Why horses are so hard for video games to get right
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Date: 2023-12-10
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Comments and reviews: 30
-annawilliams5079
As someone who has taken equine exercise physiology classes I am crying tears of joy right now that someone else noticed and appreciated game horses so much! I also love the personality of the Breath of the Wild horses with their adorable face and head animations. Those little horsey lips are animated perfectly!
Fun fact about horses during the gallop which also enables them to move so fast is how they breathe. 1 breath per one 4 beat gallop movement. Their internal organs act as a piston in their body sliding back and forth during the gallop to pull and push their diaphragm, enabling them to breathe far more effectively than bipedal animals at full run. Their breathing is rhythmic with their galloping movements! This internal organs sliding and behaving like a piston to pull and push their diaphragm only occurs in the full 4 beat gallop gait, not the 3 beat canter, or 2 beat trot gaits.
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As someone who has taken equine exercise physiology classes I am crying tears of joy right now that someone else noticed and appreciated game horses so much! I also love the personality of the Breath of the Wild horses with their adorable face and head animations. Those little horsey lips are animated perfectly!
Fun fact about horses during the gallop which also enables them to move so fast is how they breathe. 1 breath per one 4 beat gallop movement. Their internal organs act as a piston in their body sliding back and forth during the gallop to pull and push their diaphragm, enabling them to breathe far more effectively than bipedal animals at full run. Their breathing is rhythmic with their galloping movements! This internal organs sliding and behaving like a piston to pull and push their diaphragm only occurs in the full 4 beat gallop gait, not the 3 beat canter, or 2 beat trot gaits.
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-EratoTiaTuatha
Why aren't we talking about Horizon Zero Dawn though? Sure, the -horses- are robots, but that game has hands down the best riding model I've experienced, the controls are the right amount of loose to feel like you're riding an animal and not just a -make me go fast- box (without being frustratingly floaty, the animations convey weight and are perfectly springy, like there's both weight and momentum as well as energy and speed. There's still not a single game out there that perfectly solves the issue of putting horses on very uneven ground, either the front legs are going to bend or the whole horse will end up upright, but I've seen relatively very little of that in Horizon. It helps that the -horse- will often react to those situations by actually stepping into a more natural position. Plus, they might be made of wires, but their design reflects horse anatomy surprisingly well!
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Why aren't we talking about Horizon Zero Dawn though? Sure, the -horses- are robots, but that game has hands down the best riding model I've experienced, the controls are the right amount of loose to feel like you're riding an animal and not just a -make me go fast- box (without being frustratingly floaty, the animations convey weight and are perfectly springy, like there's both weight and momentum as well as energy and speed. There's still not a single game out there that perfectly solves the issue of putting horses on very uneven ground, either the front legs are going to bend or the whole horse will end up upright, but I've seen relatively very little of that in Horizon. It helps that the -horse- will often react to those situations by actually stepping into a more natural position. Plus, they might be made of wires, but their design reflects horse anatomy surprisingly well!
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polygon
Interesting video but I don-t think you doesn-t nearly enough time on RDR2, a game which is arguably one of the most horse-centric games out right now. In the end (spoiler alert) your trusty steed, who you have possibly caught, trained, gussied up, and re-saddled, dies a harrowing death almost alongside the main character. Arthur, the protagonist, thanks the horse for everything he has given him. I-ve read comments from many RDR2 players saying they cried when they lost their horse.
There-s also different whistles that instruct the horse to do different things, various foods that affect the horse differently, patting and grooming the horse to boost trust, all the carcasses you can carry on your horse, in ways that appear realistic. Not to mention the numerous mechanics that they worked into running with a gang of horses. It truly is incredible!
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Interesting video but I don-t think you doesn-t nearly enough time on RDR2, a game which is arguably one of the most horse-centric games out right now. In the end (spoiler alert) your trusty steed, who you have possibly caught, trained, gussied up, and re-saddled, dies a harrowing death almost alongside the main character. Arthur, the protagonist, thanks the horse for everything he has given him. I-ve read comments from many RDR2 players saying they cried when they lost their horse.
There-s also different whistles that instruct the horse to do different things, various foods that affect the horse differently, patting and grooming the horse to boost trust, all the carcasses you can carry on your horse, in ways that appear realistic. Not to mention the numerous mechanics that they worked into running with a gang of horses. It truly is incredible!
