Revolutionary Performance Capture Technology Behind Squadron 42

Cloud Imperium's long-awaited multiplayer space-trading title, Star Citizen, has been in development for over a decade, but it is now nearing completion after raising over $867 million through crowdfunding. In a recent interview, Cloud Imperium's CEO, Chris Roberts, stated that Star Citizen is aiming for a 2027 or 2028 launch window, with its single-player spin-off title, Squadron 42, expected to release next year. Squadron 42 features a star-studded cast, including Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Mark Hamill, Andy Serkis, and Henry Cavill. To create digital replicas of these actors, as well as player characters and other NPCs, Cloud Imperium utilized new 4D technology developed in partnership with a Hollywood VFX company. Clear Angle Studios specializes in scanning technology for film and television, including its head scanning system, Dorothy, which features 76 cameras and 1,500 lights to capture 3D and 4D textures. Last August, Clear Angle partnered with 4D facial performance capture service DI4D and post-production company TexturingXYZ to launch a new 4D facial mocap service. As part of this collaboration, Clear Angle was involved in custom character creation and NPC scans, but not in scanning the talent, which was handled by an additional provider. GamesIndustry.biz visited Clear Angle's headquarters at Pinewood Studios to learn more about this collaboration and get a hands-on look at Dorothy. The companies worked together seamlessly, with Clear Angle capturing and processing raw data, DI4D handling mesh tracking, and TexturingXYZ providing texture work and render pipeline enhancements. The end result was a highly realistic and detailed digital character. The collaboration between Clear Angle, DI4D, and TexturingXYZ was a harmonious one, with each company bringing its unique expertise to the table. Clear Angle's scanning system, Dorothy, was used to capture 3D and 4D scans, while DI4D handled mesh tracking, and TexturingXYZ provided texture work and render pipeline enhancements. The companies worked together to create a highly realistic and detailed digital character. Working with Cloud Imperium was a positive experience, with the company being open and collaborative. Cloud Imperium's senior director of tools, tech, and content, Sean Tracy, believes that photorealistic graphics have not yet reached their full potential, with room for innovation, particularly in performance capture. The technology is designed to benefit all players, regardless of platform, with players gaining full access to advanced capabilities within the game itself. Cloud Imperium has implemented this technology by capturing 3D scans and using head-mounted camera data to track facial movements, creating highly realistic and detailed digital characters. Performance capture is becoming more accessible to smaller studios, with advances in technology leading to more affordable hardware and software options. Clear Angle is open to collaborating with more game studios in the future, with the goal of advancing into the gaming side of things and making high-level scanning technology available to everyone.