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Jonathan Cooper

@jonathan.gameanim.com
6K followers 129 following 1.1K posts

Award-winning game developer. Animated Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, Uncharted, The Last of Us series and more. Wrote GAME ANIM: Video Game Animation Explained. Shipped Apple Vision Pro. gameanim.com

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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 20h
Great day yesterday sharing mocap best-practices with the latest Abertay University MSc in Technical Art & Visual Effects cohort.
Wildy flailing my arms as a explain mocap direction.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 21h
Matt's Technical Animation in Video Games has helped me a lot and this updated revision should be an essential purchase for every animator working in video games.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 26/09/2026
Great experience advising some incredibly talented highschoolers, students and recent graduates this morning. Returned some optimism for the future of the games industry.
Poster for Into Games, reading: 

I'M ATTENDING
GET INTO GAMES
DUNDEE
WATER'S EDGE, DUNDEE
SATURDAY 26th SEPT, 11AM-4PM
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 26/09/2026
Pragmata - Diana facial capture, rig and hair system.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 25/09/2026
Scottish Games Day 2026 highlight was the GTA Origins panel. So many heroes up there.
Dave Jones, founder of the legendary DMA Design Former DMA Design staff (from left: Dave Jones, Colin Anderson, Keith Hamilton, Mike Dailly, Patrick Kerr & Gary Penn) recount the development of the original Grand Theft AutoRevolution Software co-founder Charles Cecil gives a history lesson on the UK’s (and specifically Dundee’s) influence on global game development scene.Opportunities for Developers panel (From left: Kristian Roberts, Corrie Green, Kathrin Radtke, Reese Wright & Juney Dijkstra)
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 25/09/2026
Glad to have left a mark on the Canadian gamedev scene (I worked on 3 of these).
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 25/09/2026
I knew a programmer at EA in Montreal who wore one of these. She was eternally frustrated that engine programmers would call themselves engineers.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 23/09/2026
Just watched this on Netflix. Both her and her husband are absolutely mental.
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Andy Kelly @ultrabrilliant.xyz · 22/09/2026
Very much enjoying all the mundanely familiar UK scenery details in Silent Hill: Townfall.
A phone box.One of those things on the street that says H on it. I see them every day and I still have no idea what they are.A good old-fashioned British bin.A dead end sign.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 22/09/2026
Ninja Theory closing is such a loss. The only UK team that can really go toe-to-toe with the best out there in terms of 3rd-person action gameplay.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 21/09/2026
Devil May Cry 3 (2005) motion capture behind-the-scenes and live-action previz. Capcom were really ahead of the game in terms of stunt choreography even then.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 21/09/2026
Devil May Cry 3 (2005) motion capture behind-the-scenes and live-action previz. Capcom were really ahead of the game in terms of stunt choreography even then.
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Luke Plunkett @lukeplunkett.com · 19/09/2026
this tweet is NINE years old and is still the best trans rights policy advice out there
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dannyodwyer @dannyodwyer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
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James Cooper @jamescoopergames.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I stepped away from socials back in 2020. Coming back, I find a games industry that's changed a lot since I left - in good ways, and in hard ways. I'm looking forward to being part of the community again. 👋
static.klipy.com
Uncharted: Nathan Drake and Sully Hug
ALT: Uncharted: Nathan Drake and Sully Hug
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 11/09/2026
Checkout line magazines are different in the UK
Two magazines in a rack:

Understanding ADHD

Senior's Guide to ChatGPT
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 11/09/2026
Cowardly Corporate Fuck is perfect - well done that person.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 10/09/2026
What a combo. Never knew this existed, and funny because I literally left Scotland for Canada to make Mass Effect while most others in my then studio went on to make Crackdown. Both 9/10!
Crackdown and Mass Effect Double Pack for Xbox 360
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 08/09/2026
Fucksake I have to do that Water Temple again…
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 07/09/2026
🙋‍♂️I shall also be in attendance.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 07/09/2026
This Thursday the 10th is the 27th Edinburgh Gamedev Drinkup - starting at 6pm at the Brewdog Doghouse. We have a few tables booked for the balcony so hoping for good weather (may be a little too optimistic). www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/game-dev-d...
eventbrite.co.uk
Game Dev DrinkUp Edinburgh
A meetup for game developers in the Edinburgh area, on the 2nd Thursday of every month.
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SVB Station @svbstation.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This is something that really shouldn't have been normalized in the gaming industry.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 01/09/2026
It influenced our clocktower bell collapse sequence in Uncharted 4...
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 01/09/2026
Been a great week for music 🎵
Screen above the Edinburgh playhouse reading:

