Preview from Xbox 360 Australia Magazine (June Issue) || Confirmation on Euphoria!

[Asif]

The magazine doesn't have much new to tell, yet they are confirmed about Euphoria being implemented into the game.

GTAIV incorporates developer NaturalMotion's revolutionary Euphoria animation engine, the same system being used by LucasArts in its upcoming Star Wars and Indiana Jones games. The Euphoria engine basically simulates the human body and nervous system , essentially doing away with scripted animations by enabling game characters that independently react to their surroundings in real time. For example, in the demo we were given, Niko automatically dropped his shoulders in order to squeeze past pedestrians walking on the pavement, and his footsteps and sense of balance adjusted to uneven patches of the street, as well as stairs and the rungs on the telegraph pole he climbed. By incorporating Euphoria, Rockstar is really adding a new layer of unpredictability to a style of game that was already highly random. Getting nudged by a slow moving car will likely result in an "I'm walkin' here" kind of reaction,whereas getting hit at top speed will see you dragged under the wheels, rolled up and over the bonnet or flung sideways - it all depends on what direction you were facing, the speed of the car, how fast you were walking, and so on.
Euphoria should also have a major impact on combat. Shooting an enemy in the leg might cause them to fall and shooting them in the shoulder might disarm them, and the direction you attack an enemy from might also determine the result of your actions - creep up behind them and you should get an easy headshot, but take them on face to face and they could well flinch or duck out of the way. Melee combat should also benefit from the use of Euphoria, as you should be able to throw people into walls, furniture or even off rooftops so that they flail desperately to grab for the edge of a fire escape as they plummet to their doom.

Source post

Scans at GTA4.fr

[Ash_735]

Finally, now that settles the Ragdoll question. Things are starting to shape up well for Rockstar.

[FG]

Thanks Asif ,that answers the wondering on ragdolls.Can't wait to see the impact it has on combat.

[Xan]

The possibilities with Euphoria are endless! And combined with a game like GTA makes for the game of the year in my book

[T-Virus]

By incorporating Euphoria, Rockstar is really adding a new layer of unpredictability to a style of game that was already highly random.

Best quote ever

This is just getting more and more exciting!

[FireFox2]

@Asif...great stuff chomping at the bit here to see how this effect's combat,also the raggdoll effect's

[Slim Trashman]

Well fuck, this calls for a celebration! Euphoria in Grand Theft Auto.. just WOW!

[T-Virus]

Not WOW, just..euphoria!

Can't wait to see what impact this will have on our beloved GTA. Improved combat is one of the things that is REALLY needed.

[Slim Trashman]

Improved combat? Oh that's only one small fraction of what we'll get out of this. There's so much more that's going to be insanely improved with this engine.

[5tatic]

I hope they make it as realistic as possible. I don't want peds flying around after they get shot with a 9mm pistol.

It'd be awesome if you crash into a wall at top speed, and Nico flys out the front window.

[swallowed]

I knew that this was going to be in IV, I've said it many times before but this game is getting better and better!

[Slim Trashman]

@Static, Ouch but I too would love to see that.

I want to see stuff like if Niko hits a pedestrian while running on the sidewalk with his shoulder, the pedestrian has loses balance or even falls down if hit fast enough. I want to see some amazing death animations that make you believe you actually just killed someone. If a pedestrian is shot in the shoulder, I want to see that force effect them, that side of the body swinging backwards as the bullet enters or passes through their body, etc.

[FireFox2]

Originally Posted by Slim Trashman

Improved combat? Oh that's only one small fraction of what we'll get out of this. There's so much more that's going to be insanely improved with this engine.

Yeh , the so much else part is what I've been counting on....awesome ! ST

[Asif]

I am really looking forward to see how the effect would go in the game, when you run-over someone or get run-over by someone with a car.

[Mazzlow]

lol, am I the only person feeling proud of R* for going out and getting this engine, like it was my kid or something?

rofl if I am, then I have problems.