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-fuzzygoldfish
A big part of horses for me is the delay between command and response. Even if the animations in Assassin's Creed weren't a mess, that instant response keeps the horse from feeling like a character in its own right and makes it just feel like a vehicle that runs on grass.
Shadow of the Colossus was the first game that really nailed that feeling for me; before then I'd pretty much always skipped horses if they were optional, but after that game I saw the value of them as a companion. BoTW does this very well; Witcher has less of a delay but the audible commands and (very useful) tendency of the horse to follow trails really added character to Roach.
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A big part of horses for me is the delay between command and response. Even if the animations in Assassin's Creed weren't a mess, that instant response keeps the horse from feeling like a character in its own right and makes it just feel like a vehicle that runs on grass.
Shadow of the Colossus was the first game that really nailed that feeling for me; before then I'd pretty much always skipped horses if they were optional, but after that game I saw the value of them as a companion. BoTW does this very well; Witcher has less of a delay but the audible commands and (very useful) tendency of the horse to follow trails really added character to Roach.
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-matthew. wilson
This video makes me think horses were a bit of a missed opportunity in Kingdom Come Deliverance. It's so close - all ownable horses are named and have unique traits and appearance, and buying a horse requires actually going to inspect them in the paddock, and horse culture definitely plays a significant role in the story. But, once you own one it just. exists. This is in stark contrast to your dog who must be regularly praised and fed to maintain his obedience and effectiveness. I now wonder what impact there would've been in extending that system to the horses, even partially.
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This video makes me think horses were a bit of a missed opportunity in Kingdom Come Deliverance. It's so close - all ownable horses are named and have unique traits and appearance, and buying a horse requires actually going to inspect them in the paddock, and horse culture definitely plays a significant role in the story. But, once you own one it just. exists. This is in stark contrast to your dog who must be regularly praised and fed to maintain his obedience and effectiveness. I now wonder what impact there would've been in extending that system to the horses, even partially.
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-Silvermoonshadow
I loved how the horses moved in BotW. I have noticed throughout the years I have played videogames that horses are RARELY animated well. RDR2 also felt like they did a good job. I loved being able to customize the mane and tail, and I especially loved being able to pet, feed, brush, and otherwise love on the creature that would shlepp my fat rear end from one side of the map to the other. I always get so upset when people try to shoot at me and hit my steed. Usually, I end them for the blasphemy.
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I loved how the horses moved in BotW. I have noticed throughout the years I have played videogames that horses are RARELY animated well. RDR2 also felt like they did a good job. I loved being able to customize the mane and tail, and I especially loved being able to pet, feed, brush, and otherwise love on the creature that would shlepp my fat rear end from one side of the map to the other. I always get so upset when people try to shoot at me and hit my steed. Usually, I end them for the blasphemy.
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-zelvanyan
i always knew something was terribly off with these video game horses lol. video game horses just never really move like movie horses do, trying to play a video game with horses in it after watching a movie like the kingdom of heaven and after watching a movie like the 1940 mark of Zorro is an absolute nightmare. The only video game that i can say comes close to movie horses is red dead redemption 2. i hope these other games improve on what RDR2 did with their horses.
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i always knew something was terribly off with these video game horses lol. video game horses just never really move like movie horses do, trying to play a video game with horses in it after watching a movie like the kingdom of heaven and after watching a movie like the 1940 mark of Zorro is an absolute nightmare. The only video game that i can say comes close to movie horses is red dead redemption 2. i hope these other games improve on what RDR2 did with their horses.
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-nutmeg9593
Once in Red Dead redemption 2 I accidentally killed a guy while trying to steal his horse. Ended up having to run away and lose the horse. Later in the game I went to untie my long time horse only to run into the former horse again. He remembered me and what I had done and basically killed me. As an equestrian the whole episode destroyed me emotionally but at the same time, I appreciated the insane level of detail.
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Once in Red Dead redemption 2 I accidentally killed a guy while trying to steal his horse. Ended up having to run away and lose the horse. Later in the game I went to untie my long time horse only to run into the former horse again. He remembered me and what I had done and basically killed me. As an equestrian the whole episode destroyed me emotionally but at the same time, I appreciated the insane level of detail.
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-Pseudotriakis
Putting a major shadow of the colossus spoiler in a video not explicitly about shadow of the colossus is majorly uncool. Especially since it's a game people who love horses, and are thus likely to watch this video, would love. Though it is old, many still have not played it. And there was NO reason that particular shot was necessary over many other possible shots to get your point across.
