History Main / RagDollPhysics

Obviously in 2D there is often little that resembles real physics. Once video games made the jump to 3D, however, great opportunities opened up. At the start, environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with anything else, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, nothing would happen. Enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

As the power of computers and consoles improved, developers were able to make objects in the world more reactive to the free choices of the player. A ball would roll down a hill not because it was pre-programmed to do so, but because it obeyed the rules of an in-game "physics engine."

* The UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 game ''VideoGame/RocketRobotOnWheels'' was an earlier game to utilize physics, with the "tractor beam" variant. Interesting, the tractor beam allowed for some unusual consequences of the engine: Picking up a sufficiently round (or rolling) object, and wedging a floating platform between it and Rocket through the tractor beam, allowed you to roll along the platform on the object!

* ''VideoGame/MaxPayne 2'' featured a number of pseudo-cutscenes which revolved around the camera zooming in on someone you'd just shot so that you could watch the physics in action. Often the bad guys who triggered this event would be set up so that they ran at you across a plank high up between buildings or something, to make for truly epic slow-motion plummeting. The game was one of the earlier titles to have a somewhat more realistic style of ragdolling, in that limbs on deceased characters didn't flop around and bend at impossible angles.

This was obviously a step towards realism, but it had a major shortcoming: due to a lack of programming for realistic joints, weight, and range-of-motion, bodies and limbs tend to flail and flop around wildly in a way less like an actual human body and more like a ragdoll - hence the name - with often unintentionally humorous results.

Obviously in 2D there is often little that resembles real physics. Once video games made the jump to 3D, however, great opportunities opened up. At the start, environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with other objects, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, nothing would happen. Enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

Obviously in 2D there is often little that resembles real physics. Once video games made the jump to 3D, however, greatly opportunities opened up. At the start, environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with other objects, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, nothing would happen. Enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

Obviously in 2D there is often little that resembles real physics. However, even once video games made the jump to 3D, the environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with other objects, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, they would remain frozen and immobile. Enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

Pretty cool stuff, and for basic shapes such as boxes or spheres, it was fairly easy to make convincing in-game physics. Modeling the human body, unfortunately, is much more difficult. As a compromise, and as a way to achieve ''some'' level of realism, "ragdoll physics" was invented: bodies in-game were programmed with a few basic parts and articulations, and when a character died the body went limp, like a marionette with the strings cut. The body remained interactive, able to be sent flying by an explosion, or with the player able to shove or move it.

This was obviously a step towards realism, but it has a major shortcoming: due to a lack of programming for realistic joints, weight, and range-of-motion, bodies and limbs tend to flail and flop around wildly in a way less like an actual human body and more like a ragdoll - hence the name - with often unintentionally humorous results.

This was obviously a step towards realism, but it has a major shortcoming: due to a lack of programming for realistic joints, weight, and range-of-motion, bodies and limbs tend to flail and flop around in a way less like an actual human body and more like a ragdoll - hence the name - with often unintentionally humorous results.

Pretty cool stuff, and for basic shapes such as boxes or spheres, it was fairly easy to make convincing in-game physics. Modeling the human body, unfortunately, is much more difficult. As a compromise, and as a way to achieve ''some'' level of realism, "ragdoll physics" was invented: bodies in-game were programmed with a few basic parts and articulations, and when a character dies the body goes limp, like a marionette with the strings cut. The body remains interactive, able to be sent flying by an explosion, or with the player able to shove or move it.

Obviously in 2D there is often little that resembles real physics. However, even once video games made the jump to 3D, the environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with other objects, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, they would remain frozen and immobile. Similarly, enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

In 2D, obviously there is often little that resembles real physics. However, even once video games made the jump to 3D, the environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with other objects, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, they would remain frozen and immobile. Similarly, enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

This was obviously a step towards realism, but it has a major shortcoming: due to lack of programming for realistic joints, weight, and range-of-motion, bodies and limbs tend to flail and flop around in a way less like an actual human body and more like a ragdoll - hence the name - with often unintentionally humorous results.

Pretty cool stuff, and for basic shapes such as boxes or spheres, it was fairly easy to make convincing in-game physics. Modeling the human body, unfortunately, is much more difficult. As a compromise, and as a way to achieve ''some'' level of realism, "ragdoll physics" was invented: bodies in-game were programmed with a few basic parts and articulations, and when a character dies the body goes limp, like a marionette with the strings cut. The body remains interactive, able to be sent flying by an explosion, or with the player shoving or moving it.

