L.A. Noire uses MotionScan instead of traditional motion capture

Depth Analysis, a Sydney-based technology company, has announced MotionScan – its new motion capture system for games and movies.

'So what?', you may ask. Well, it's being used in L.A. Noire - that's what.

MotionScan's the 3D motion-capture system powering Rockstar's Team Bondi game, and it promises a "radical impact on the quality of performances" expected for the title.

"Traditional motion capture could never bring to life the subtle nuances of the chaotic criminal underworld of L.A. Noire in the same way as MotionScan," said Team Bondi founder and director, Brendan McNamara.

"MotionScan allows me to immerse audiences in the most minute details of L.A. Noire’s interactive experience, where the emotional performances of the actors allow the story to unfold in a brand new way. Through this revolutionary technology, we’re able to deliver audiences a truly unique and revolutionary game.”

MotionScan uses 32 High Definition cameras to capture three-dimensional performances at up to 30 frames per second, and is capable of capturing up to 50 minutes of final footage and processing up to 20 minutes of facial animation automatically per day.

It also records every "emotional detail, mannerism, and facial nuance accurately frame by frame as 3D models" with markers and phosphorescent paint not needed on the actors at the time of recording.

Cool.

You can read the full thing for yourself through the press release here (via Joystiq).

The game is out in the fall for PS3 and Xbox 360, and remember, don't skip the cutscenes.