Lip sync technology

[Veidmann-zuljin]

I hear they are bringing this guy in to handle the lip sync tech

Milli Vanilli - Girl You Know It's True

[Greenguy-zangarmarsh]

They’ve been doing it for a handful of in-game cutscenes as well. I actually did a double-take at the start of Shadowlands, because the Maw Escape scene was the first time I believe.

Anduin Wrynn Helps Us Escape the Maw | Cutscene from World of Warcraft Shadowlands

The main thing is that the normal models don’t have enough “animation bones” to do it properly, they need to load in separate models that are made for it, which is why datamines will occasionally turn up repeats of models for existing characters with names like “Ebyssian Cinematic.”

[Rosenivy-area-52 (Rosenivy)]

@Greenguy-zangarmarsh

The main thing is that the normal models don’t have enough “animation bones” to do it properly, they need to load in separate models that are made for it, which is why datamines will occasionally turn up repeats of models for existing characters with names like “Ebyssian Cinematic.”

I remember thinking it was impressive they had that facial animation while our character was in the shot still. Sure we’re in the back so it works out but that was cool. Pity a lot of the later scenes in Shadowlands don’t quite do that.

The in game cinematic models are also kinda funny considering Shaw’s haircut only exists in his cinematic model lol. Since his head is different compared to the in gameplay model