Aurélien Cordonnier

As a freelance rigger, I need to make sure my builds have a lot of flexibility. So I've recently reworked my lid modules to add variable joint counts. By utilizing a curve-based output I can changed the amount of joints used based on the needs of the project. Higher joint counts for fidelity and control, lower counts for simplicity and optimization. Or I can test and iterate to find a happy middle ground. So animators using my rigs on film or game projects can enjoy the same features, such as: - Automated lid follow with eye movement - Main controls to position the lids through translation and sculpt the curvature with rotation/scale  - Secondary controls for finer detail (If there are enough joints to support it) - Manual or automated blinking. Animate controls, or activate the automated meet point between your posed lids for a perfect seal I've been using iterations of this system over my last few projects, both commercials and games. The core elements of this system have been floating around in my head since 2018, so it's been great to finally put it to the test. 

1,528

27 Comments

We've been implementing Neural Texture compression in #Assassinscreedmirage. The overall benefit results in better quality textures for less GPU memory usage (links in the first comment). If you followed the topic since our GDC2024 presentation ,this a very practical application of La Forge's mission to bridge the academic world with Ubisoft. #ubisoft #ubisoftlaforge #innovation 👇 "If you've been thinking, like I have, that we're still some way off seeing AI being used in games for more than just upscaling or frame generation, then it's time to think again" (...) "Enter stage left, neural texture compression to cut down on that memory demand. Given the state of the DRAM and SSD market right now, you can bet your last dollar that a whole heap of game developers will be looking closely at what Ubisoft has done to see if it can help out in their games, too"

175

8 Comments

Following up on my previous post about using Modular Rig for simple environment animation, but this time focusing on a mechanical prop. This prop uses slightly more complex module than the previous one, and the results were honestly a bit surprising (in a good way). ➤ What worked well ✅ Moving beyond single-joint motion is doable, as long as the prop parts are spitted with animation in mind. ✅ Building a skeleton and painting skin weights directly in Unreal works well for this prop, which has a moderate complexity. ✅ Mechanical modules like Hinge and Piston are already well supported out of the box and easy to reason about. ➤ Where friction shows up ⚠️ This still isn’t a full DCC replacement. The quality of the result depends heavily on how well the asset is designed and segmented upfront. ➤ Bigger takeaway For me, this reinforced that Modular Rig lowers the barrier to keeping work entirely in-engine and expands what environment art and level design can include, especially for smaller projects where DCC round-trips aren’t available or are too costly. On top of that, it could potentially enable iteration to happen directly in the level. Still exploring, but I’m curious how others are thinking about where this kind of workflow fits into their pipelines. 🤔 #UnrealEngine #UE5 #TechnicalAnimation #GameDev #TechnicalArt #LevelDesign #ControlRig #AnimationPipeline

352

13 Comments

Why External Development Summit (XDS) Felt Magical I just returned from my first week in Vancouver, and I have to say that XDS was not only one of the best games events I have been to, it was one of the best professional experiences I have ever had. On the way home, I asked myself why it felt so special, and what lessons we can all carry into the events we attend, help shape, or plan. Here are a few things that stood out: 1. The relaxed, welcoming format. Conversations flowed naturally. One or two people could wander over and join, and groups were always open. It was professional without being stiff, and that made all the difference. 2. Always-on onboarding. Instead of just a single welcome social, there was a constant awareness that many were new. The event made sure everyone felt included and knew what was going on. At other conferences, you often have no idea what you are missing. Here, that was never the case. 3. Clarity of purpose and identity. XDS knows what it is: a hub for external development with a proud Canadian games identity. That clarity makes the event feel cohesive, focused, and authentic. 4. Shared experiences. Everyone participated together in the big moments, from sessions to evening gatherings. It avoided the “secret invite” vibe and instead made everyone feel part of the same community. 5. Cooperation above competition. While many vendors were pursuing the same business, I watched people set that aside. I saw peers recommend one another in front of developers, even when chasing the same opportunity. In a time when finding work is tough, that spirit of friendship and mutual support was rare and inspiring. 6. Clear and calm communication. The logistics were excellent. I never felt bombarded, but I always knew what was happening and what I needed to do. It was organized, transparent, and simple. Exactly what you want as an attendee. I will carry those lessons into every future conference I attend, and I hope others will too.

