THE REAL-TIME PLAYGROUND
Bringing Borderlands’ signature energy to life demanded a performance capture pipeline that could evolve with the franchise’s bold style. With Vicon’s next‑generation motion capture and Shōgun’s artist‑friendly toolset, Gearbox unlocked more expressive performances, faster iteration, and a richer, more immersive world for players.
“Anytime we take control of the camera from the player, we have to treat that with respect. We want to be focused on saturation of performance… allow our actors to live and breathe more vividly. Finding that good balance within Borderlands was something that Vicon made possible.”
Matthew Ward, Cinematics Director
Gearbox Entertainment
NUANCED PERFORMANCE
Borderlands’ signature style relies on actors who can stretch reality, big gestures, expressive silhouettes, and comedic exaggeration. Vicon’s high‑fidelity optical system gave Gearbox the accuracy and responsiveness needed to preserve every creative choice.
Precision That Preserves Performance
Full‑body and finger tracking captured the nuance behind Borderlands’ exaggerated performances while keeping cleanup to a minimum.
Instant Insight for Faster Creative Decisions
Real‑time review let directors validate takes instantly, with character retargeting that mapped performances cleanly onto stylized rigs.
Animation Teams Start with Stronger Data
High‑quality data meant animators received lifelike motion with minimal post‑processing, keeping the team focused on storytelling rather than fixing errors
“In post, it’s amazing. No jitters. No pops. No noise. No marker swaps. Just hit a button. It’s super easy”
Shane Macpherson, Motion Capture Manager
Gearbox Entertainment
VISIONARIES DELIGHT
Shōgun became the backbone of Gearbox’s performance pipeline, giving animators and directors the confidence to move quickly without compromising quality.
Consistency You Can Count On
Data quality tools ensured consistency across long shoot days and complex multi‑actor scenes.
Less Cleanup, More Creativity
Automated cleanup dramatically reduced manual post‑processing, speeding delivery to animation teams.
Flexible Tools for Fast‑Moving Teams
Customizable workflows slotted seamlessly into Gearbox’s existing pipeline, enabling rapid iteration and predictable results.
Retargeting That Respects the Performance
Automatic retargeting preserved motion integrity while streamlining labeling, solving, and object tracking.
“With Vicon Valkyrie wide-angle lenses, we have less bleed off, we have less jitter and pops at the edge… and getting run data is huge for us.”
Shane Macpherson, Motion Capture Manager
Gearbox Entertainment
ROOTED REALISM
Borderlands’ combat and character animation demand fast, exaggerated movement, and Vicon’s hardware delivered the fidelity and stability required to capture it at scale.
Accuracy That Keeps Up With the Action
Enhanced grayscale detail ensured accurate tracking even during high‑energy, stylized motion.
Built for Big Scenes and Bigger Worlds
VK16 cameras delivered enterprise‑level coverage and fidelity, enabling complex multi‑actor scenes without sacrificing precision
Reliability That Keeps Production Moving
Proactive system health tools kept the stage running smoothly, minimizing downtime and ensuring consistent capture quality throughout production.
LEARN MORE ABOUT VICON FOR GAME CREATORS
Game studios need performance capture that can keep pace with ambitious worlds, expressive characters, and fast‑moving production schedules. Vicon delivers the precision, scalability, and reliability required to meet those demands.
With biomechanically accurate optical tracking and Shōgun’s automated, artist‑friendly workflows, teams can capture complex performances at scale while preserving every creative detail. From stylized acting to cinematic storytelling, Vicon provides the fidelity and control needed to turn raw motion into unforgettable in‑game experiences.
Built for the highest levels of production, Vicon gives studios the confidence to push creative boundaries without compromising on data quality.
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