Game Animation and Design: Red Ink Station
Red Ink Station is an experimental game project where we created a small world in which the player can freely type text while interacting with NPCs, offering an alternative to traditional dialogue systems, such as pre-written responses.
These NPCs are controlled by text-based AI and are represented by 2D animations that change according to the characters' emotions. Through this new technology, we aimed to explore an alternative to conventional dialogue systems in games, with the AI responding based on detailed character sheets that include knowledge, emotional range, manner of speaking, and other unique traits for each character.
A set of emotions
animated and
different for
each character
The AI selects a suitable emotion for each response, which is then displayed through an animated character next to the textbox.
My part in this Project:
I created and lead this project, created all animations for the dialogue view up to line-art, designed gameplay, world-building and did concept art for multiple characters and potential characters for the game project.
Goal of this project was to find a way to incorporate AI within game worlds in a way that would not replace work, but create an experience only possible through this new technology.
Furthermore we found ways to trigger animations and actions (like handing over an item) through dynamic dialogue.
A lot of designing:
At the start of this project I spent a lot of time to designing very quick and rough concepts of potential characters for the player to talk to.
Only a few of these characters made it to the final game, and those who did have many rounds of redesigning behind them.
finding a design
on paper
before cleaning it up
on the computer
second round,
cleaned up
Animations & Emotions
The Baker:
Naive, friendly and freezing -
This character is cursed to never feel warm again, no matter how many layers she puts on - yet, her naivety makes her unaware of her situation.
She is capable of being:
Friendly, Curious, Laughing, Sad, Anxious, Terrified and Doomed.
If made aware of her situation by the player, she breaks and becomes doomed.
Within our cosmic horror themed world the baker embodies the blissfull ignorance.
The Hunter:
Disciplined, taciturn and strict -
he managed to avoid the curse by not getting involved in things better left alone.
While the Hunter seems uncaring, it is his effective survival tactic in this unforgiving world, and he tries to help others by forcing this passivity on them too.
He is capable of being:
Stoic, Angry, Interessted, Empathetic.
The Mute:
Tired, caring and wise -
The Mute is in a late-stage of the curse. For her, it formed a horn, growing in her own jaw, robbing her of her voice.
She made due by writing her words in a book and showing it to her conversation partners.
She is capable of being:
Indifferent, Reminiscent, Honest, Melancholic, Exhausted.
The Varlet:
Sarcastic, manipulative, mischievous -
This NPC loves to play tricks and has managed to stay clear of the curse by throwing others under the bus, never showing his face, hiding behind his mask.
He is capable of being:
Playful, Avoidant, Bored, Intrigued, Very Intrigued.
