Motion capture, voice acting and mapped animations are all extremely crucial parts of bringing characters to life in videogames. Modern enhancements have allowed almost unparalleled advancements in each of these fields, to the point where we’re able to capture individual expressions on an actor’s face and map them onto a 3D model. But it’s not just humans that are given this attention to detail. in fact, it’s sometimes all the other actors and contributors that make an experience that much sweeter.
Meet River. She’s a German Shepard, companion to the Lead Level Designer at Bethesda who is working on Fallout 4. Aside from being adorable, huggable and seemingly extremely friendly, River is also an important part to the entire Fallout 4 experience. She’s the real life actor for one of the very first (and possibly best) companions you’ll meet in-game, with River’s mannerisms, voice and more being captured to bring Dogmeat alive.
It’s so hard not to fall in love with Dogmeat – especially after seeing the real-life River- so it’s a good thing that your Wasteland pooch partner won’t be able to die during the course of the game. That goes for all of Fallout 4’s other 11 companions you will be able to find and string along. They’re vital to the story, and hence won’t go down no matter how many bullets you refuse to dive in the way of.
That’s not a bad thing, considering wonky AI can often lead to heart-breaking deaths that change the shape of an entire narrative. Fallout 4 is the type of RPG where that kind of loss would be impactful, but the journey you take with your companions is just as vital. And it seems Bethesda is far more concerned with this than heartbreaking, unscripted deaths.
Fallout 4 is out on November 10th. I can’t wait to say hi to River myself.
Last Updated: September 22, 2015
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 22, 2015 at 13:06
River Shmiver!
Commander JJ of the Normandy
September 22, 2015 at 13:19
Mixed breeds are the only and the best.
Kromas untamed
September 22, 2015 at 13:32
Too true.
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 14:26
My cats are not mixed breed….
Commander JJ of the Normandy
September 22, 2015 at 14:39
This I know 🙂
Somehow cat breeders have mostly managed not to completely f*#k up the species with inbreeding. Buying a pure breed dog supports a twisted tradition and business where many animals can barely still function normally, when you could rather save one from a shelter. But I know a lot of people go aapkak when I say that. :/
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 14:44
Yeah. When it came time to buy a dog in 2010, I looked at breeds and profiles. being used to cats, I could not believe how many health issues the dog breeds had, compared to the cats. Seriously, a lot more.
I got a kitten from a shelter once, had cat aids and wiped out some of my cats. Yay. Not doing that again.
When I buy a cat, I visit the breeder, I meet the breeders animals, the mommy (dad is normally on stud fee) and so forth. I want to know I am not buying from a farm, no more than one litter a year and so forth, with breaks in between and so forth. The breeder, being good, also wants to vet me. Will I provide a good, consistent home, good care, food and so forth.
Commander JJ of the Normandy
September 22, 2015 at 14:52
I get that man. And I respect it. Also, as you say, “purebreed” dogs tend to have a lot more issues somehow. The cat-aids is quite a problem too. I know someone whose cat also had that, had to be on meds for years, passed-away about a year ago. It’s something else that you don’t have to worry about with dogs.
We got our dog from a squatter camp, the end of her tail had been chopped off with something that must’ve been rather blunt, judging by the broken bones in the middle. But you could see in her eyes she was soft-hearted, so we took her in (even though we didn’t even have space at that time)
Now she’s well-looked after, sleeps in a warm bed and she’s happy. Makes me happy to say that I most probably saved her life.
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 15:01
awesome
Saratje
September 29, 2015 at 15:09
Here in the Netherlands Munchkins aren’t recognized as a breed, instead being officially noted as an undefined mix with an undesired deformity. It’s a good effort to keep the breed’s popularity at a minimum by denying any recognition as a breed.
Marc O Polo
September 22, 2015 at 14:01
River Tam… Dibs
(Umar) Must be Cipher
September 22, 2015 at 13:10
My heart only has place for one dog, and this one is not wearing an eyepatch.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 22, 2015 at 13:12
Those dogs are a diamond a dozen.
(Umar) Must be Cipher
September 22, 2015 at 13:17
http://www.daveshrein.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/youre-awesome.jpg
RinceThat
September 22, 2015 at 14:50
lol
RinceThat
September 22, 2015 at 14:47
D-Dog FTW
https://media1.giphy.com/media/DQ2144ApXzuxi/200.gif
Grand Admiral Chief
September 22, 2015 at 13:12
I’d get this game JUST FOR THE DOG!
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 13:13
Why? do you not want to play it?
And, how clever is your dog? Impressive!
Grand Admiral Chief
September 22, 2015 at 13:14
Indeed, dog is well skilled with KB and mouse.
Keeps on destroying controllers, refuses to use inferior tech
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 13:15
Ah, yes a Dog Snob. The best kind.
Mine just eats the kids toys she throws for him throw the windows. Which she can open at will. Sigh. And swims. a lot.
Grand Admiral Chief
September 22, 2015 at 13:13
Hahaha lekker bruin-oog die hond die screen!
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 13:14
Can we stop with Fallout 4 hype please?
Man. No pre-order. Get that? None.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 22, 2015 at 13:18
But it’s got a season pass too! With… something?… in it.
Kromas untamed
September 22, 2015 at 13:31
Nothing on this green planet will make me cancel my Pip-Boy Edition pre-orders.
Dutch Matrix
September 22, 2015 at 13:39
Pre-ORDERS???
Kromas untamed
September 22, 2015 at 13:44
Just 3.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 22, 2015 at 13:48
You know buying 3 Fallout 4’s won’t confirm HL3 right? 😉
Kromas untamed
September 22, 2015 at 13:52
A guy can dream can’t he?
Dutch Matrix
September 22, 2015 at 13:52
You earn way too much money…
Kromas untamed
September 22, 2015 at 13:53
Well. I just have a knack for saving my money for stupid crap.
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 14:16
I find my colleagues that are, for example, not married, have a lot more disposable income than I do.
Also, it seems the more I earn, the more we spend?
Commander JJ of the Normandy
September 22, 2015 at 14:40
I’m lucky in that respect. I tend to spend quite little. Because I earn so little ;P
Brady miaau
September 22, 2015 at 14:47
Yeah, but each according to the means and so on. And little is extremely subjective.
I have some weakness’s. Not gadgets, sometimes games. But eating out, good food. Yeah. Love that. Have a kid. Stops that one in its tracks. Solid.
Commander JJ of the Normandy
September 22, 2015 at 14:58
No kid for me, no tv either. No accounts at any store. No credit cards.
I do spend very little each month (even as a family), but “little” is certainly subjective, as you say.
Saratje
September 29, 2015 at 15:13
Or he scalping the other two copies. 😉
DragonSpirit009
September 22, 2015 at 14:26
Suddenly I’m missing my own two dogs T.T
RinceThat
September 22, 2015 at 14:49
Fable 2 still has a place in my heart 🙂