Stay Alive Spyglass Entertainment Director: Brent Bell One aspect of the visual effects that proved to be a formidable challenge became the look of the game itself. We wanted to achieve something that could be qualified as next generation but yet still believable. To achieve this directive, we incorporated well-known and used CG film techniques into game style scenarios. Since film benefits from rendering while most games rely on real-time graphics engines, we wanted to integrate the more time-expensive rendering assets into our faux gaming world. For example, we used 3D motion blur, ray-traced reflections and shadows, area lights, and volume lighting effects. All of these techniques are making their way into games now as the graphics cards and systems become more robust and real-time shaders gain sophistication. In addition, we wanted to go for a stylized look relying on a heavier application of ambient occlusion. We added cloth simulation and hair rendering. All of these techniques have been creeping into gaming gradually as gaming and feature film converge. In this way, the game itself could be considered groundbreaking.