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Creature Animation for Games

Animating Game Creatures Using Maya with Christian Brierley

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Description

Dive into the world of creature animation with this immersive workshop designed for aspiring animators and game developers, taught by Animation Lead, Christian Brierley. Whether you’re a beginner eager to explore the art of creature animation, or an experienced animator looking to refine your skills, this detailed workshop will equip you with the tools and techniques needed to create compelling, lifelike animations for video game creatures.


Over the course of 7.5 hours, you'll embark on a journey through the principles of creature animation, from proper reference collecting, motion studies, blocking out your key poses, and through to the final presentation. Christian will guide you through hands-on exercises and examples, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of how to breathe life into your 3D game characters.


This workshop uses the Runner Creature rig by Truong CG Artist with modeling and texture work done by Koushik Routh.


Duration: 7h 28m

Format: HD 1920x1080

Chapter List

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IMAGE GALLERY

  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games
  • Creature Animation for Games

Christian Brierley

Animation Lead at Manticore Games

Christian Brierley grew up on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago, where he developed a passion for 90s cartoons and Nintendo video games. His enthusiasm for art led him to the Art Institute of Miami, Florida, where he studied 3D animation. After completing his education, Christian relocated to California and has since accumulated over 17 years of experience in the animation industry. 


His extensive career spans video games, television, music videos, and feature films, showcasing his versatility across various mediums. Christian’s impressive credits include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Grand Theft Auto, Alvin and the Chipmunks, New World, Army Of Two, Mortal Kombat X, Gears Of War, Lost Planet 3, and Oddworld Soulstorm.


Follow Christian in X @Cbrrly. 

  • In recent years, Hidden Path Entertainment maintained a streamlined-yet-exceptionally effective animation team consisting of just four members, all of whom played pivotal roles in the creation of a AAA third-person open world sandbox RPG in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. What set this team apart was their combined proficiency in crafting animations specifically tailored for AAA titles. Among these animators, Christian distinguished himself as an outstanding creature animator. His profound understanding of gameanimation architecture allowed him to assume a leadership role in his area of expertise. Christian demonstrated remarkable collaboration skills, effectively coordinating with contractors and consistently delivering work of the highest artistic quality. His animations bore a distinct personality, reflecting his dedication and artistic flair.

    - Ted Warnock
    Gameplay Systems & Cinematic Lead/Senior Animator at Hidden Path Entertainment

  • Christian and I worked together during his time at Hidden Path. He is a phenomenal talent, who was excellent at bringing character and life into any creature that we threw at him. His organized approach to building style guides, laying out the processes for building pipelines and leading the charge on collaborating with art direction, design, and tech art ensured that in a very short time, we had some really cool-looking creature animations that elevated the quality of gameplay by leaps and bounds. Christian also demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude that is infectious and lifted the spirits of all he worked with. He worked with external teams and his patience and timely interventions greatly allowed our creature animation art scale new heights. His fearless approach and willingness to ask questions and understand problems are admirable and deeply appreciated.

    - Mukul Soman
    Project Art Director at Hidden Path Entertainment

  • I can't say enough about what a pleasure it was to work with Christian at Hidden Path. He really elevated the creature — and overall! — animations when he came on board. He was active in getting our mocap sessions running smoothly. This is a guy who gets out of his chair on Zoom calls with mocap actors to act out exactly what heis looking for! And with great results. On top of that, he was a great team member, always striving to get that last 10% of pose, emphasis, or personality from attacks and abilities. He had great suggestions and feedback for combat as well, because he was always playing the game.

    - Garrett Brown
    Sr. Combat Designer at Hidden Path Entertainment

  • Working alongside Christian was an absolute pleasure. His dedication to detail in his animations is truly commendable. Each of his creations not only captivates visually but also carries a delightful touch of humor, adding an extra layer of charm when required. Christian's skill as a creature animator is exceptional; he infuses every character he works on with a distinct personality, particularly shining in combat sequences where his talents truly come to the forefront.Beyond his animation talents, Christian shines as a Leader. His organizational prowess and proactive approach ensure that projects progress smoothly. His effective communication between departments facilitates seamless collaboration, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Christian's multifaceted abilities make him an invaluable asset to any team!

    - Lloyd Colaco
    Animation Director at Hidden Path Entertainment

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