Ubisoft Opens New Performance Capture Studio

Ubisoft has opened a new “world-class performance capture studio” in Toronto that will work on future projects, including Splinter Cell: Blacklist

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. The facility is state-of-the-art and aims to “create deeper characters, more immersive storytelling and more filmic, actor-driven games” through voice, facial and body performance capture. All actors will be captured at the same time, allowing performances to feel more like film.

The studio includes a 2,000 square foot performance space to allow multiple actors to perform at once, as well as 80 high-resolution Vicon T160 motion capture cameras. The facility will also use wireless helmet cameras for accurate facial capture, with footage synched in real time to voice and body capture. A sound stage and rigging beams that allow for stunt performances are also available to capture “dynamic, physical scenes for games.”

“We are extremely proud to unveil a performance capture studio in Toronto after just two years of operation in the city,” said Ubisoft Toronto and Montreal CEO Yannis Mallat. “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.”

In addition to Blacklist, the studio will contribute to capture for future Ubisoft projects from all 26 of its worldwide studios. Ubisoft Toronto will also partner with Screen Industries and Research Training Center of Sheridan College “to identify, define and pursue research projects in the field of virtual production to reach new levels of excellence.”

Ubisoft originally announced plans to expand to Toronto in July 2009. Original Assassin’s Creed producer Jade Raymond was later chosen to head the studio. Raymond said in 2010 that Toronto was working on a Splinter Cell game (later revealed to be Blacklist) in addition to an unannounced title.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist was announced at E3 and blends the fast-paced style of 2010’s Splinter Cell Conviction with classic Splinter Cell gameplay, including the return of Spies vs. Mercs. For more, read our impressions from E3.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.