I have to model, in unity 3D, a chain that is composed of various elements. some flexible, some rigid. The idea is to realize a human-chain where each person is linked to the other by their hands.

I've not tried to implement it yet as i've no idea on what could be a good way to do it. In the game i've to manage a lot of chains of people... maybe also 100 chains composed of 11-15 people. The chain will be pretty simple and there won't be much interaction... Probabily some animation of the people one at time for each chain and some physic reaction (for example pushing a people in a chain should slightle flex the chain)

the very problem of this work is that in the chain each object is composed by flexible parts (arms) and rigid parts (the body) and that the connection should remain firm... just like when people handshake... hands are firm and are the wrists to move.

i can use C4D to model the meshes.

i know this number may cause performance problems, but it's also true i will use low-poly versions of human. (for the real it won't be human, but very simple toonish characters that have harms and legs). So actually i'm trying to find a way to manage this in a way it can work, the performance will be a later problem that i can solve.

If there is not a fast 'best-practiced' solution and you have any link/guide/doc that could help me in finding a way to realize this is, it would be very appreciated anyway if you post it.

thanks