In 2D, obviously often there is little that resembles real physics. However, even once video games made the jump to 3D, the environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with other objects, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, they would remain frozen and immobile. Similarly, enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

This was obviously a step towards realism, but it has a major shortcoming: due to lack of programming for realistic joints, weight, and range-of-motion, bodies and limbs tend to flail and flop around in a way less like an actual human body and more like a ragdoll - hence the name.

This was obviously a step towards realism, but it has a major drawback: due to lack of programming for realistic joints, weight, and range-of-motion, bodies and limbs tend to flail and flop around in a way less like an actual human body and more like a ragdoll - hence the name.

Pretty cool stuff, and for basic shapes such as boxes or spheres, it was fairly easy to make convincing in-game physics. Modeling the human body, unfortunately, is much more difficult. As a compromise, and as a way to achieve ''some'' level of realism, "ragdoll physics" was invented: bodies in-game were programmed with a few basic parts and articulations, and when a character dies the body goes limp, like a marionette with the strings cut. The body remains interactive, able to be sent flying by an explosion, or with the player interacting with it.

As the power of computers and video game consoles improved, developers were able to make objects in the world more reactive to the free choices of the player. A ball would roll down a hill not because it was pre-programmed to do so, but because it obeyed the rules of an in-game "physics engine."

In 2D, obviously there is little that resembles real physics. However, even once video games made the jump to 3D, the environments remained largely static; objects could not be moved, apart from certain ones used for solving puzzles (such as pushing a particular block or box along a predetermined path). If players tried to interact with other objects, such as by hitting, shoving, or blowing them up, they would remain frozen and immobile. Similarly, enemies often had preset and repetitive "death animations" which played when they were killed, and their bodies similarly became non-interactive parts of the environment (when they didn't just [[EverythingFades disappear entirely]]).

For a long time, most advancements in video game realism have been in visuals; adding detail and resolution to the environments simulated. Over time, however, this changed to increase the realism of objects, their physical properties, and how they move.

In practice, this meant simulated objects that are not fixed in place; they break if struck, slide if pushed, and follow parabolic trajectories if thrown. The first objects to get the treatment were projectiles, like grenades, but the practice expanded to include the [[DieChairDie majority of objects]] found in the game world. Especially enemies, be they alive or formerly alive.

Since simulating the complex interchange of balance and animation required to actually pick up an object is beyond the flexibility of most present game engines, many games that allow object manipulation employ some form of invisible force: a tractor beam or telekinesis are the most popular choices.

The name comes from the somewhat unrealistic action of dead enemies. Their bodies are not usually modeled with realistic joint stiffness, weight, or range of motion, causing their limbs to bend at impossible angles (without breaking) or flop randomly and flail wildly in response to stimuli like explosions. In short, they don't have the physics of a real human body. They have the physics - appropriately enough - of a rag doll.

The name comes from the somewhat unrealistic action of dead enemies. Their bodies are not usually modeled with realistic joint stiffness, weight distribution, or range of motion, causing their limbs to bend at impossible angles (without breaking) or flop randomly and flail wildly in response to stimuli like explosions. In short, they don't have the physics of a real human body. They have the physics - appropriately enough - of a rag doll.

The name comes from the somewhat unrealistic action of dead enemies. Their bodies are not usually modeled with realistic joint stiffness, weight distribution, or range of motion, causing their limbs to bend at impossible angles (without breaking) or flop randomly or flail wildly in response to stimuli like explosions. In short, they don't have the physics of a real human body. They have the physics - appropriately enough - of a rag doll.

For a long time, most advancements in video game realism have been in visuals; adding detail and resolution to the environments simulated. A recent trend, however, is to increase the realism of objects, their physical properties, and how they move.

In practice, this means simulated objects that are not fixed in place; they break if struck, slide if pushed, and follow parabolic trajectories if thrown. The first objects to get the treatment were projectiles, like grenades, but the practice has expanded to include the [[DieChairDie majority of objects]] found in the game world. Especially enemies, be they alive or formerly alive.

The name comes from the somewhat unrealistic action of dead enemies. They are not usually modeled with realistic joint stiffness or motion ranges, causing their limbs to bend at impossible angles (without breaking) and flop randomly in response to stimuli like explosions. Perhaps a telling view of the attitudes of many gamers, corpses get a lot of attention whenever physics engines are discussed.

* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim, the physics engine can [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZIiDS_RYVY do some]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x9Qw1KSyIs&list=LLxvXtj-uENUUIgHdzg4R7hw&index=2&feature=plpp_video wonky things]].

[[folder: Action Adventure Games ]]

[[folder: Fighting Games ]]

[[folder: First-Person Shooter ]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}'' was the first entry in the ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' franchise to implement somewhat realistic physics with the then-new Havok engine, and for the most part it added to the immersiveness of the game. However, its ragdolls were extremely unrealistic to the point of comedy. The Master Chief tended to kick himself in the butt every time he died, and Elites would tend to flail comically. Also there are some [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slqK5uBYUek interesting glitches]] you can set off with a Scorpion and a regenerating Covenant barricade...

[[folder: Beat 'em Ups ]]

* Enemy corpses in ''VideoGame/MadWorld'' will go limp once you kill them. If the enemies are sliced into bits as part of the finisher, each body part will ragdoll individually. You can then [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential chop up the bits even further]] with a well-placed vertical chainsaw, if you want.

[[folder: [=MMORPGs=] ]]

* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' added ragdoll physics to its handling of foes in late 2005, but the implementation is not perfect, as attested to by how many times you see a body draped over a non-existent railing. In fact, due to not-quite perfect ragdoll physics it's possible to knock enemies into some kind of barrier and "trap" them as the computer tries to figure out how they should be falling, thus rendering them helpless. Of course, sometimes the ragdoll physics fails entirely. If you can defeat an enemy before they enter combat with you, such as with an Assassin's Strike, they'll occasionally just stand there until they [[EverythingFades fade away]].

[[folder: Platform Games ]]

* ''VideoGame/{{N}}'' is a free 2D game that enjoys ragdolling the player whenever they die.
* The UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 game ''VideoGame/RocketRobotOnWheels'' was an earlier game to utilize physics, with the "tractor beam" variant. Interesting, the tractor beam allowed for some unusual consequences of the engine: Picking up a sufficiently round (or rolling) object, and wedging a floating platform between it and Rocket through the tractor beam, allowed you to roll along the platform on the object!
* The entries into the reboot Quintology of ''VideoGame/{{Oddworld}}'' use ragdolls for all of the corpses if you killed them without making them explode into LudicrousGibs. They remain there for a really long time too, which is especially creepy when they're the corpses of the slaves you failed to save.

[[folder: Puzzle Games ]]

* ''VideoGame/StairDismount'' (originally named ''Porrasturvat'') is notable for being one of the first games to use ragdoll physics as a gameplay feature. The game is mostly about kicking a ragdoll down a set of stairs, watching it fall down and seeing how much damage you can cause.
* ''VideoGame/RagdollCannon'' and its sequels are IOS and Android games that focus on this trope. You shoot the ragdoll out of the cannon at targets in each level.

[[folder: Racing Games ]]

* The '''whole point''' of the ''VideoGame/FlatOut'' games is to crash your car in such fashion that the driver's body is ejected in spectacular fashion. The game even includes a mode where you use the driver as a human bowling ball.
** Similarly, ''Truck Dismount'' and ''Stairs Dismount'' are all about just how much damage you can do to a poor human figure by making it fall down a bunch of stairs or crashing a truck against a barrier. Notable in that the figure falls and writhes a little slowly for ragdoll physics, but the game ''highlights in red'' the parts that are being currently damaged. Of course, the games are extremely fun.
* ''VideoGame/{{Trials}} HD'' has your driver ragdoll upon crashing. Trials Evolution takes it a step further by allowing you to perform a bailout move which throws your driver off the bike in a last ditch attempt to cross the finish line or a checkpoint. If you have a lot of momentum going, you can fling yourself incredibly far. Some custom made tracks involve using the bailout move to hurl your drive across large portions of the track and bounce off many objects to hit the finish line.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Role-Playing Games ]]

[[folder: Shoot Em Ups ]]

[[folder: Simulation Games ]]

[[folder: Sports Games ]]

[[folder: Stealth-Based Games ]]

[[folder: Strategy ]]

[[folder: Survival Horror ]]

[[folder: Third-Person Shooter ]]

[[folder: Non-Video Game Examples ]]

[[caption-width-right:349:There's bowling tuesdays and then there's ''hardcore'' bowling tuesdays.]]