The Last of Us just keep getting recognition for excellence. It’s one of the best-selling games on PS3 and PS4 and offered a truly unique experience on PlayStation’s platforms. However, before its release, Naughty Dog was known for its Uncharted franchise. Now they’re looking to make that series of games better than ever before, down to the smallest details.
In a previous life when I did lots of work in theatre, I remember hearing a story about sound design. The story from one of the veteran sound designers was that one day he got to visit the Star Trek set. They took him through the various noises – doors opening, computer bleeps and even the casual chatter between crew members. But it just didn’t sound quite right… until they turned on the faint air-conditioning sound that was omni-present on the star ships. While no one might have ever picked up on it, it added to the ambiance. In a similar way, Naughty Dog is working on its Foley system.
This system handles the way noises not only sound in general, but how they might change. For example, Sound Designer Robert Krekel explained that beyond making signature sounds for the various weapons, they try to make it sound different when it’s in the next room or two doors over. Similarly, the sounds made by Drake’s feet on terrain, or how his jeans and gear swish together not only have to be designed, but also change depending on the speed or violence of Drake’s actions – a walking Drake will sound different to a fighting Drake, even in subtle ways.
Environment Artist Andrew Maximov similarly talked about subtle elements that might not even be perceived by players. While modelling grass movements in the wind, he heard that there were issues animating Drake’s hair properly. By plugging the existing hair mapping into his foliage tech, they were able to make the same wind that blows the grass move the hair on his head and body. In the words of the game’s director, this is next gen.
Uncharted 4 is currently being play tested by 30-40 people and Naughty Dog is even looking to hire more testers. The game is scheduled to be released sometime next year and I’m glad they’re already testing and fixing. Plus, all this detailed tech makes me think that it could be the most life-like and innovative game we’ve seen on the new consoles. If they’re focusing on such minor things as chest hair movement and jean chafe sound effects, I think we can have faith that they will put a similar amount of effort into combat, story-telling and character development.
At least, I hope so.
Last Updated: May 18, 2015
WitWolfy
May 18, 2015 at 13:03
NOW… I WANT THIS GAME NOW!!!!
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 18, 2015 at 13:08
Does his chest hair grow like Geralt’s beard? Because then we might end up with something like this…
RinceTriss
May 18, 2015 at 13:16
Obviously not a selfi *RUNS
Captain JJ Browman
May 18, 2015 at 13:28
Too little hair?
Admiral Chief
May 18, 2015 at 13:32
Do you even have any other hair on your body? I mean your brows take up so much hair growing chi
RinceTriss
May 18, 2015 at 13:34
You are a monster!
Captain JJ Browman
May 18, 2015 at 13:37
My brows inspire the rest of my body hair.
Lord Chaos
May 18, 2015 at 13:38
*Scare off…
*Runs
Admiral Chief
May 18, 2015 at 13:47
So the Afrikaans saying “mag jy so oud word dat jou holhare jou spore doodvee” will be applicable to you at age 35?
Dutch-Trevor Matrix
May 18, 2015 at 13:51
Fokkit tog! My brein! My Brein!
Hammersteyn
May 18, 2015 at 13:18
majestic
*Looks at my own bare chest.
**Cries
kuuu(UMAR)rrrr
May 18, 2015 at 13:08
I was trying to get an image of Drake,the rapper, without a shirt but it I was getting weird looks.
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 18, 2015 at 13:10
Maybe don’t give a dreamily sigh, “Oh shirtless Drake”, and that won’t happen?
Mistake Not...
May 18, 2015 at 13:08
Let’s hope Drake wears tight underwear. Otherwise we might hear… you know… when he runs…
Lord Chaos
May 18, 2015 at 13:16
Like a fish on dry land?
KarenNSpeaks
May 18, 2015 at 13:19
?????$89 hourly on internet@mf21//
???https://SuperLatestCrowdNeat.com/Bright/star…
Captain JJ Browman
May 18, 2015 at 13:30
Like a Call of Duty fish on dry land.
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
May 18, 2015 at 14:07
Enhanced pant AI confirmed. 😛
Dutch-Trevor Matrix
May 18, 2015 at 13:52
Yup. Because after Tomb Raider, his balls is going to need all the attention it can get and why does that sound wrong? So Wrong?
JayDiCee
May 19, 2015 at 11:22
Jingle bells… on the night before X-Mas
Dutch-Trevor Matrix
May 18, 2015 at 13:53
And why does Drake look more girly than Lara Croft???
Lord Chaos
May 18, 2015 at 13:55
Because it’s Nvidia and Lara was AMD? 😛
HairyEwok
May 18, 2015 at 13:57
Can we blame the hipsters that recreated him or is that too racist/sexist? #Beascoolasasnail
Dutch-Trevor Matrix
May 18, 2015 at 14:17
I fucking hate hipsters!
Lord Chaos
May 18, 2015 at 14:17
Says the proto-hipster. 😛
Dutch-Trevor Matrix
May 18, 2015 at 14:27
HAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! AND NOW I FUCKING HATE YOU!!!!!! 🙂
Lord Chaos
May 18, 2015 at 14:32
You’ll have to take a number and wait in the back of the line. 😛
Dutch-Trevor Matrix
May 18, 2015 at 14:43
DOES IT LOOK LIKE I GIVE A SHIT ABOUT “THE LINE”?!!! :p
Ross Woofels Mason
May 18, 2015 at 14:38
I just pray it is better than Uncharted 3 and I know everyone loved the last of us but I hated that game. So rather meh about this until I see some actual gameplay.
Goal9
May 18, 2015 at 15:03
As handsome as Drake is; shouldnt they try to focus to get the game running 1080@60fps instead of focusing on his chest hair?