19th May 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is developed by Sandfall Interactive, it is a turn-based RPG set in a dark fantasy Belle Époque world. The Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 game has garnered acclaim for its unique art style and compelling narrative.
Sandfall relied on motion capture, including Xsens, to breathe life into its characters. This blog deep-dives into the Xsens mocap pipeline for this game.
The Role of Motion Capture in Expedition 33
Motion capture makes characters move with realism and emotional depth. For Expedition 33, mocap was essential for capturing the nuanced performances of actors, allowing for a more immersive gaming experience.
Sandfall Interactive utilized Xsens Animate, our high-end full-body inertial motion capture solution. This enabled the team to record high-fidelity mocap data without the constraints of a controlled studio space with lots of cameras.
Integrating Xsens with Unreal Engine 5
One of the standout aspects of Expedition 33 is its stunning visual fidelity, achieved through the use of Unreal Engine 5. The Xsens Animate software integrates seamlessly with Unreal Engine, allowing for real-time visualization of mocap data within the game environment. This integration facilitated immediate feedback during recording sessions, enabling the team to make on-the-fly adjustments and ensure performances aligned with the game's artistic vision.
Enhancing Character Performances
The game's characters, such as Gustave, Lune, and Maelle, exhibit a range of emotions and movements that are both believable and expressive. This level of detail is a testament to both the motion capture actors and the accuracy of Xsens in capturing subtle body language and gestures. The team could infuse characters with lifelike qualities that resonate with players.
Watch this motion capture session of Gustave and Sophie:
A New Standard in Game Animation
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 exemplifies how Xsens motion capture can elevate storytelling in video games. It provides game studios the tools necessary to create characters that move and emote with authenticity, enhancing the player's connection to the game's narrative.
Discover how Xsens motion capture can elevate your game development:
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