Faces

January 17, 2012
Stacey Mason

In light of a recent MIT experiment on how the brain distinguishes real faces from face-like structures, Yannick LeJacq wonders, “Why do our brains resist the charms of 3D modeling?”

What is it, exactly, that stops us from being completely seduced by the increasingly impressive modeling of virtual faces in videogames? […] The left side, as one researcher put is, “does the initial heavy lifting,” while the right side ultimately makes the call. But with recent improvements in facial modeling (such as L.A. Noire), will game developers ultimately be able to trick the right side of the brain entirely?

Perhaps this kind of research may be the key to traversing the uncanny valley.

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