GAMEPLAY ANIMATION MASTERY
THE ULTIMATE GAMEPLAY ANIMATION COURSE
Our Gameplay Animation course, is designed to educate you on how to make your characters interactable inside a game engine. Powered by Unreal Engine 5 you will create believable in game character movement and an awe-inspiring boss confrontations.
Guided by industry experts, this course serves as your portal to mastering the nuances of character motion, combat animations, and the crafting of formidable boss encounters. Equipped with expert mentoring and state-of-the-art tools, this course empowers you to unleash your creative potential and become a fully competent Animator and Game Developer.
Instructor: Jerome Rodgers-Blake & Fouad Torriss
Skill Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Project Files: Included
AAA Community Discord Server
Pro tools and scripts Included
Course Duration: 12 weeks
Course Fee: £1195 GBP
Exclusive Character Rigs
Certificates Awarded
Software Autodesk Maya & Unreal Engine 5
EXCLUSIVE GAMEPLAY ANIM RIGS
All rigs seen below are free to download for students of this course
Spartan Leandros
Spartan warrior rig: powerful, exudes strength. Muscular physique, stoic demeanor bring epic battles to life. Perfect for action-packed animations, ideal for HEROIC combat scenes.
Brobdrakian Dweller
Colossal, serpentine monster. Terrifying presence dominates the screen. Perfect for EPIC action animations, dynamic serpentine movements capture its immense power
THE TYRANT
Majestic rig with fiery presence; unleashes power and cunning for epic Game of Thrones battles!
GAURDIAN SPIDER
Monster Spiders: Sinister rigs with eerie charm; weave intricate animations of suspense and arachnid terror!
CARTOON CAT
Playful rig bursting with personality; perfect for whimsical antics and exaggerated expressions in animated adventures
BROBDRAKIAN DWELLER
Massive rig embodying serpentine terror; perfect for unleashing colossal fury and primal menace
COURSE BREAKDOWN
WEEK 01: GAMEPLAY ANIMATION FOUNDATIONS
In this foundational lesson, we dive deep into the world of gameplay animation. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the gameplay animator’s role, from crafting realistic character movements to collaborating effectively with other game development teams. We’ll also introduce the concept of root motion, exploring its importance in creating dynamic and immersive gameplay experiences. By the end of this week, you’ll be equipped with the essential knowledge to embark on your journey as a gameplay animator.
Key Learning Objectives:
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Define the role of a gameplay animator.
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Understand the fundamentals of root motion.
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Explore the integration of animation and gameplay mechanics.
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Begin familiarizing yourself with Unreal Engine 5 and Autodesk Maya.
WEEK 02 | MASTERING CHARACTER MOVEMENT: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR GAMEPLAY ANIMATION
This week focuses on creating and engaging character movement. You'll learn essential animation techniques to bring your Spartan and Brobdrakian Dweller to life. We'll cover locomotion, basic actions, and the importance of reference and timing.
Key Learning Objectives:
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Develop a strong understanding of character movement principles for games
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Create & implement locomotion animations.
By the end of this week, you'll have a solid foundation in character movement, essential for building complex gameplay animations.
WEEK 03 | PLAYER DEFENSIVE ANIMATIONS AND GAMEPLAY
This week delves into the crucial aspect of character defense. You'll learn how to create believable defensive animations, such as blocking and dodging. Understanding these mechanics is essential for creating dynamic and engaging combat interactions.
Key Learning Objectives:
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Develop a strong understanding of defensive combat mechanics.
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Create effective blocking and dodging/evasive animations.
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Explore the relationship between defensive animations and character movement.
By the end of this week, you'll be able to equip your characters with essential defensive tools for combat.
WEEK 04 | CREATING DEADLY COMBOS
This week shifts focus to offensive maneuvers. You'll learn how to design and animate various attack types, from light and heavy strikes to complex combos. We'll also explore the importance of impact and readability in combat animations.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Develop a strong understanding of offensive combat mechanics.
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Create diverse and impactful attack animations (light, heavy, special).
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Design fluid and engaging combo animations.
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Learn the importance of impact and readability in combat animations.
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By the end of this week, your characters will have a formidable arsenal of offensive moves.
WEEK 05 | BRINGING THE BOSS TO LIFE: CREATING IMPOSING AND THREATENING BEHAVIOR
This week shifts focus to the Brobdrakian Dweller, the formidable boss of your game. You'll learn to animate imposing and threatening movement for a large, powerful character. We'll cover locomotion, idle poses, and basic attacks to establish the boss's presence.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Understand the principles of animating large, powerful characters.
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Create imposing locomotion and idle animations for the boss.
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Develop a sense of scale and weight for the Brobdrakian Dweller.
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By the end of this week, you'll have a solid foundation for building a menacing boss character.
WEEK 06 | BOSS DEFENSE MECHANICS: PROTECTING THE BROBDRAKIAN DWELLER
This week continues to focus on the Brobdrakian Dweller. You'll learn how to create effective defensive animations for the boss, such as blocking, dodging, and area-of-effect defenses. We'll explore how to balance the boss's size and power with its ability to defend itself.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Create believable defensive animations for a large character.
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Develop defensive strategies that complement the boss's overall character.
