Visual effects powerhouse DNEG has made a significant move in the realm of digital character creation by securing the exclusive license to Ziva from Unity, a leading platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D content. Alongside this acquisition, DNEG will welcome aboard a substantial portion of the Ziva team, solidifying its commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinematic experiences.
The Ziva toolset, renowned for its ability to bring to life digital characters and creatures for film, television, and gaming cinematics, will now be integrated into DNEG’s technology stack. This strategic integration aims to empower DNEG’s artists in delivering captivating cinematic performances, catering to the discerning tastes of audiences worldwide. Moreover, it aligns with DNEG’s broader vision of venturing into immersive experiences through the launch of DNEG IXP.
Namit Malhotra, CEO of DNEG, highlighted the significance of this transaction in advancing the company’s technological capabilities. “The integration of the Ziva toolset into our technology stack helps our artists to deliver incredible cinematic performances and experiences for discerning movie-lovers worldwide,” said Malhotra. He emphasized the potential of Ziva in enabling the creation of feature film-quality digital characters and creatures in gaming and immersive environments, a move that resonates with the company’s strategic trajectory.
Echoing Malhotra’s sentiments, Paul Salvini, DNEG Global CTO, emphasized the synergies between Ziva and DNEG’s objectives. “Bringing the Ziva toolset in-house – along with a significant proportion of the team behind it – is a perfect fit for DNEG and gives us a strong competitive advantage,” said Salvini. He underscored the pivotal role of Ziva in enhancing DNEG’s digital character and creature work, not only in traditional film and episodic productions but also in real-time and immersive applications.
The acquisition of Ziva comes on the heels of DNEG’s recent foray into immersive experiences with the launch of DNEG IXP, a division dedicated to leveraging DNEG’s technology across various sectors, including brands, businesses, and game publishers.
DNEG’s collaboration with Ziva has already borne fruit, with recent projects such as “Dune: Part 2,” “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” “Venom,” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” benefiting from the innovative toolset. Looking ahead, upcoming releases like “Animal Friends” and the animated feature “The Garfield Movie” are poised to showcase the prowess of DNEG’s enhanced capabilities in digital character creation.
With Ziva’s integration into DNEG’s cutting-edge pipeline, named Helix, the company aims to solidify its position as a frontrunner in content creation, setting new standards for quality and innovation in the industry.
