Ziva Dynamics

Ziva Dynamics, founded in early 2015 and based in Vancouver, Canada, specializes in advanced character simulation technology for creating lifelike virtual characters in films, television shows, and video games. The company's flagship software, Ziva VFX, utilizes biomechanics and physics-embedded soft tissue simulation to replicate realistic movement of muscles, fat, and skin in computer-generated characters. Ziva's technology stack offers both offline and real-time capabilities, as well as previsualization tools. In January 2022, Ziva Dynamics was acquired by Unity Technologies, a leading real-time development platform provider.

Ziva's approach combines the latest advancements in computer graphics and computing techniques with an extensive understanding of anatomical simulation. The company's software allows users to create people, animals, and other deformable objects like cloth, with realistic deformations. Ziva Real Time (ZivaRT) employs machine learning to produce shape deformations for real-time environments, while ZRT Face Trainer is a cloud-based facial rigging service built on an extensive library of 4D data and machine learning algorithms for real-time facial animation without traditional rigging.

The company's technology has been used in various high-profile projects across the entertainment industry. As of January 2022, Ziva had collaborated with over 100 studios, contributing to productions such as Game of Thrones, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Godzilla vs.. Kong, and Marvel's Realm of Champions. In the gaming industry, Ziva's software has been featured in titles like Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

Key customers and partnerships

Ziva Dynamics has worked with leading organizations in the entertainment industry to develop future-proof solutions leveraging simulated biomechanical movement. The company's technology has found applications beyond entertainment, extending to industries such as retail, fashion and apparel, telecommunications, sports science, and healthcare. Notably, Ziva's software was used by Ninja Theory in the development of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II.