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Balance the boss's size and power with its defensive capabilities.
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By the end of this week, your Brobdrakian Dweller will be able to withstand the Spartan's attacks with impressive defensive prowess.
WEEK 07: BOSS OFFENSIVE MECHANICS: CREATING & IMPLEMENTING DEVASTATING ATTACKS
This week focuses on equipping the Brobdrakian Dweller with a formidable arsenal. You'll learn to create devastating attacks, such as area-of-effect damage, grabs, and powerful single-target strikes. We'll explore how to design attacks that are both visually impressive and strategically effective.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Create impactful and varied attack animations for the boss.
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Design attacks that effectively utilize the boss's size and strength.
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Balance offensive power with defensive capabilities.
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By the end of this week, your Brobdrakian Dweller will be a terrifying force to be reckoned with.
WEEK 08 | HIT REACTIONS: BRINGING COMBAT TO LIFE
This week focuses on adding depth and realism to combat interactions. You'll learn how to create convincing hit reactions for both the Spartan and the Brobdrakian Dweller. We'll cover a range of hit types, from light impacts to critical blows, and explore how to create satisfying visual and physical responses.
Key Learning Objectives:
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Create and implement believable hit reactions.
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Explore the relationship between hit reactions and gameplay feedback.
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By the end of this week, your combat interactions will be more dynamic and engaging.
WEEK 09 | BOSS PHASE 1: ESTABLISHING THE BATTLE
This week marks the beginning of building the boss battle. We'll focus on the first phase of the encounter, establishing the Brobdrakian Dweller's initial behavior and attack patterns. You'll learn how to create a sense of progression and build anticipation for the upcoming challenges.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Develop the Brobdrakian Dweller's 1st Phase move set.
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Create a compelling introduction to the boss fight.
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Understand the importance of pacing and rhythm in boss battles.
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By the end of this week, you'll have a solid foundation for the first phase of the boss encounter.
WEEK 10: BOSS PHASE 2: INTENSIFYING THE CONFLICT
This week focuses on escalating the boss battle. You'll learn how to introduce new and more challenging attacks and behaviors for the Brobdrakian Dweller. We'll also explore the concept of boss phases and how to effectively transition between them.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Develop a new set of attacks for the boss's second phase.
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Create a clear transition between the first and second phases.
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Build on the established boss character to create a more intense encounter.
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By the end of this week, the Brobdrakian Dweller will pose a significantly greater threat to the Spartan.
WEEK 11: STUNNING FINISHER IMPLEMENTATION: CREATING A DRAMATIC CLIMAX
This week focuses on adding a dramatic climax to the boss battle. You'll learn how to create a powerful and satisfying finisher animation for the Spartan. We'll also cover the process of importing animations into Unreal Engine 5 and setting up the necessary gameplay logic.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Create a visually impressive and impactful finisher animation.
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Set up gameplay logic for the finisher and boss defeat.
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By the end of this week, you'll have a complete and satisfying conclusion to your boss battle.
WEEK 12: POLISHING YOUR BOSS BATTLE: MASTERING GAMEPLAY IMPLEMENTATION
The final week is dedicated to refining and polishing your boss battle. You'll learn about the importance of balancing difficulty, optimizing performance, and addressing potential issues. We'll cover techniques for testing and debugging your animations, ensuring a seamless and engaging player experience.
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Key Learning Objectives:
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Fine-tune animation timing and pacing for optimal gameplay.
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Test and debug animations to identify and fix issues.
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Understand the importance of playtesting and iteration.
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Learn how to create and utilize animation blueprints for advanced animation control.
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By the end of this week, you'll have created a polished and professional boss battle ready to impress.
COURSE BENEFITS
Project Files: Included
Your instructor has prepared your files in an easy to digest format.
AAA Community Discord Server
When you join AAA you gain access to our private server, to communicate with other students.
Pro tools and scripts
AAA is invested in your success. That's why we have bundled our tools and scripts in this course.
Study in your own time
Have a busy schedule? no problem at AAA you can study in your own time.
Certificates Awarded
Show off your new skills, online and on your CV!
24/7 Customer Support
AAA is committed to your development, this is why we offer 24/7 customer support to ensure you have a smooth learning experience.
"I pride myself on animation excellence, which is a value I impart on my students. helping them to become the exceptional Animators"
MY STUDENT SHOWCASE
MY PERSONAL SHOWREEL
About Jerome
Jerome is a highly experienced expert Animation Consultant, and acting Lead Animator. With nearly a decades worth of experience in the Games industry, Jerome has contributed to the development of numerous AAA titles such as;
Totalwar: Warhammer 2 (2018)
Totalwar: Warhammer 3 (2021)
Lords of the Fallen (2023)
Dune Awakening TBC
He's extensive knowledge and expertise in Animation and game development. gives has put him in the unique position where he is in charge of Animation departments, ensuring the quality on projects that have been enjoyed by millions.
Being a prominent figure in the Animation industry, recognized for his contributions as a speaker at GDC Microtalks 2022 and speaking at several universities.
His passion for sharing his expertise and enabling animators to excel to excellence, comes through in his hands on approach to teaching. . .
Explore our products and services or for the most clarity book a call with us, excel to excellence and gain a competitive edge in this captivating industry.