Euphoria (software)

Euphoria
Developer(s)NaturalMotion
Operating system
TypeMotion engine, human physics engine
LicenseProprietary
WebsiteNaturalMotion.com

Euphoria is a game animation middleware created by NaturalMotion based on Dynamic Motion Synthesis, NaturalMotion's proprietary technology for animating 3D characters on-the-fly "based on a full simulation of the 3D character, including body, muscles and motor nervous system".[1] Instead of using predefined animations, the characters' actions and reactions are synthesized in real-time; they are different every time, even when replaying the same scene. While it is common for current video games to use limp "ragdolls" for animations generated on the fly, Euphoria employed a more complex method to animate the entirety of physically bound objects within the game environment.[2] The engine was to be used in an Indiana Jones game[3] that was later cancelled. According to its web site, Euphoria ran on the Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS and Android platforms and was compatible with all commercial physics engines.

A press release that was enclosed with the second trailer eventually confirmed that Grand Theft Auto IV is the first of Rockstar's games to feature Euphoria.[4][5] Red Dead Redemption is their second game to use this engine. The Star Wars titles, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and The Force Unleashed II use Euphoria, as do games based on the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE) including Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2. Euphoria is integrated into the source code of RAGE.[6] In 2017, NaturalMotion announced it would end licensing of Euphoria, along with its other technologies, to concentrate on mobile games.[7]

  1. ^ "NaturalMotion's FAQ page" (under "What is Dynamic Motion Synthesis?"). Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  2. ^ Castro, Juan (10 May 2006). "E3 2006: Indiana Jones Eyes-on". IGN.
  3. ^ Dobson, Jason (27 April 2006). "Gamasutra - The Art & Business of Making Games". www.gamasutra.com.
  4. ^ "Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer 2 Launched!". GTA4.net. 28 June 2007. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  5. ^ Boyer, Brandon (29 June 2007). "Product: Grand Theft Auto IV Using NaturalMotion's Euphoria". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  6. ^ McKeand, Kirk (12 February 2017). "Nine years later, one feature in GTA4 has never been bettered - here's its story". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  7. ^ Chapple, Craig (8 June 2017). "NaturalMotion winding down commercial tech licensing business for third-party developers".