Valve seems to be doing its homework and researching about sign language, all for the sake of gaming. The company lately had a meeting with some hearing-impaired people in order to learn more about sign language and how it can be implemented into games.
According to Joystiq, it plans to introduce this new feature in the upcoming game known as Half-Life 2: Episode 3. The company states that its latest venture will aid in the development of Alyx Vance’s character in the game. The sign language would blend in perfectly with the heroine’s backstory. It would also help take the animation technology used in Half-Life 2: Episode 3 to new heights.
Gabe Newell of Valve sheds some more light on the new undertaking by stating, “(Alyx) had a crush on someone who was hearing impaired, so she taught Dog how to sign so she could practice. Something happened, maybe, the person is off fighting the Combine someplace else, but that’s why she and Dog would start signing with each other when they wanted to communicate without making noise, or communicate without other people knowing … It gave us the excuse to build the technology for signing.”
The developer of Left 4 Dead and Half Life are known for their life-like facial animation implemented in their games. While signing, the facial expressions are very important. The company would hence need to push the animation barrier a little further if it wants to fully exploit the sign language features.