Editing Mario in Real Time

'''Mario in Real Time''' (more commonly known as '''MIRT''') is an interactive system developed by SimGraphics and introduced in 1991,<ref>https://twitter.com/CharlesMartinet/status/1493266234644779012?s=09</ref><ref name=Coyle>{{media link|Coyleinfo1.png}}</ref> and it has since been used by [[Nintendo]] across various promotional events. Conceived by SimGraphics CTO Mike Fusco,<ref name="SIMG"> [https://simg.com/about/ SimGraphics homepage.]</ref><ref name="GWR"> Guinness World Records (December 13, 2018). [https://youtu.be/jGego2-o3u4?t=184 Charles interviewed on GWR podcast]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref> the system allows for passersby at conventions, tradeshows, and other promotional events to interact with [[Mario]], and on occasion other characters as well.

MIRT is notable for being [[Charles Martinet]]'s first role as Mario (prior to his video game debut in ''[[Mario Teaches Typing]]''), first appearing at conventions and tradeshows, and later during events at [[Nintendo New York]] following the installation of multiple kiosks, and later a massive 23-foot-wide display.<ref name=Inpark>https://www.inparkmagazine.com/whats-in-a-mirt-mario-in-real-time-simgraphics-ushers-in-well-behaved-ai-characters-for-lbe-and-themed-attractions/</ref> In the lead-up to Martinet's retirement, the system was overhauled to be fully automated with the use of directable AI, or "AI-VActor" technology, becoming available six days a week rather than being locked to events for which Martinet was available.<ref name="AI"> [https://simg.com/case-study AI-VActor press release]</ref>

MIRT has been repeatedly used by Nintendo for promotional events throughout the years, examples including {{wp|San Diego Comic-Con}} 2012<ref>Patrick Scott Patterson (July 16, 2012). [https://youtu.be/AAjhjLuWbC8 Mario reveals his last name & other tales - San Diego Comic Con 2012]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 8, 2016.</ref> and the Nintendo New York ''[[Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon]]'' launch event in 2013.<ref>CubedLink (March 27, 2013). [https://youtu.be/bZnKdCtex6I Luigi's welcome at the 'Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon' Nintendo World launch]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 8, 2016.</ref> Despite this, following MIRT's establishment as permanent fixture of Nintendo New York and the introduction of AI-VActor technology, it has since been retired from event appearances.

Developed by Mike Fusco, SimGraphics' VActor technology was pitched to multiple companies as a form of promotion, Nintendo quickly took interest and contracted SimGraphics to create a system featuring Mario based on the technology.<ref name="SIMG"/><ref name="GWR"/> Auditions were overseen by the producer who ran the events MIRT would appear in,<ref name="GWR"/> in tandem with Don James, executive vice president of operations for Nintendo of America.<ref name="Don"> [https://www.gamezone.com/originals/charles-martinet-celebrates-15-years-of-wario-with-kombo/ Interview with Charles Martinet.]</ref> As the audition was ending, it was crashed by Charles Martinet, who managed to convince the producer to let him try out. According to Martinet, the producer was seemingly annoyed by his performance by the time he left, but purportedly called James immediately afterwards to urge him that only Martinet's audition be sent to Japan.<ref name="Don"/>

Martinet was very quickly hired, and he was flown out to South Pasadena the next day to be fitted.<ref name="NolanInterview">Geek to Me Radio (July 18, 2022). [https://youtu.be/TvNfIj8xPXE?si=KuQ0LAVXBpo0hzCz&t=1862 314-Nolan North, Charles Martinet, and Keith Coogan]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved November 18, 2023.</ref><ref name=GoodDeal>http://www.gooddealgames.com/interviews/int_Charles_Martinet.html</ref> Due to the long shifts, Stevie Coyle was hired as a voice match to take over during breaks by Martinet's suggestion.<ref name=Coyle/><ref name="SCES">DigitalNeohuman (April 23, 2010). [https://youtu.be/R1t6iNG28zI Real Time Mario at the 1992 SCES]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved April 19, 2013.</ref> At launch, this iteration of the system featured only Mario, but [[Wario]] and [[Donkey Kong]] were added after the release of ''[[Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'', respectively.<ref name="War">Grooveraider (February 6, 2010). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaquvsK0u40 Nintendo - Focused on Fun - Featuring Charles Martinet as Wario - E3 1996]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref><ref name="Donk">Toad.T (November 25, 2013). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcdkFsVFzMI Donkey Kong hits on mid 90's chicks at the '94 VSDA expo. Featuring DIRT! (Donkey kong In Real Time)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref>  

In 1998, Coyle left to focus on other endeavors,<ref name="CoyleInterview">AndratVO (November 16, 2023). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpvp8wYPc1k Stevie Coyle - Interview 2023, Mario (Mostly Unedited)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved November 18, 2023.</ref> soon after Donkey Kong was removed from the system with Mario and Wario being updated to their current designs.<ref>Replay the past (November 7, 2007). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ihWsOcbS_E mario diss to sony at e3 and also does impressions]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref><ref>TimeRazor (December 27, 2009). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA4u6BkHBgc Mario & Wario at Nintendo World in New York City]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref><ref>Agent DoubleOOP (July 1, 2019). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXzTFIL6tPU Mario At The Nintendo World Store Part 2 (re-upload)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref> More notably, however, expressions and mouth movement became automatized, which meant face tracking equipment was no longer needed, allowing the characters' full bodies to be rendered and Martinet to perform from anywhere in the world.<ref>LOVE声優 (December 6, 2017). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ABOLF2htwE 【チャールズ・マーティネー】マリオとワリオの声優さんが一緒って知ってましたか？？]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref> Mario and Wario remained as the sole characters until 2012, when Wario was removed but [[Luigi]] was added (first appearing at the aforementioned San Diego Comic-Con 2012), alongside another overhaul of the system.

MIRT is engaged through its display, which shows either Mario or Luigi in front of a background. People would interact with them through a hidden camera and microphone, though modern displays place the mic in clear view.<ref name="SIMG"/><ref>{{media link|BNewBooth2.png}}</ref> Formerly, the system required a headset rig, which transposed the actors' expressions using roller balls onto a model of the character. The system also formerly required everything to be connected together, likely caused by the limits of computing power at the time. With the first overhaul of the system around 2000, however, expressions and mouth movements became automatized, which allowed for Martinet to perform remotely.

Under most circumstances, both characters cannot be seen at the same time. Previously, this was a technical limitation, as each character would need their own display, with a computer and headset rig,<ref name="War"/><ref name="Donk"/> though today it is purely Martinet playing both characters. Despite this, however, certain transitions between the characters do show them both onscreen, which Martinet uses as an opportunity to voice them both, going back and forth between them.<ref>Thinknoodles (December 24, 2015). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slYuzfVucyE&t=395s Meeting Mario & Luigi LIVE At Nintendo World Store!]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2023.</ref> The AI-VActor model is trained on data from Martinet's more recent MIRT performances<ref name="AI"/> and can perform all the same actions he can.

MTT2 Mario Head.png|MIRT as it appears in ''Mario Teaches Typing'' and its sequel

MarioInRealTime.jpg|MIRT as it appeared at E3 2004