Today we are pleased to report on the improvements and new features of our surfing simulation that we were able to develop besides bringing it to the PS5. The powerful PS5 is easily able to render a highly complex water surface in UHD at 60 frames per second. That's exactly what you need to realize a realistic surf game.
Virtual Surfing is a surfing simulation in which every surfing movement is the result of interactions between the surfboard, the surfer and the water.
Every little bump on the water can lead to a different simulation outcome and therefore to a different behaviour of the surfboard.
It even makes a difference where exactly these bumps hit the surfboard.
Due to this simulation nature, large, bumpy waves create a rougher ride than small, smooth waves.
The ride is completely different every time, depending on which bumps you hit or how sharply you take the turns.
This is because the controls also allow very fine turns.
As part of this release, we are presenting improved simulation properties, resulting in a more authentic riding experience.
We provide different water surface conditions.
For example, so-called glassy conditions can be found.
Glassy means that the water surface is very smooth.
This can be observed when the wind on the ocean is very weak for a while.
Surfers around the globe love glassy conditions as they usually create smoother surfing conditions.
In addition, glassy conditions lead to crystal clear reflections on the waves.
Very free camera options allow the waves to be viewed from a variety of perspectives, including the first person perspective.
This makes the lighting effects particularly impressive.
We now can render these effects clearer and more vibrant than ever before.
A brand new feature is a so-called secondary swell, which can be turned on and off.
Most of the time, ocean waves do not come as perfect lines. Heavy winds create waves in different directions and positions on the ocean.
The result is a superposition of a multitude of waves with different sizes, lengths and orientations.
A drastic example is a stormy sea where the waves seem to come from every direction.
They create an additional challenge and a spectacular scenario.
By selecting the secondary swell option, the waves become much more unpredictable and bumpy.
Improved character animation and shading are further aspects we have been working on. The surfers
now appear in a dynamic, wet look. Water droplets move along the surfer's skin.
On selected parts of the body, the water droplets even move differently depending on the surfer's body posture and orientation
by following basic physical equations.
Another point we improved is white water graphics. White water graphics is something that is really hard to implement.
Even in movie productions where rendering and simulation time is not critical, white water often appears unnatural.
No wonder, when you imagine what white water actually is.
It is a collection of countless particles that move in different directions and interact with each other.
In contrast to smooth water surfaces, air is trapped in various areas.
The result is a highly complex three-dimensional structure and equally complex lighting conditions.
We use a physics-based simulation to imitate white water.
White water is created when the surfboard cuts through the waves, when waves break, and even when parts of the surfer's body dip into the water.
So it's a real feast for ocean lovers! Grab a surfboard and hit the waves!
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