Overview
Real people in your game. Digitised sprites photographed actors performing moves, then converted those images into game graphics. The result looked startlingly real compared to hand-drawn sprites—and distinctly uncanny. Mortal Kombat made the technique famous; the violence looked more visceral with realistic figures. The style faded as 3D graphics offered better realism.
Fast facts
- Peak era: 1990-1995.
- Notable use: Mortal Kombat series.
- Process: Photo capture to pixels.
- Successor: 3D polygonal graphics.
Capture process
| Step | Method |
|---|
| Photography | Actor against blue screen |
| Frame capture | Movement sequences |
| Colour reduction | Palette limitations |
| Pixel editing | Touch-up work |
Notable implementations
| Game | Year | Use |
|---|
| Pit-Fighter | 1990 | Early example |
| Mortal Kombat | 1992 | Defining use |
| NBA Jam | 1993 | Sports application |
| Rise of the Robots | 1994 | CG renders |
Visual impact
| Aspect | Effect |
|---|
| Realism | Uncanny valley |
| Violence | More disturbing |
| Animation | Sometimes stiff |
| Recognition | Actors visible |
Limitations
| Issue | Constraint |
|---|
| Frame count | Storage limits |
| Animation fluidity | Often choppy |
| Scaling | Quality loss |
| Consistency | Lighting variance |
Decline
| Factor | Impact |
|---|
| 3D graphics | Better realism |
| Motion capture | Superior animation |
| Storage | Less limiting |
| Aesthetics | Dated appearance |
See also