BOSS FIGHT ANIMATIONS. Structure of a Boss Fight Animation and How it Preconditions a Player’s Actions

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to study and create a boss fight animation for a fictional game character, MauMau2000. Qualitative methods were used by analysing existing villains and their boss fight animations, and by prototyping own animation. The research started by explaining how villains are created and what makes an effective villain for a game. It explained what types of villains there are in games and describes some of them, in relation to the different types of villains, as well as studying what are the visual characteristics that typically makes them identifiable and their function. Then the topic of animation in games, particularly the principal of Anticipation was discussed to understand how it works to communicate to the player. Based on all the research own character was created and this process is described thoroughly as well as animating a fight sequence and evaluating the result of it. Finally, it was proven that the Principle of Anticipation is a highly communicative tool for players when tailored carefully and the resulting animation was an effective test to understand how this principle should function in order to be engaging and a successful part of gameplay.