Game developers have been aiming to upgrade graphics and add as much realism as possible for a long time. The issue is that as more realistic effects are added, the more processing power and storage space those functions take up. Take-Two Interactive has recently filed a patent on a system that could make more realistic processes in games possible.
Video games, especially games centered around sports, normally try to create a finished product that is as close to real-life as possible. In the real world, there are millions of actions happening at all times. Trying to emulate this in a video game is nearly impossible due to the number of processes a computer would need to run and adjust for, but many games like WRC 9 aim to be as realistic as possible while simulating real-world physics.
The latest patent by Take-Two Interactive aims to alleviate most of the complications involved with emulating fluids in games. Normally, to show sweat on a player in a game, it would take multiple high-resolution maps and multiple animations to pull off, forcing the process to use more processing power and memory. The new system Take-Two Interactive has come up with brings this down to one animation that repeats itself and is shared across characters in the game. According to the patent, the need for "faster simulation and visualization of these fluids" can be met by this system. Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two Interactive CEO, thinks games will look like live-action in the next decade.
What this means for players is that games are going to get much more real. The main intention of the system outlined in Take-Two's patent seems to be directed towards sports titles. Characters in sports games will be able to break out in a realistic sweat over the course of a match. This will mean they sweat more heavily over time or because of intensity. Titles like NBA 2K21 can become even more realistic.
This kind of fluid physics can be used for anything, however, not just sweat. If the same kind of system is applied in other games such as Mortal Kombat, those finishing kills might start looking more and more realistic. Tense emotional scenes could be more tear-jerking thanks to realistic tears. Basically, any game that includes blood, tears, sweat, dew, or any sparse fluids in a game can benefit from this system.
The potential of the outlined fluid system is yet to be totally seen, however. If the systems do save processing power and memory, it could bring gamers much more realistic scenes in games. There is also the potential for console games to be able to run high-res graphics at normal FPS speeds thanks to the lessened demands on their processors. There is no information as of yet which titles may end up utilizing these new fluid systems, but players can be excited for the future of games.
Source: US Patent