FACTIONS uses motion capture technology to create virtual animated characters

Bernie Su is one of the most innovative creators in the web series television industry. After winning the first Youtube Primetime Emmy for his Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Lizzie Bennet’s diaries, the director, screenwriter and producer moved on to Emma Approved, which spanned five platforms and won it the same award twice more.

Moving on from his adaptations of Austen, Artificial was Bernie’s next creation. As innovative as it is, it brought its first web series to Twitch, which just like Emma Approved, is interactive and looks a lot like Emma Approved, received an Emmy upon the release of Season 1.

In the seasons that followed, an extremely talented cast joined the project, including Dante Basco. (Hook, Avatar: The Last Airbender), Tohoru Masamune (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Inception), Jennifer champ (Swim, Miss Asia-America), Justin lee (Development stopped, Maintenance), Stephen chang (Captain Marvel, The Last of Us II), and Alejandra Reynoso (Castlevania, Winx Club). Besides, Tiffany Chu, Veronica Mitsuk, Devon Werkheiser, LaTrice Harper, Christy St. John and others helped complete the cast over the first three seasons.

Stepping Up Things For Season 4, which is titled Artificial: Factions and premieres this Thursday on Twitch, two virtual animated characters are created using motion capture technology, which is not at all surprising given Bernie’s interactive and innovative career. Continuing the rivalry between the characters played by Dante Basco and Stephen A. Chang, everyone’s AIs will see the web series audience split in two and forced to choose a faction to support.

Los Angeles, California, August 31, 2020 – Distributed exclusively on Tic, the award-winning sci-fi series, live, scripted, serialized and interactive with audiences Artificial returns for its fourth season on September 9, 2021, showcasing all of the innovative new ways for audiences to collaborate and determine character outcomes.

From triple award-winning writer / producer to Primetime Emmy® Bernie su, Season 4 of Artificial will introduce factions, an interactive storytelling tool that allows audiences to choose sides and make decisions that determine the outcome of the series. The leaders of these rival factions are Kai and Ember – virtual characters (known as Vtubers) played by live actors using motion capture technology. Vtubers are created by Obskur, a developer of interactive multimedia software.

“We’re excited to see the thrilling drama of Season 4 of Artificial exclusively on Twitch,” said Steven Flisler, Head of Original Content at Twitch. “Artificial: Factions truly embodies what Twitch is – the future of entertainment. With the innovative extensions, cutting edge technology and live audience interaction available on our service, viewers can be closely involved and have an impact on the direction of the story. We look forward to seeing what Bernie, the team and our community have in store for this coming season. “

“This season, we’re taking consistent audience storytelling to another level by allowing viewers to side with their favorite characters to pit themselves against and compete directly with others,” said Bernie Su, co-creator and founder of 96 Next. “This collectively shared audience experience has never been performed on scripted television.”

Artificial: Factions will follow the competition between two rival tech CEOs, played by Stephen chang (Captain Marvel, The Last of Us Part II) and Dante Basco (Hook, “Avatar: The Last Airbender”), and their AIs, Ember and Kai, as they race to be the first to capture rare technology. Viewers will join the factions, choosing either Sebastian (Chang) or Zander (Basco), and help their team develop their AI to win the Heist by voting in faction-specific polls and using Twitch Channel Points to improve their team, and sabotage their enemies.

This season will put heist strategy decisions directly in the hands of the viewer, as audiences will make decisions that will have a huge impact on the final episode. Additionally, every third episode will be a world-building episode, a dynamic interactive experience with the creators behind the show that empowers audiences to make important decisions over the course of the story, including character creation and design. decorations.

With new characters, settings and inventive technology only available through Twitch, Artificial: Factions will air live every Thursday at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET from September 9, 2021 to November 18, 2021.

While there is a lot of information in the press release above, you can also see the official announcement tweet and teaser for Artificial: Factions, a.k.a Artificial Season 4, below.

What do you think of these advances and changes Artificial for Season 4? We’ll have a full chat with creator Bernie Su who will help you explain exactly what’s going on in the new season, which kicks off Thursday, so stay tuned for more!

In the meantime, anyone interested in the show should check out our brand new chat with model, actress and former Miss Asian America Jennifer Field. (To swim), in which we discuss the character she plays in the series, Dr. Ruby.

Artificial Season 4 – Artificial Factions kicks off on Twitch this week on Thursday, September 9.