Tencent's genAI animation tools impress technically but fail to answer the "fun" question
Summary
Tencent showcased genAI-powered animation tools at GDC 2026, developed by its MoreFun Studios subsidiary
The tech dynamically generates in-between animation frames to reduce clipping and sliding artifacts
Despite technical sophistication, the tools address visual polish rather than core gameplay improvement
Ethical concerns remain around compensation of kung fu performers whose motion data trained the AI
"For six months, they wanted to record and copy all my moves into a digital library - by the end of the recording, the right to these moves would go to them"
01
What the tool does - in-between frame generation for cleaner animation
Tencent's MoreFun Studios presented a genAI animation tool at GDC 2026's Festival of Gaming
The tool does not generate full animations - it dynamically creates in-between frames to smooth movement
Goal is to eliminate common artifacts: weapon clipping, outfit clipping, and sliding character animations
Demonstrated on The Hidden Ones, a 3D action fighting game, showing before-and-after comparisons
Post-open-beta player surveys reportedly rated the game's animation as "quite good"
02
The core problem - polish without gameplay purpose
The tool targets visual imperfections that most players either do not notice or have accepted as normal
Fighting games - the chosen showcase genre - already rely on precise frame and hitbox logic by design
Precise weapon collision already exists in games like Elden Ring and Blade and Sorcery without genAI
Sliding animations are sometimes intentional stylistic choices, especially in anime-inspired titles
The tool solves an uncommon problem rather than unlocking new fundamentals for player experience
03
Investor optics vs. developer value - the real motivation
The tech's true audience may be investors evaluating Tencent's AI-first company positioning
Low-budget motion capture has been technically feasible for years without AI involvement
In an era where Roblox dominates and low-fidelity games thrive, the race for AI-driven realism is questionable
Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza voxel tech was cited as a contrast - technology directly shaping gameplay design
"We're in the age of friendslop and jank, where games with low-fidelity graphics are just as appealing as slick, big-budget titles"
04
Ethical concerns - motion data ownership and performer compensation
Training data came from real kung fu practitioners captured via AI-based motion tracking on small stages
Tencent claims full ownership of all training data collected from these performers
The setup mirrors a 2018 offer Jet Li rejected from Warner Bros. - six months of move recording in exchange for permanent IP ownership
Everyday martial artists may not grasp the commercial scale their data contributes to
No comment was provided by Tencent's MoreFun team when follow-up questions were submitted via PR
Performers across industries have actively fought to protect their craft from genAI exploitation
05
What's next - tools searching for a clear purpose
Tencent continues building out its AI toolset, including AI-generated voices and genAI-powered NPCs
The animation tool could become genuinely useful if applied to games where weapon and limb precision drives core gameplay
Without clearer answers on performer compensation and gameplay impact, broader developer adoption will face skepticism
The industry benchmark remains: technology should shape what makes a game fun, not justify its own existence
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