[FONT=&]Today, Ubisoft announced the launch of its world-class performance capture studio in Toronto, a facility that will support the creation of high-quality content for games. Uniting expertise from the film and game industries, the performance capture studio will help Ubisoft Toronto create deeper characters, more immersive storytelling and more filmic, actor-driven games. [/FONT]
[FONT=&]“We are extremely proud to unveil a performance capture studio in Toronto after just two years of operation in the city,” said Yannis Mallat, CEO, Ubisoft Toronto and Montreal. “This is about more than just the creation of a cutting-edge facility - it’s about Ubisoft transforming our approach to storytelling with a focus on acting talent and the delivery of the highest-quality performance output for our cinematics and animation teams. The studio also is a testament to our confidence in the talent in Ontario to deliver some of the best performance capture in the industry for games.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Adapting techniques and technology currently used by the film industry, performance capture involves voice, facial and body performances captured from game actors all at the same time. Ubisoft Toronto advances performance capture technique by combining cutting-edge tools with a seasoned team from the film and game industry and a state-of-the-art facility that features:[/FONT]
A 2000 square foot performance volume to accommodate large, multi-character shoots
80 Vicon T160 Motion Capture Cameras to capture performances with high resolution, accuracy and flexibility
Wireless Helmet Cameras for accurate facial capture that is then synched in real-time with voice and full body capture
A sound stage featuring “box within a box” design to deliver high-quality performance capture
High-load stunt and rigging beams to enable capture of dynamic, physical scenes for games
[FONT=&]In addition to filming performance capture for projects at Ubisoft Toronto, including Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell© Blacklist™, the local team will contribute to other Ubisoft projects being created at the company’s 26 studios around the world. This work will help position the Toronto studio and Ontario at the forefront of what’s next in the video game industry expected to grow to $67 billion worldwide by the end of 2012 (Source: DFC Intelligence, 2012).[/FONT]
[FONT=&]“This is an exciting day for Ubisoft and the video game industry in Ontario, demonstrating what can be accomplished when we collaborate and work together,” said the Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation. “Our government is proud of the results we’ve achieved in growing this sector in the province, helping to grow the economy and create jobs.”[/FONT]
[FONT=&]Academic, Research and Industry Collaboration[/FONT]
[FONT=&]As demonstrated by its ongoing investment across its Toronto, Montreal and Quebec studios, Ubisoft recognizes Canada as an important hub driving the advancement of virtual production. [/FONT]
Ubisoft will continue to dedicate time and resources to support research and development projects with external academic partners. Reinforcing its commitment, Ubisoft Toronto will join forces with Sheridan College and its Screen Industries and Research Training Centre (SIRT) to identify, define and pursue research projects in the field of virtual production to reach new levels of excellence. In addition, Ubisoft plans to share its expertise and practical knowledge to positively impact game-related training curriculums at Sheridan College with the intent to help give students in video game programs hands-on access to cutting edge tools, facilities and techniques.
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