The Uncanny Valley – I think it’s safe to say we’ve made it through

As an animation student and video game player, I saw a lot of the uncanny valley at work. Characters that were almost human… So close, but lacking some key component that screamed quietly to our instincts.

“That’s not a person.”

Watching the Sony PS4 unveiling tonight, one of the most striking revelations for me (aside of the potential for full cloud based backwards compatibility that sets my Sony fangirl heart a-fluttering) was the quietest of demos. 

A simple in-the-round display of an elderly gentleman’s head. 

It remains to be seen if the characters will move, speak, and react as well as they look. But if they do, I think we can consider the Uncanny Valley thoroughly explored, and future travelers will find Sony’s flag planted firmly at it’s exit.