100

15 Comments

The closure of Ubisoft Halifax and the layoffs at Rockstar are stark reminders of how quickly talent availability shifts. For Studio Heads, this is a signal to update your headcount planning immediately. When a studio closes, you have a window of about 2-3 weeks to engage pre-formed teams. These are groups of developers who already have shorthand, established workflows, and trust. If you have the budget, "acqui-hiring" a functional pod from a closing studio is one of the most efficient ways to scale. Don't wait for them to apply to your portal. You need to be proactive. #TalentStrategy #Hiring #GameJobs

45

1 Comment

For everyone who is not attending GDC: Relax. It’s not a big deal. You’re not missing any "incredible opportunities." Your opportunities come from how great and desirable your products are, not from the conferences you attend. Networking matters, but it’s not just about party invites. Your online presence is just as powerful (if not more). P.S. And yes, I'm not attending GDC either. Instead of spending days on flights and nights in overpriced hotels, I’d rather get some work done.

187

21 Comments

This week in Montréal the industry marked two serious milestones: the launch of Montreal Games Week and the return of MIGS 25. This is not just about one conference anymore. It is about a full week of games, business, culture and collaboration. For anyone in devs, publishing or services: - Week-long events equal more chances to engage, learn and network beyond the standard format. - Multiple formats (indie showcases plus B2B plus services) signal that external development and partnerships are front of mind. - Montréal continues to hold global relevance as a place for serious industry conversation and deals. Think about how you show up in this broader industry week, not just the big call event. #GameDev #Publishing #MIGS #MontrealGames #GamingIndustry

37

Hey, if it ain't broken... Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 studio doesn’t plan on expanding its scale of development. “We’re just the right size for a full-price turn-based RPG” Expand as needed. Don't expand for expansion sake Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 became one of 2025’s most acclaimed games, with many praising its development approach. Despite its success, Sandfall Interactive isn’t planning to scale up. “For now, I’d prefer working as a small team… when it comes to making a full-priced turn-based RPG, I believe that the team we have now is just the right size,” - Tom Guillermin. Creative director Guillaume Broche emphasized that although QA, localization, and marketing were outsourced, the core team was small: “We had five people working on environments, two on the story… music was done by four people.” Guillermin noted that some members were fresh graduates, which allowed them to adapt easily to the studio’s unique workflow. I’ve been in gaming long enough to watch studios grow chasing the next spectacle, only to collapse under their own weight. There’s something powerful about a studio that knows its limits and embraces them. Instead of scaling up just because they found success, Sandfall is doubling down on what worked: a tight, artistically driven team making exactly the kind of game they believe in. In E33, they were able to focus on what matters most and do a small amount of things really well rather than do a ton of things that are just alright. We’ve been conditioned to equate size with value. But Expedition 33 proves that restraint can actually enhance quality. While I would have welcomed a longer runtime, I was grateful to play something polished, beautiful, and complete. Games like this remind me that focused titles aren’t just viable, they might be what the industry needs most.

136

10 Comments

Reflections from GDC. I’ve been on the development side and the executive side (and maybe doing both at the moment) so I’ve got some perspective. This whole “We want AAA games for AA budgets” thing is dumb. You’re just going to get a AA game (nothing wrong with that but be honest about it) or possibly drive all of game dev to Eastern Europe and Asia (maybe there’s nothing wrong with that either, but our industry will be suits in NA or EU and no real game creation happening here). If all you’ve got are smaller budgets, then go invest in a dozen indie games with the hope for 1-2 breakouts. I think it’s still an untapped space and a big publisher could rescue many of them from Steam obscurity. If you want AAA then it’s going to cost real money. To reduce your risk then, you’ll need to playtest the hell out of it, including retention beyond 7 days, and be prepared to pivot until it’s testing well. Even these games will require heavy outsourcing but doesn’t need to mean moving 100% of game development east. Our game is AAA, being developed with a small (for an MMO) core team with extensive outsourcing. It feels sustainable. For now.

727

72 Comments

#AutodeskPartner Just got back from #AU2025 with Autodesk and, honestly, I’m still processing everything I saw. The scale of updates this year is huge, and as a game developer and animator, a few things stood out right away: - AI everywhere: from an automatic face animator for NPCs, to MotionMaker, blending keyframe, mocap, and AI for faster loops, to a new AI assistant that takes care of repetitive Maya/3ds Max tasks with simple commands. - Tools for everyone: Flow Studio now has a free tier — a big win for indie teams looking to get mocap into their pipeline quickly. - Seamless collaboration: features like Flow Shared Playlists that connect Flow Capture to Flow Production Tracking, smoothing out the messy parts of reviews. - Core tool updates: Maya gets Arnold 5.5.4 and stronger USD support, while 3ds Max also sees important pipeline improvements. The message was clear: more AI, more access, more connected pipelines. And being there in person, I really felt Autodesk pushing to remove the tedious stuff so we, as artists, can focus on the creative. In a time where AI can feel overwhelming or even negative, Autodesk’s approach felt like a reminder that the right tools, in the right context, can empower us instead of replace us. I captured some of my thoughts in this short video — would love to hear what you think about these updates and where AI in our workflows is headed. #MakeAnything https://lnkd.in/em3iXdRR

30