BtS: Technical Discussion on Werewolf Models (Spoilers)

Note:  This post is a longform technical discussion about the werewolf models in BBN. It is being offered in response to some feedback and initial impressions on a scene in Chapter 7. As with most Behind the Scenes posts, this one sheds some light on the development process, and it can be read (or skipped) with no impact on your experience in playing the game. WARNING:  There are minor spoilers ahead for Chapter Seven AND FUTURE RELEASES.

Edit: I got some more feedback based on the preview of the fully shifted model at the end and, based on that and other feedback, I’m going to make some tweaks to the model. As always, thank you for the critical feedback! It helps me make the game better.

In Chapter 7, players get their first glimpse of a shifted werewolf. Or so folks have thought. I've been getting some feedback that folks thought the images of the shifted werewolf in Chapter 7 look more ape-like than wolf-like. I thought I'd put together a post that responds to that feedback and sheds some light on the technical and story-related constraints. 

Nothing in this post is meant to be defensive because -- not only do I want feedback -- I would agree with those initial impressions and concerns if I didn't know what I know as the developer. The following discussion is meant to give some insight as to what is going on technically and, towards the end of the post, a spoilerish glance of what one version of a fully shifted werewolf might look like.

Now, I'll say it one more time...

!!! SPOILERS AHEAD !!!

First, here is one of the images from Chapter 7 that folks are reacting to:

To put this in context, what we have in this scene is Connor shifting in front of Alex, revealing that he is a werewolf. I've done some other scenes (particularly with Ronan but also in an optional sequence in Chapter 8) where there is a less dramatic partial shift, showing off some claws and enlarged canines (more of a Teen Wolf-esque werewolf), but with this reveal I wanted to get at something more dramatic.

However, there are a couple of technical constraints as well as a story-telling/continuity constraint. The werewolf model I'm using here is, in my opinion, the best of the available options that allows for Connor's model to have a gradual shift between full-human and full-monster. The transition is achieved with a slider that goes between 0 (full-human) and 100 (full-monster). However, the slider is a full body transition only; I can't dial it in to specific body parts (i.e., the head or muzzle).

That leads to the continuity problem:  Had I shifted Connor all the way to 100%, it would have been utterly implausible that his uniform wouldn't have torn apart. While that would have been kind of hot, it didn't fit the story that needed to be told at the time. So, I could only go with a partial shift... and this is where it stopped.

However, there is another werewolf model that will be coming (to be revealed in Chapter 10) that is much more in line with the classic werewolf monster and I think folks will love it. The downside to that model is that it is a complete standalone model and doesn't allow for a gradual shift. That's one of the reasons I didn't use it for Connor in Chapter 7. The other reason I didn't use it is [REDACTED]. 

Huh. Darn censors. Anyway, the reason will be explained through in-game conversations in Chapter 10.

Now, last but not least... and here is another spoiler... this is what Connor's particular werewolf model would look like fully shifted. While it doesn't have the classically elongated snout/muzzle, I think it gets more at the werewolf traits people are looking for. So, trust me... it's coming!

Questions? Comments? Let me know below!

BBN