The Animation in Dustforce

[@Stephen-Fox]

Always fun to hear people talk about their field when analysing something they enjoy. Hoping the clip of Cuphead was a promise of things to come, I've been wanting to hear animators talk about that game since it came out, and wondering if you'd ever consider talking about how animation brings life to literal rectangles in Thomas Was Alone?

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks so much! This is a series I've been wanting to do for ages, and I'm happy people are interested! Yes, the clips used are certainly a tease into future videos, and Cuphead will likely be a big episode! I'll certainly give it thought for TWA!

[@MishKoz]

I really love how animation smears look. A lot of Capcom games have smears strewn all about, and it's really nice to look at.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Yeah they do actually, thinking of it, especially Mega Man games!

[@MishKoz]

Dan Root Yeah, Mega Man Zero comes to mind. Their old sprite-based fighting games like X-Men, Jojo, and of course Street Fighter also come to mind. It's kind of a shame that 3d is so prevalent. I remember reading a really good blog post about thr importance of snappy animations in 2d vs 3d fighting games that you'd probably be interested in but I can't find it at the moment.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Ahh, that does sound interesting actually. I can see why it'd be important, as well. Yeah, 3D is very popular, but I think (hope) Sonic Mania, Owl Boy and Cuphead will have sparked a new generation of intricate 2D animation in video games.

[@MishKoz]

Dan Root Yeah me too, but I think they're exceptions to the rule, unfortunately.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Hmm. I'm tempted to say "don't be so sure", but I guess it'd be a matter of time whether we saw a result or not.

[@kiddbusiness]

Even years ago he was making masterfully professional videos!

[@jaredtrecker4610]

Just discovered your channel today and I love all these analysis videos! Glad you reminded me of Dustforce too: I played the game for probably 100 hours a few years ago, and I never got tired of watching characters wind up for their heavy attacks - so much weight conveyed with such a subtle touch!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Hey thanks a lot! I'm glad you enjoy them. I'm worried Dustforce will be one of those indie games lost to the winds of time. Let's hope they re-release it in years to come!

[@RamHoot]

this is gonna be a damn good series G

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

I'm glad you're excited 😃

[@tobyk5091]

Um yep it is

[@benwilliams5760]

Nailed it! I like how focused this one is, Dan. More like this please! The level of detail you delve into is really great and the effort you put in to these vids is truly admirable. Such great production! Bravo!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you kind sir! I'm glad you and others have enjoyed it, and it's a good result to see interest in this series!

[@trevorratchford3768]

:) this is one of my favorite games ever, glad to relive the experience of playing it a little

[@joedoe1096]

Really informative, enjoyable, and well presented, as always, Dan! Your channel can only grow with this kind of content.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you so much! I'm hoping it will, it's getting there slowly :-)

[@chrizzzly_hh]

A good reference, like mentioned in the video, is the animator's survival kit - which is my favorite reference. Basic principles we use today are taught there

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Yep, it's my go to resource, had it for nearly 15 years. I never realised that the "12 Basic Principles" have only been taught as such since the 80s, even though the principles themselves have been there since the beginning.

[@neophosfrenander1051]

Something super interesting I think the video should've mentioned: Take a look at the animation at 5:21. It has a huge anticipation, and the final frame before the attack, she is standing with her back towards the camera (as evidenced by the position of the strap from her pants). Then they do a huge smear for the attack. Look at the direction of the smear. Based on the shadows, it's coming from... her left to her right. And the final pose is ALSO standing with her back to the screen. Essentially, the animation doesn't actually show a blow, it shows a slight change in posture, and the smear is the wrong way around. But the anticipation, screen shake and snappiness of the animation makes it very easy to miss. It's a very good way to hide flaws in animation, and the end result looks great, even though the artist possibly messed up a sprite or two.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks for the comment. I wouldn'y say it was necessarily a mistake, I think it's more in reference to earlier when I mentioned about actions needing a quick response, and I think this is just another time-saving technique to show a massive action. Good points, all the same!

[@Eldoro82]

iv been animating pixel sprites as of lately, always good to refresh your memory on animation techniqes!

[@bananabike279]

Nice, more love for Dustforce! :D Very interesting video!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you!

[@tattieverb265]

Love the new series dan. Can't wait for the next one.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you so much!

[@NesrocksGamingVideos]

One of my favourite soundtracks of all time! I was filled with joy just watching this analysis.

[@SoShiBias]

The minimalist style they use on these characters allow their animation to really "pop" on screen. Their uniforms also reminds me of Japanese Sentai shows. Wish I could speak more about the animation in my review like you tho. Great video ! I like how you explain everything with your own short animations too, like the controller and the Run Cycle examples.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Hey thanks for the feedback! Yeah, the characters are really so cute and simple in this game, and I always say simple done well will always look better than overcomplicated things! Cool, I'll have to check out your review!

