The gaming industry continues to evolve with increasingly sophisticated graphical capabilities. A recent addition to this growing portfolio of realism is Secluded Orchid, a tech demo presented by indie developer FYQD Studio. This project sets a new standard for realism in gaming environments, employing Unreal Engine 5 and photogrammetry to create scenes almost indistinguishable from real-life landscapes. This article delves into the technology and methodologies employed by the FYQD Studio team in this venture.

The Ascendancy of Unreal Engine 5

In April, the DRAMA team captured attention with their UE5-powered first-person shooter, Unrecord. This initiated a wave of experiments by game developers and 3D artists, exploring the graphic potential of Unreal Engine 5. FYQD Studio seized this opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities through Secluded Orchid, a tech demo that pushes the boundaries of realism.

Crafting Hyper-Realistic Environments

The FYQD Studio team utilized around 5,000 8K photos to set up the environments for Secluded Orchid. These photos were converted into high-quality 3D models using RealityCapture and then imported into Unreal Engine 5. This blend of photogrammetry and advanced game engine technology resulted in a series of incredibly realistic 3D environments.

Asset Creation: A Combination of Resources

In addition to photographs and 3D models, the team incorporated a range of assets downloaded from online 3D libraries. These included MetaHuman arms and body for the character, lighters, iPhones, masks, photos, and trees. This approach minimized the time spent on asset creation, allowing the team to focus on other aspects of the project.

The Role of Motion Capture in Secluded Orchid

The animation process was streamlined using ROKOKO motion capture equipment. It took merely 20 minutes to capture the movements, although the studio admitted that the quality remains slightly unpolished. For the first time, FYQD Studio employed a motion capture system, specifically an inertial sensor system. While the system improved efficiency, the studio noted that it lags in accuracy compared to optical motion capture systems, which they are considering for future projects.

Timeline of Project Completion

The team took about half a month to complete the project, which included tasks such as arm model creation, control, cutscene animation, and user interface finalization.

Performance Benchmarks

FYQD Studio disclosed that Secluded Orchid is a tech demo and not an actual game. However, the scene could run at 60 FPS on an RTX 4070 GPU at 2K resolution.

Final Thoughts

Secluded Orchid serves as a compelling illustration of the heights achievable with current technology. While it is only a tech demo and unlikely to become a full-fledged game, it establishes Unreal Engine 5 and photogrammetry as powerful tools for future gaming experiences that aspire to hyper-realism.

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