Agenda
Visceral Visual Effects in 'Marvel's Wolverine'
Matthew Bennett (Principal Effects Artist, Insomniac Games)
Pass Type:
Academic Pass, Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass, Indie Pass, Start-Up Pass -
Get your pass now!
Track:
Visual Art
Audience Level:
All
Format:
Lecture
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
This session explores the visual effects behind blood and heightened senses in Marvel's Wolverine. The speaker breaks down how the FX team approached visceral effects through procedural simulation workflows, real-time physics, material-driven rendering techniques, and deforming geometry. The talk examines the blood pipeline, including how simulated data is generated, converted into runtime-friendly behavior, and connected to in-game physics and particle-based fluid shading.
The session also covers Wolverine's senses, which needed to suggest atmosphere, scent, and volume without using traditional volumetrics. Instead, the team uses material-based techniques paired with deforming mesh technology to create stylized sensory effects that feel grounded in the world. Attendees see how these systems support effects that are performant, art-directable, interactive, and deeply connected to character and gameplay.
The session also covers Wolverine's senses, which needed to suggest atmosphere, scent, and volume without using traditional volumetrics. Instead, the team uses material-based techniques paired with deforming mesh technology to create stylized sensory effects that feel grounded in the world. Attendees see how these systems support effects that are performant, art-directable, interactive, and deeply connected to character and gameplay.
Takeaway
Attendees gain practical techniques for building visceral real-time visual effects, including converting simulated data into gameplay-ready physics, faking volumetric sensory effects, and using bespoke deforming mesh technology to ground stylized effects in the world. They leave with production-tested strategies for balancing simulation, art direction, readability, interactivity, and performance.
Intended Audience
This session is intended for visual effects artists, technical artists, procedural artists, graphics engineers, and art-focused gameplay developers. It is most useful for attendees familiar with real-time VFX, particle systems, shaders, procedural workflows, or engine-based content workflows. No project-specific knowledge is required.