[@SoShiBias]

Aww thanks but if you can't stand my awful vocal deliveries, don't sweat it. I'll keep an eye out for your stuff!

[@Kri8aris]

Amazing video my man !! My only problem is that the characters have names :Blue is Dustman, Red is Dustgirl, Purple is Dustkid and Green is Dustworth.Yeah I know I'm nitpicking but that's because is love the game...Anyway...The video was amazing!!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks ever so much for the character names. I've probably seen them somewhere before but forgotten. Dustworth is a great name!

[@Soundole]

Great video, I love these sorts of discussions, and your presentation is wonderful.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks so much! Stay tuned, I've got lots more animation study videos on the way!

[@retRO7xp]

Please don't stop of make these AMAZING videos. I'm brazilian and discover your channel today, and i loved your content ♥️

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Hey thanks so much! Don't worry, I'm not stopping. I'm working on another video now..

[@kingpen]

How have I not stumbled across your channel in the KZbin Sphere~!? Subbed~!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you! I know, it's a _biiiiig_ place!

[@nicholisesmithbobjunior1889]

This was a fucking fantastic video and I love you and keep up the good work. I was kind of floored that you animated yourself talking in the beginning and other bits. I cant imagine the amount of effort, but it does lend you some instant credibility. You are awesome

[@nicholisesmithbobjunior1889]

Actually just the raw amount of editing and misc animations in every second is insane. Amazing!!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you so much, that's incredibly kind! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, hopefully you'll enjoy future videos too 😃

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Again, thank you!! I do like to put as much effort into the whole video as much as I can 😁

[@BluRosa]

Was actually wondering if you'd be doing a video on this game, I've been looking to purchase it and your analysis on the animation makes me even more tempted. Excellent video and can't wait for more in this series.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you so much! Yeah I thoroughly recommend it, an example that Capcom can produce a gem still!

[@romank8603]

awesome breakdown!!!!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks!

[@MrRodrigues520]

Great video! +Mark Brown brought me here.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks! Ahh, he's such a good egg!

[@Bloxed]

You are an underrated KZbinr, you deserve more subscribers than Pewdiepie!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Hey thanks! Wow, that's certainly a compliment!

[@Bloxed]

Yep, It makes my day better when you make a new video!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Ahw that's lovely!

[@Ali-Britco]

@6:33 That's the creepy little girl from `Life on Mars` isn't it. Now I have more questions and none of them related to Animation...

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Ha, it is. Although it's actually something that was used on British television before and after programming started. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_Card_F

[@VeryBlueBot]

thanks super useful! What are the games at 1:45 and 1:47 ??

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks! First one is Muramasa Demon Blade and the second one is Strider '14

[@VeryBlueBot]

@@VideoGameAnimationStudy thanks! love your content keep it up :)

[@fishmcmuffins3965]

hey this game looks cool

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

It really is, you should give it a go!

[@KeepYaHeadUp32]

@@VideoGameAnimationStudy im pretty sure hes pro at this game

[@basicsyphilis8]

Haha this was pretty cool. I have this game in my ps3 I picked it up day 1 fun game. Great video 👍👍👍

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks! Yeah it's a proper fun little game. It's pretty much that game that gave me the new direction for this channel.

[@basicsyphilis8]

Dan Root I saw your fighting game break down that was my 1st video & that was awesome

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Excellent! Glad you're enjoying everything.

[@41dn]

The Fancy pants adventures serieshas good animation for all sorts of situations, not just in the character's parkour movements, but in his enemies as well. Interesteing blend of 2d and 3d

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Fancy Pants Adventures? I'll have to look it up...

[@41dn]

Dan Root the games are free on browsers and phones. I think it had console versions and I know another one is imminent, but I'm not too versed in all that. I recommend world 3

[@cobaltblu4196]

loved seeing this! any chance for a cuphead study?

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Oh absolutely. I'm just finishing off some other episodes first then getting the footage and script. It'll be a ton of research!

[@Part_Time_Fox]

GREAT VIDEO DANNY!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

THANKS!

[@III-db8pl]

its 2020 i want my dust force on nintendo switch now!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Yes!!!!

[@lagaffe91]

Very intresting !

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks!

[@olkris2666]

"Music done by P.SUS" Is it a special song made specifically for your outro because I've been searching for hours x) it's so good.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

It is, yeah. I commissioned him to do it a year or so ago, really love his musical style, thought it'd go nicely as my outro 🥰

[@_Adie]

Oh man, can't wait for the video on Skullgirls. Or Guilty Gear Xrd. Or just fighting games in general.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Oh yeah man, 2D fighting games are in a league of their own! I look forward to studying Skull Girls!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Keep tuning in over the next couple months, a Skullgirls video might be in the works!

