Building the Squid Game environment using XR technology, as initiated by Blinx.

In an exciting collaboration, Blinx Studios, a pioneer in extended reality (XR) technology, has partnered with Netflix to push the boundaries of immersive storytelling. The alliance was built on mutual respect for innovation and brand integrity, as the two giants set out to recreate the iconic Squid Game set in XR.

The physical XR studio, approximately 12 meters by 8 meters, was the canvas for this groundbreaking project. Blinx's in-house creative team handled the environment design, set logic, and editorial cues, ensuring a seamless blend of virtual and real-world elements.

Two hours of technical rehearsals were conducted, followed by a dry run with stand-ins, to finalise lighting, camera calibration, and interaction cues. The hybrid pipeline allowed for photorealistic environments with broadcast precision, seamlessly blending camera tracking, lighting, and high visual fidelity assets from Unreal Engine.

Vizrt's XR Set technology and Unreal Engine powered the project, creating a boundless virtual space. Viz Engine 5 was used for compositing and real-time rendering, a testament to the synergy between the two technologies.

Balancing high visual fidelity with real-time performance was a challenge, especially under tight timelines. However, the Blinx team demonstrated the maturity of their XR pipeline and the agility of their creative tech team, completing the virtual set in just under two days.

The actors were genuinely surprised and impressed by the finished studio, with one asking where the "toy" came from. This project marks a significant step forward in Blinx's mission to build a future where immersive storytelling is the norm, not the exception. With Vizrt as a long-standing technology partner and Unreal Engine as their creative engine, Blinx plans to continue using XR for future projects.

XR and virtual production have been a part of Blinx's strategy since its launch. As they continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in XR storytelling, it's clear that Blinx is leading the charge towards a future where immersive experiences become the standard in entertainment.