BEHIND THE SCENES OF SKULL AND BONES

3dsense Media School (3dsense): On LinkedIn, you mentioned working on the animated sails pipeline for Skull and Bones. Can you elaborate on your role and the pipeline process?

Barry Lim (BL): Skull and Bones is a multiplayer open-world AAA game set during the Golden Age of Piracy. Ships and naval combat are at the heart of the game design.

When I joined Ubisoft Singapore, my team focused on creating efficient workflows for sail animations. Traditional cloth animation methods using either game engine physics or hand-keyed animation were computationally costly. We adopted a bone-based deformation system leveraging machine learning and a process called SSDR.

Using Houdini, we generated sail simulations with Vellum and applied template animations to different sails. The data was then processed through SSDR, skinned in 3ds Max, and finalized in Motion Builder. This optimized game development process reduced the animation workflow from weeks to days.

TL;DR: Houdini Vellum for simulations, 3ds Max for rigging, and Motion Builder for animations, an example of cutting-edge graphics technology at work.

3dsense: What’s your favorite thing about working on Skull and Bones?

BL: The collaborative spirit within my development team. We share knowledge generously and tackle technical challenges together, making it a supportive environment, one of the best aspects of working in AAA game development.

BL: Starting as a senior animator without experience in 3ds Max, Houdini, or Motion Builder was daunting. However, my background in CG animation gave me a strong foundation. I openly admitted my limitations and focused on my strengths. With support from my game designers and teammates, I quickly learned the tools.

Lesson learned: Never hesitate to ask questions, even simple ones. The people who hired you believe in your abilities.

3dsense: What games do you enjoy, and what excites you about Skull and Bones?

BL: I enjoy indie games, solo survival, and crafting games. In Skull and Bones, I’m looking forward to the multiplayer aspects, where I can team up with friends, strategize, and immerse myself in the game world. It’s a nod to my early days of social gaming.

3dsense: How does animation in the film industry differ from the gaming industry?

BL: The core animation principles remain the same. However, game animation requires cleaner, more efficient techniques due to real-time rendering constraints. In contrast, film animation has higher production values, allowing for more polished visuals without game engine limitations.

This is where AAA titles push boundaries, balancing stunning visuals with technical performance.

BL:

• Rain your eye for detail—small refinements make animations feel feature complete.
• Apply the 12 principles of animation—they are just as crucial in video games as in film.
• Live fully—your life experiences enrich your ability to create authentic animations.

Our 1-Year Visual Effects & Animation Diploma teaches the foundations of 3D modeling, animation, and VFX, before letting students specialize in game development, rigging, FX artistry, and compositing.

Want to break into AAA game development? Explore the program and take the first step toward your creative future.

Find out more here.

Connect with Barry Lim:

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