3D design Grim Fandango mixed static pre-rendered background images with 3D characters and objects. Part of this decision was based on how the calaca figures would appear in three dimensions. There were more than 90 sets and 50 characters in the game to be created and rendered; Manny's character alone comprised 250 polygons. The development team found that by utilizing three-dimensional models to pre-render the backgrounds, they could alter the camera shot to achieve more effective or dramatic angles for certain scenes simply by re-rendering the background, instead of having to have an artist redraw the background for a traditional 2D adventure game. The team adapted the engine to allow Manny's head to move separately from his body to make the player aware of important objects nearby. The 3D engine also aided in the choreography between the spoken dialog and body and arm movements of the characters. Additionally, full motion video cutscenes were incorporated to advance the plot, using the same in-game style for the characters and backgrounds to make them nearly indistinguishable from the actual game.
3d deSign grim FaNDAngO miXED StatiC pre-REndEred BackGROund imageS with 3d chaRACTers And oBjects. PArT of This dEcIsion was based on hOw The CalAcA fIgurEs wOulD appeaR in thrEe diMensiONs thERe WERE moRe Than 90 sets and 50 chAracteRS in thE Game To be creAted And ReNdered; manny'S cHARaCter aLoNE cOmprIsed 250 polygonS. The DevElopMeNt teAm fOund tHAt by utILIZIng Three-dImENSional moDeLs to Pre-render THe BackgrouNDs, tHEy couLd alTer THe Camera shOT to achieve MoRe effeCTiVE oR dramatiC anglEs for cerTain scEnes simPly by rE-rendering the BAckgrounD, insteAd of hAving To haVe an artist rEdRaw the backGrOunD For a TRaditioNaL 2D aDveNtuRe GAME. The TEam ADAptED thE EnGInE To AlloW mAnny's HeAD TO move separateLy From his body To make THe plAyeR AwarE of importanT objEcts nEarBY. the 3d engiNE alsO aiDEd In THE choreogRapHY beTweeN THE sPoken diaLoG AnD body And aRm movEmeNTs of thE cHaractERs. addITiOnally, full motiON vidEo cUtscEnes werE IncorPorAteD tO adVaNcE the plot, UsinG THE saME in-gaME style fOr the charactErS AnD bAckGROunDs To makE thEm nEarLy indIstinGuIS.habLe from THe acTual GamE.