Dragon's Dogma 2 is Built with Capcom's RE Engine
The upcoming action role-playing adventure, Dragon's Dogma 2, is taking shape thanks to Capcom's core technology: the RE Engine. This engine, known for powering hits like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, has been adapted to bring to life an expansive fantasy world. Its flexibility and efficiency are key to handling the game's ambitious mechanics. 🎮
RE Engine's Technical Capabilities Adapted
The development team has modified the engine to prioritize two fundamental aspects: physical interaction and visual atmosphere. Physics not only governs intense combat encounters, where you can climb colossal creatures, but also makes the environment react in a believable way. On the other hand, the global illumination system calculates how light bounces and scatters, creating smooth transitions between bright exteriors and shadowy dungeons.
Key Technology Points:- Rendering Complex Elements: The engine applies modern techniques to simulate hair, fur, and materials like skin or metal with great realism.
- Processing Large-Scale Scenes: Its scalability ensures stable performance in an open world full of details.
- Generating Visual Coherence: Unified lighting ensures that every scene, from a forest to a cave, feels like part of an organic whole.
"Sometimes, a hero's greatest feat isn't defeating a dragon, but managing to keep their cape from getting stuck in a tavern door thanks to somewhat enthusiastic physics."
Development Tools: Internal and External
Capcom doesn't rely solely on the raw RE Engine but enhances it with a set of custom internal tools. For character and monster design, artists use ZBrush to sculpt models with impressive detail levels. Realistic facial animations are achieved by integrating data from modern motion capture directly into the engine's workflow.
Artistic Workflow:- Using ZBrush for Sculpting: Essential software for creating detailed 3D models of creatures and characters.
- Integrating Facial Capture: Capture technology that ensures natural and believable expressions for the world's inhabitants.
- Connecting External Software: Capcom's internal tools act as a bridge, allowing assets from programs like ZBrush to work seamlessly within the RE Engine.
A Focus on Immersion and Gameplay
The ultimate goal of adapting the RE Engine is to create a fantasy world that feels tangible and reactive. Every technical decision, from calculating how light filters through trees to simulating the weight of a cape while running, is aimed at immersing the player. The combination of interactive physics, atmospheric lighting, and high-fidelity visual assets seeks to offer a role-playing experience where the world itself is a believable character. ⚔️✨