SIGUR RÓS

Performing with
THE SCOTTISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

31 AUGUST
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
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Steve Bowler @gameism.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Ha, this is exactly how I set up the mocap rig for Goro in Mortal Kombat (2009) in Motion Builder. Two mocap actors, one played "Goro," the other played the 2nd set of underarms.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 01/09/2026
Onimusha: Way of the Sword mocap was creatively used for swordsmen and creatures. That multi-arm setup is similar to how we shot the Rat King on TLOU2.
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Natalie (Tali) Vancouver era ✨ @talidev3d.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
this is a conversation I would overhear from my game designer coworkers after asking them how they want the door I just modeled to open
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 30/08/2026
The Prodigy last night at Edinburgh Summer Sessions. Amazing show and great support from Carl Cox and more.
Prodigy’s MC Maxim on the big screenMirrored portraits of Carl Cox behind him on stageYousuke Yukimatsu bare chested on stage
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barinky @barinky.net · 30/08/2026
#picoCAD2
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 28/08/2026
Metal Gear Solid 4 (2008) cutscene mocap shoots
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 28/08/2026
These are the patents that likely contributed to this explosion in animation data: patents.google.com/patent/US116... patents.google.com/patent/US202... patents.google.com/patent/US116...
patents.google.com
US11620781B1 - System and method for virtual character locomotion - Google Patents
A system and method for controlling the animation and movement of in-game objects. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more data-driven animation building blocks that can be used to define...
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 28/08/2026
“Rockstar stated that GTA 6 features over 600,000 NPC animations, compared to 300,000 in RDR2 and 55,000 in GTA 5.”
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 28/08/2026
Best acting at the Fringe
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 28/08/2026
Good morning to all the game directors coming into work today to tell the team to add things they saw in the GTA trailer.
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Jim Jagger @jimjagger.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
What a wonderful boost. Incredibly proud of all the teams, with a special shoutout to the animators for pouring so much heart and craft into every frame. This is easily the greatest game I’ve had the pleasure of working on. Bring on November!
youtube.com
Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look
YouTube video by Rockstar Games
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 28/08/2026
Congrats to everyone at Rockstar past and present. The game looks amazing.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 27/08/2026
Dr Frank-N-Furter at Frankenstein Bar yesterday.
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kate bush’s husband @airbagged.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
3 minutes of Tim Curry holding back laughter while filming scenes for Red Alert 3
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 26/08/2026
Tim Curry’s best role was actually the made-for-TV UK kids’ movie The Worst Witch.
youtu.be
The Worst Witch (1986) "Halloween Song"
YouTube video by harrypottersdaddy
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 24/08/2026
Karate update: obtained brown belt at the weekend despite randomly cutting my foot and bleeding all over the floor.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 24/08/2026
This was my old team. They’re even finding game devs hidden in tech.
theverge.com
Apple is laying off staffers working on the Vision Pro and Siri
What is the future of the Vision Pro?
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 23/08/2026
Deus Ex: Human Revolution released 15 years ago today. Here's a collection of pre-vis from the successful green-light pitch.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 23/08/2026
Mixtape tongue physics test www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdhl...
youtube.com
Mixtape Behind-the-Scenes | Tongue Physics Testing
YouTube video by 80 Level
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 22/08/2026
“Sony Patents To Let Al Agents Handle Grinding In Games And Leave The Fun Parts For Players” Systems Designer: Why are we even making this if we know players want to skip it?
James Franco “First time?” meme from the perspective of a cinematic animator.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 21/08/2026
I kinda feel these things should be agreed once and only before purchase. Not every time a game you already purchased auto updates. Declining prevents further use.
Marathon user agreement declined after first time playing in a while. Text reads:

USER AGREEMENT DECLINED
Access to the game is dependent upon agreement to the full terms of service.
You will be returned to the title screen to restart this process.
If you do not wish to continue, please close the game.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 20/08/2026
Wish EA would do this with BioWare
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Super Spline Studios @supersplinestudios.com · 20/08/2026
We're looking for some short term animation contractors! Some fun keyframe work and 4 day weeks. Specifically those with hand key, gameplay combat experience and strong reel to demonstrate it. UK AND EUROPE BASED GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCED ANIMATORS ONLY PLEASE supersplinestudios.com/jobs/
supersplinestudios.com
Jobs – Super Spline Studios – UK Games Animation Specialist Co-Development Partner
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 20/08/2026
Found some mocap from Beyond Good & Evil 2. This is from 8 years ago.
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 16/08/2026
Boom Chakalaka. My local butcher is South African and put me onto this great stuff.
Loo Chakalaka Hot & Spicy relish in a canChakalaka-covered BBQ sausages on morning rolls, with feta salad as god intended
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Jonathan Cooper @jonathan.gameanim.com · 15/08/2026
My wife brought the goods back from Montreal 🥯
A dozen Fairmount Bagels. Better than St Viateur.
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