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Putting a major shadow of the colossus spoiler in a video not explicitly about shadow of the colossus is majorly uncool. Especially since it's a game people who love horses, and are thus likely to watch this video, would love. Though it is old, many still have not played it. And there was NO reason that particular shot was necessary over many other possible shots to get your point across.
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-sparklestorm1236
My horse in breath of the wild is named Gregory and I didn-t know at the time so I named him a meme how attached I would begin to be to this horse. I would stop him at any enemy camps so he wouldn-t die and never used him in combat. When he was involved in the final battle it was like it came full circle and my boy got to see me beat Gannon and help me do it. I love him.
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My horse in breath of the wild is named Gregory and I didn-t know at the time so I named him a meme how attached I would begin to be to this horse. I would stop him at any enemy camps so he wouldn-t die and never used him in combat. When he was involved in the final battle it was like it came full circle and my boy got to see me beat Gannon and help me do it. I love him.
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-colbyjackcheeser
Torrent is not a horse, it-s a mythical creature and judging from its horns it is in part a goat. Goats do climb like torrent does. She says Radahn-s horse has wack legs but you also should consider he-s literally on the verge of death, of course he-s not gonna be running like your typical healthy horse.
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Torrent is not a horse, it-s a mythical creature and judging from its horns it is in part a goat. Goats do climb like torrent does. She says Radahn-s horse has wack legs but you also should consider he-s literally on the verge of death, of course he-s not gonna be running like your typical healthy horse.
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-Gigi-fv9ky
In my opinion, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the gold standard for horses in video games. They so realistic and compelling in that game. Of course, imo, RDR2 is the gold standard in nearly every aspect. But I don't see how anyone can criticize how they brought horses to life and made it such a pleasure.
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In my opinion, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the gold standard for horses in video games. They so realistic and compelling in that game. Of course, imo, RDR2 is the gold standard in nearly every aspect. But I don't see how anyone can criticize how they brought horses to life and made it such a pleasure.
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-mastermarkus5307
I'm thinking that the -excuse- for Torrent's legs being like that could have to do with him being goat-like, as they seem to bend more at the knee when climbing, but it does seem kind of like the devs didn't necessarily think of how you could effectively combine these animals anatomically.
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I'm thinking that the -excuse- for Torrent's legs being like that could have to do with him being goat-like, as they seem to bend more at the knee when climbing, but it does seem kind of like the devs didn't necessarily think of how you could effectively combine these animals anatomically.
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-PinkWytchBytch
Games like BOTW, Elden Ring and Shadow of the Colossus, those games really struck me as my personal favorites. Especially Shadow of the Colossus. Even RD2. I love that feeling of your horse being your companion throughout the virtual world, they-re there WITH you not just FOR you
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Games like BOTW, Elden Ring and Shadow of the Colossus, those games really struck me as my personal favorites. Especially Shadow of the Colossus. Even RD2. I love that feeling of your horse being your companion throughout the virtual world, they-re there WITH you not just FOR you
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-char1211
-ELDEN RING SPOILER AT- 10: 25
Skip to 11: 37 if you want to avoid it!
I also think 8: 42 might be a spoiler for Shadow of the Colossus but I've never played that game myself so I'm not sure. Skip to 8: 54 if you don't want to risk it
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-ELDEN RING SPOILER AT- 10: 25
Skip to 11: 37 if you want to avoid it!
I also think 8: 42 might be a spoiler for Shadow of the Colossus but I've never played that game myself so I'm not sure. Skip to 8: 54 if you don't want to risk it
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-Bwans_Art
I am not a horse girl, but even I am still sad that I lost Frost during my Skyrim Playthrough.
I got him in my first 40 hours, lost him around 130 hours in and now I'm at hour 200 and I'm STILL upset about it.
I miss my boy: (
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I am not a horse girl, but even I am still sad that I lost Frost during my Skyrim Playthrough.
I got him in my first 40 hours, lost him around 130 hours in and now I'm at hour 200 and I'm STILL upset about it.
