Michael Brown

As a freelance rigger, I need to make sure my builds have a lot of flexibility. So I've recently reworked my lid modules to add variable joint counts. By utilizing a curve-based output I can changed the amount of joints used based on the needs of the project. Higher joint counts for fidelity and control, lower counts for simplicity and optimization. Or I can test and iterate to find a happy middle ground. So animators using my rigs on film or game projects can enjoy the same features, such as: - Automated lid follow with eye movement - Main controls to position the lids through translation and sculpt the curvature with rotation/scale  - Secondary controls for finer detail (If there are enough joints to support it) - Manual or automated blinking. Animate controls, or activate the automated meet point between your posed lids for a perfect seal I've been using iterations of this system over my last few projects, both commercials and games. The core elements of this system have been floating around in my head since 2018, so it's been great to finally put it to the test. 

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It's not often we can have an "Exclusive Interview" at Deconstructor of Fun, but this was the case for this interview with Aaron Loeb, President of LEGO Digital Play. Just ahead of Gamescom, Aaron and I sat down to hear how his new team is building the future of play. In February, the LEGO brand launched LEGO Digital Play, a new venture with a mission to create bold, creative, and joyful digital experiences for kids and families. For his first interview as founding president, Aaron Loeb discusses why he signed on, how its formation marks a pivotal step in the brand’s long-term vision, and why trust is its most valuable asset.  Drawing on expertise from a 25-plus-year career that spans theatre, Hollywood, and leading roles in the games industry, Aaron unpacks the idea of “forever games” like Roblox or Minecraft and why now is the perfect time to create experiences that reflect the quality, care, and imagination that have always defined the LEGO brand. Watch - https://lnkd.in/guds4TuA Listen - https://lnkd.in/gKEm3kav

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The decision for Borderlands 4 to launch without cross-save or cross-progression highlights a growing tension in the games industry: meeting modern player expectations for a seamless, platform-agnostic experience. According to Gearbox Entertainment, the ability to move progress between consoles and PC won't be available at release. While the studio notes it is a priority for the future, this move feels out of step with a landscape where players are accustomed to their games and progress following them across devices. The inclusion of cross-play is a welcome (and certainly for live games a necessary) feature, but the omission of cross-progression feels like a missed opportunity to fully embrace the "play anywhere" philosophy that is defining the current generation of gaming. Is launching without full cross-functionality a significant misstep in 2025, or is cross-play enough for a successful launch? I guess we'll see. (source: https://lnkd.in/eGcdqb6s)

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