Actor Matt Ryan, the voice and motion capture performer for Edward Kenway in Assassin's Creed Black Flag, has donned the suit again for the remake Black Flag Resynced. In his statements, Ryan confessed that the experience was radically different from 14 years ago, when the team used a helmet with a front-facing camera that gave him a severe headache. Now, technology has advanced, and the process has been much more comfortable for him.
The Evolution of Performance Capture 🎭
Ryan had not done performance capture since the original game, and upon returning, he noticed a substantial change in the equipment and methodology. In 2013, the actor wore a rigid device with a camera right in front of his face, which caused physical tension and pain. This time, the studio used direct-contact-free capture systems and lighter sensors. Ryan highlighted that the smoothness of the process allowed him to focus on the performance, not the discomfort of the gear, revitalizing his interest in the medium.
Less Migraine, More Pirates 🏴☠️
It seems the return to Edward Kenway's life has been less traumatic than his first adventure. Matt Ryan has gone from having a constant headache to feeling right at home. Who knows, maybe the next step is for Ubisoft to include a temple massager in the capture kit. Meanwhile, fans can rest easy: the actor won't have to choose between playing the pirate or taking an ibuprofen.