Cygames Facilities Vol. 5: Osaka’s Motion Capture Studio

Aiming to provide the best in entertainment, Cygames has always worked to actively invest in its development facilities*. In Cygames Facilities Vol. 5, we’ll be taking a closer look at the state-of-the-art motion capture studio at Osaka Cygames, built in March 2022 mainly for console game development.

*To date, Cygames has installed a scanning studio (February 2017) which generates 3D data of objects from multidirectional photographic images, as well as a motion capture studio (February 2018) where 72 cameras are set up to catch the movements of actors within a 16m x 9m space, and a face scanner (January 2021) that uses a total of 67 cameras to transcribe faces into 3D data.

Taking on the development of high-end titles in earnest and without compromise: how the motion capture studio was established

Osaka Cygames was founded in 2015 as a base for the company’s console game development. From its inception, value was placed on the quality required for high-end titles; eventually, a brand-new motion capture studio was established within Osaka Cygames to meet demand for higher quality content. With the completion of the studio came a lot more freedom and increased speed in our development, as well as lower costs compared to working with external studios. The studio has been in full operation since early March 2022.

Innovation like never before!
Subjects can be captured using a total of 168 different cameras

The motion capture studio’s recording space boasts a height of 5 meters (with the ceiling at 8 meters high). In this 14m x 10m x 5m area, there are a total of 168 cameras that can cover all 360 degrees of the space with no blind spots. This allows us to not only accommodate large groups and utilize the equipment as virtual cameras, but also capture precise finger movements and other small details. Spec-wise, this studio also boasts some of the best in the world.

Various other equipment are crucial for convenient filming as well.

  • Pin mics and hand mics for remote recording
  • Speakers audible throughout the entire recording space
  • Dimmable studio lights
  • Large projector
  • Three full-size video cameras for 60 fps filming
  • Large TV screen for watching footage
Movements are closely monitored on the large projector

Dynamic action scenes are filmed using wire work

As the studio has an 8-meter tall ceiling, wire work can be used to film action cutscenes. Coincidentally, the space was originally a music hall before undergoing a full renovation. It now includes a sound studio and an office, making the space useful for functions other than motion capturing. The studio is also close to Osaka Cygames and accessible with a single train, rendering it a highly convenient location.

Safety first for wire work

A studio that places value in hospitality and puts actors first

As motion-capture actors are essential to our work, professionals with experience on set helped design the studio. For example, the space was built with padded flooring to reduce stress on actors’ legs. Carefully selected equipment, strategically placed for practicality, also makes the studio as user-friendly as possible for the actors involved.

Importance was also placed on how comfortable actors will feel so they can concentrate on their performance. There are three green rooms, each with different designs but the same brightness and color of lighting so that makeup done in any room will look the same. Showers are also available so actors can wash their sweat off immediately after filming.
In addition, facilities are complete with a laundry room so that the motion-capture suits worn by actors can be kept clean and well-maintained.

Monitors are set up in the green rooms, making it easy for actors and staff to see what is happening in the studio
Comfortable shower rooms

Since remote recording (with the direction itself being done somewhere else) has become more common in recent times, the studio has been equipped to accommodate this.

As you can see, we believe valuing the health and comfort of motion actors is vital to strengthening the quality of our content.

Let’s ask the studio manager!
Upcoming Prospects

Osaka Design Team, Osaka Studio General Manager Tsuyoshi
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Tsuyoshi joined Cygames in 2017 with existing experience as an artist at a major game company. After overseeing the cutscene production for several console titles, he was appointed as the general manager of Osaka’s motion capture studio and supervised its establishment.

Please tell us how the studio was established.

Tsuyoshi: The level of expression in games is constantly evolving, and people are paying attention to how real things look and feel. Here at Cygames where we seek to provide the best in entertainment, we have to continue meeting the growing needs and expectations of our consumers. The motion capture studio was established at Osaka Cygames so that we can have more freedom and efficiency in our development and maintain the “best” that we constantly strive for.

Before we had the studio, the director and staff involved had to travel to our studio in Tokyo for filming; on top of that, preparations for filming in Tokyo usually took about one month. Reducing these sorts of steps have really helped speed up development.

Aside from the reduced burden in travel and preparations, how is the Osaka studio different compared to the Tokyo studio?

Tsuyoshi: The fact that we can take advantage of the 8-meter tall ceiling and film cutscenes using suspending wires. While wire work filming isn’t exclusive to the Osaka studio, scenes using wires require professionals who have skills and experience in handling such performances. With their help, we keep safety our first priority while figuring out the cutscenes we want to film.

I don’t mean to digress, but it’s really thanks to the Tokyo studio for being so efficient and acting as our general backup that we were able to complete the Osaka studio. Going forward, I’d like our operations to be on the same level as that of the Tokyo studio as soon as possible. Hopefully, we can accumulate enough know-how here at the Osaka studio to give back to the Tokyo studio and work as a team.

What are some things the motion capture studio at Osaka Cygames would like to achieve in the future?

Tsuyoshi: First, we’d like to build a reputation of being a studio that’s trustworthy and capable of handling anything for our company’s various titles. Besides the actual filming, we aim to be speedy in preparations and providing data after shoots, while making sure all data is the highest quality it can be. Speed is especially important in terms of supporting our staff, so we want to place a high importance on that. By becoming a dependable studio for the company, we can help ensure that all of our works are of a quality we can boast about to the world. I hope everyone at the Osaka studio can come together and be the support Cygames needs to put out the best in entertainment.

And that wraps up our introduction of the motion capture studio at Osaka Cygames. We will continue to enhance our facilities from here on out to create the best environment at Cygames, so we can provide the best in entertainment.

We are currently recruiting staff for our motion capture studio! Click here for more details. (Japanese Only)