Does Blender needs a new animation/rigging system?
Pro/Cons?
The developers are already working on it. Don’t quote me on this because I don’t understand all the details but the dependency graph work I believe is largely geared towards animation and rigging.
The current system seems to get the job done though people who do animation more than me will definitely know better. I never got past bouncing balls of different weight exercises.
It’s been put to good use currently by these guys http://www.caminandes.com/
Any inside information if it will have editable simulation and deformation caches? Those seem to be the new quick-fix for ugly deformations with incomplete weight painting. Though Blender allows sculpting during animation, which is simpler and probably with my incompetent skills, better solution… But of course it would be nice to have the toys big boys have… 