GAME ANIM: Video Game Animation Explained, now in its 2nd edition, is the best-selling book covering all aspects of video game animation.



Description

GAME ANIM teaches the technical and artistic fundamentals of video game animation and goes further to provide practical advice and industry insights to help you become a rounded and successful game animator.

Covering every stage of game production from the animator’s perspective, it is packed with the lessons learned from working on a variety of game types in both in-game and cinematic roles in animator, lead, and director positions.

The 2nd edition includes a new chapter on 2D and Pixel Art Animation, an enhanced mocap chapter covering the latest developments in Motion Matching, and even more interviews with top professionals in the field.

GAME ANIM provides essential guidance to those looking to break into the industry and successful animators wishing to take the next step in their career.


Key Features

New Content

New chapter on 2D & Pixel Art Animation, motion-matching shotlist + more…

20 Years of Insight

Learn from 2 decades of experience in all areas of game animation

The 5 Fundamentals

Reinterprets the classic 12 & sets out 5 new principles for great game animation

Full Production

Walks through every stage of a game production from the animator’s perspective

Interviews

Notable game animators offer behind-the-scenes stories, tips and advice

Free Animation Rig

Accompanying AZRI rig, tutorials and other resources at the foot of this page


Author Bio

Jonathan Cooper is an award-winning video game animator who has been bringing virtual characters to life professionally since 2000, leading teams on large projects such as the Assassin’s Creed and Mass Effect series, with a focus on memorable stories and characters and cutting-edge video game animation.

He has since been focusing on interactive cinematics in the latest chapters of the DICE and Annie award-winning series Uncharted and The Last of Us, and most recently creates animation for the Apple Vision Pro at Apple.

Jonathan has presented at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco and at other conferences across Canada and the United Kingdom, and holds a Bachelor of Design honours degree in animation. More detailed bio here.


Resources

Free Rig

The free AZRI Rig is a simple animation rig for non-commercial use

Tutorials

Basic tutorials to get you started with the free AZRI Rig

Blog

Curated online articles on video game animation since 2005

Demo Reel Gallery

2000+ game animation reel Vimeo group – join and add your own

Software & Tools

Download free software for educational purposes and find recommended tools

Conference Videos

A collection of game developer conference video channels on Youtube