I miss my boy: (
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-mirai3991
The thing about making the horse hits close to home as a huge fan of Ghost of Tsushima, the riding was one of my fav parts of the game. And spoiler alert, when at the end of act 2 your horse doesn't make it. It was so painful
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The thing about making the horse hits close to home as a huge fan of Ghost of Tsushima, the riding was one of my fav parts of the game. And spoiler alert, when at the end of act 2 your horse doesn't make it. It was so painful
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-mikeysrose
If I was playing that Shadow of the Colossus game and my horse suffered a sudden and violent death AS A PART OF THE STORY, I would feel so betrayed. I would immediately stop playing and never pick it up again.
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If I was playing that Shadow of the Colossus game and my horse suffered a sudden and violent death AS A PART OF THE STORY, I would feel so betrayed. I would immediately stop playing and never pick it up again.
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-6233791
Why does this video spend 11 minutes praising BOTW for their horse design and then mentions RDR2 like twice -oh yeah it-s way better, but let-s watch a BOTW horse jump in place 5 times as we worship the devs. -
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Why does this video spend 11 minutes praising BOTW for their horse design and then mentions RDR2 like twice -oh yeah it-s way better, but let-s watch a BOTW horse jump in place 5 times as we worship the devs. -
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-bearlyalive9669
The best part about RDR2-s horses is that they actually put the time and effort to full body track an actual horse, I believe they even brought in a mechanical life sized horse to continue their study
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The best part about RDR2-s horses is that they actually put the time and effort to full body track an actual horse, I believe they even brought in a mechanical life sized horse to continue their study
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polygon
RDR2 is the best as far as horse animation/interaction, hands down. I believe the horses alone took 4 years to complete for that game. They used motion capture, and I-m sure that-s why it worked so well.
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RDR2 is the best as far as horse animation/interaction, hands down. I believe the horses alone took 4 years to complete for that game. They used motion capture, and I-m sure that-s why it worked so well.
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-hannah4588
As someone who loves forming deep bonds with my horses in video games, the horses randomly changing whenever you travel to another part of the map is one of the things I disliked the most about AC3.
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As someone who loves forming deep bonds with my horses in video games, the horses randomly changing whenever you travel to another part of the map is one of the things I disliked the most about AC3.
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-moenjeruu
I got into the Assassin's Creed series because AC 2 had a horse. - I was obsessed with horses and just having them was enough for me. I would play it just to get to ride the horse. Great video!
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I got into the Assassin's Creed series because AC 2 had a horse. - I was obsessed with horses and just having them was enough for me. I would play it just to get to ride the horse. Great video!
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-leodefine86
Zelda Breath Of Wild horses are so well done! The movements are almost perfect! It clearly shows that the designers really put on a great effort to do it as close to reality as possible!
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Zelda Breath Of Wild horses are so well done! The movements are almost perfect! It clearly shows that the designers really put on a great effort to do it as close to reality as possible!
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-alesbianhotmess
After playing botw every other game with horses feels weird. One in particular was oot. It was my first zelda game and I went to replay it and my goddess have we come far.
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After playing botw every other game with horses feels weird. One in particular was oot. It was my first zelda game and I went to replay it and my goddess have we come far.
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-polygon
Learning more about horse anatomy and how their legs work actually made me anti-horse so I hope you enjoyed this final glimpse into how horses work in video games. - Simone
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Learning more about horse anatomy and how their legs work actually made me anti-horse so I hope you enjoyed this final glimpse into how horses work in video games. - Simone
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-myfatassdick
There-s a really cool GDC talk on how the horses In rdr2 were made and it-s pretty damn deep with how they want it to be another character not just a car with legs
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There-s a really cool GDC talk on how the horses In rdr2 were made and it-s pretty damn deep with how they want it to be another character not just a car with legs
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-KhanaHatake
One of my favorite -little details- in BotW is that you can -feed your horse treats-. I always give my horse an apple before I board them, for a job well done!
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One of my favorite -little details- in BotW is that you can -feed your horse treats-. I always give my horse an apple before I board them, for a job well done!
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-driftingdruid
_patiently awaiting an equine update for Stardew Valley, so that the horse doesn't feel like a bike that auto-parks itself at home every night. _
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_patiently awaiting an equine update for Stardew Valley, so that the horse doesn't feel like a bike that auto-parks itself at home every night. _
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-Kitinelli
The best Zelda games are the ones with horses IMO. But I-m also wayyyyy more likely to buy your game if you have horses or some kind of animal mount.
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The best Zelda games are the ones with horses IMO. But I-m also wayyyyy more likely to buy your game if you have horses or some kind of animal mount.
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