useful for visual storytelling.

I thought a lot of Evangelion EVAs during that section - the way they move helps sell the vibe of a mech that was built on top of what was ( is? 😨) an organic creature. Even when they're unambiguously heroic, it still feels raw and violent and _off._ It's impossible to forget that these machines these children are piloting aren't machines at all. Obviously it's more than just the arcs but I still think it contributes!

[jaydenliberty]

I rise from the dead to finally add a new video to my “principles of animation” playlist

[dragonnyte]

It's the infamous less than 8 minutes video! I'd love to see a behind the scenes or something where you show roughly how long those first couple minutes were to make (if you're comfortable with sharing of course).

Regardless, the video is amazing! This series has been very interesting and helpful for me as someone who's starting to dabble into animation for fun. Thank you for spending your free time to make them!

[imtonysopro]

That Eureka Seven reboot looks sick 5:25

[gheleorm]

2B 's animations : Such Style
😇

I guess it requiers a fair chunck of time and effort to make it up!

[AVdE]

Yessss, the 12 principles of animation are BACK!

[jonathancoit]

As always, these are fantastic tools for explaining the principles. A really master class on what the principles are and how they work. Looking forward to the rest!

[peggyliepmann]

I'm reminded of a video I saw recently, of a dance instructor going through a routine twice, to demonstrate the importance of "flow".

It was basically what you describe here: without flow, each movement was stiff and disconnected from each other, going through the motions without much personality. While with flow, her movements were more seamless and natural.

It also looked like it was easier to do, since she wasn't losing momentum and the energy from one move went into the next.