[@antidevgodot]

This is great.

[@sidmakes]

What's the game at 00:24!? I really need to know it

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

That's Kung Fury: Street Rage for PS4, it's really, _really_ addictive and fun.

[@sidmakes]

Okay, thanks man for the quick response! :D Buying the game right away, it's available on Steam too By the way amazing channel bro! We are working on a beat em up style game for mobile device so this really got my attention

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks so much, and I'm glad I could be of help. Awesome, do you have a twitter or page for it to keep up to date?

[@sidmakes]

No man, not yet. We are still in very early stages so we will run a Twitter account and page once we get some more art and things done. Our artist is busy on other project so things are moving slow right now. But I will surely update you once things get in speed. Followed you on Instagram :D

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Yeah it's a common bit of feedback from this video, I'll be sure to. Game at 0:30 is Muramasa: Demon Sword

[@mersunarytigre]

Loved it.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you!

[@omfgh4x]

This game looks pretty cool.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

I recommend it!

[@ok-yv9dd]

Can you please analyze Muramasa?

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Possibly in the future

[@AgentSmith13]

More videos like this please

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

I'd like to return to my animated avatar, but I need more time and money, unfortunately. Thanks though!

[@igorthelight]

Not a single word about camera shake! It's a... camera movement animation :-)

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Mm yeah, I should've mentioned that really! Maybe I'll redo this video one day!

[@SHINBAXTER]

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE GAME ANIMATIONS IS CAPCOM'S "GEM FIGHTER". WUD LUV 2 SEE UR BREAKDOWN ON THAT. =)

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

I've heard of Gem Fighter, I'll have to look into it. Got a big old list at the moment

[@woodleynye1145]

Glad u like it

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Dustforce? Yeah it's great!

[@woodleynye1145]

Dan Root thanks! Was a trip watching this

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

I've more animation study videos on the way, and my other game analysis videos too! And maybe a Halloween one 🙄

[@miinintapple]

can you look at the animation in hyper light drifter?

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

It's actually in my list of ideas. It might be amongst other indie games too, though.

[@shirowolf6971]

What's the name of the other game scenes preferably the one that looks like anime I want to know please!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Do you have a time code?

[@pigjuice6499]

Fucking fantastic dude! :)

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thank you so much!

[@mixiekins]

Just curious, is pompom a local term for feather duster in your regional dialect? I've never heard them called that, but it's very fitting slang if so. :O

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Yeah, I didn't even realise they were feather dusters, I just thought they looked like pompoms 😆

[@Duncadinca]

Can I please borrow your talent for my vids?

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Hey there! Haha, I wish it were that easy 😂

[@indigocactus3089]

*Alan Becker Flashbacks*

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

He's the tutorial guy, right?

[@indigocactus3089]

Yeah, I watched some of his videos even though I obviously have no chance of being an animator :/ Check out his work, it's good stuff, even if some of it's a bit outdated.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Yeah I remember watching some stuff years ago, he's good! You can be an animator! You just gotta be patient 😃

[@indigocactus3089]

Aw, ya think so? (I find it ironic that I know see Alan Becker's tutorials in my recommended again) Anyways, you've been taught well it seems, keep up the good work!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Absolutely, yeah. You just gotta ask yourself "what's holding me back?" And thank you very much! I animate as quickly as I can with the time I have :-)

[@KingTwelveSixteen]

Runescape has pretty basic animation, but something about them I really like. I don't actually know why.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Awesome, I'll check it out! :-D

[@KingTwelveSixteen]

oh! Its mostly the oldschool animation I like. The newest runescape version I'm not nearly as familiar with.

[@hypershadix1]

I'm not the type of person that pays attention to how a game looks or anything of the sorts I tend to focus on the gameplay. Today's video game developers tend to focus more on how the game looks rather than how it plays which hurts the game nine times out of ten, but it looks like this game pulls it off pretty well in both design and gameplay wise I can't wait to try it out one day Dan.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Thanks a lot! I think game style & substance are as important as each other and need to be balanced. In a sad sort of way, if a thing is done well, it's barely noticeable, because it's doing its job well. A little like video editing, you can tell when it's not right.

[@hypershadix1]

Dan Root yeah I agree with you on that my friend

[@plet0707]

personally, i tried the game, but i honestly didn't like it, but different strokes for different folks or something like that right? i mean the game has gotta have 93% positive reviews on steam for a reason right?

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

That's fair, I can see why it would grow weary quickly on some gamers. I just really love the art style and animation 😍

[@gibbyace5077]

Hey! Thats Dan! And hes Dank!

[@gibbyace5077]

Ma boi

[@milddiffuse]

Fucking Ori Dude!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

It's on the cards, don't you worry.

[@milddiffuse]

Dan Root Well thanks! ;D