Motion capture studio with tracking equipment

Bring Your Arcade Characters to Life with Professional Motion Capture

When your game needs movements that feel real and engaging, our Burbank studio delivers precision motion capture that transforms gameplay into memorable experiences.

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15+
Years Experience
200+
Games Shipped
24hr
Turnaround Available

The Challenge of Creating Believable Movement

You've put countless hours into your arcade game's design, mechanics, and visuals. But when it comes to character movement, something feels off. The animations lack the natural fluidity that makes players connect with the action. Hand-keyed animations can only go so far, and your team is already stretched thin.

Maybe you've tried working with generic animation libraries, only to find they don't quite match your game's unique style. Or perhaps you've considered motion capture before but were overwhelmed by the technical complexity and cost. You know your characters deserve better, but finding the right solution feels like another challenge on an already demanding project timeline.

The reality is that players notice when movement feels artificial. In arcade games where split-second reactions matter, unconvincing animations can break immersion and impact gameplay feel. Your development team understands this, but without access to professional motion capture resources, achieving that level of polish seems out of reach.

Our Approach to Motion Capture Excellence

At Motion Lab, we've built our studio around a straightforward principle: motion capture should enhance your creative vision, not complicate it. Our facility in Burbank houses optical tracking systems calibrated for precision, operated by technicians who understand game development workflows.

Real-Time Preview

See your captures immediately with real-time character preview, allowing you to direct performances and make adjustments during the session.

Game-Ready Output

Receive cleaned, processed animation data compatible with Unity, Unreal, and custom engines, ready for integration into your project.

Experienced Performers

Work with motion actors who specialize in game animation, understanding how to deliver performances that translate well to various character types.

Flexible Pipeline

Our workflow adapts to your production needs, whether you need full capture sessions, retargeting services, or facial animation systems.

We understand that every game has unique requirements. That's why our team takes time to understand your character designs, gameplay mechanics, and technical constraints before capture begins. This collaborative approach means you get animation data that works with your vision, not against it.

From Concept to Compelling Animation

The difference between flat animations and engaging character movement isn't magic—it's the combination of professional capture technology and thoughtful execution. When you work with Motion Lab, your characters gain the subtle weight shifts, momentum, and natural timing that players recognize instinctively.

What Changes for Your Project

  • Character movements feel natural and responsive, enhancing player connection to the game
  • Animation production time decreases as you receive polished, ready-to-implement data
  • Your team can focus on gameplay refinement rather than animation troubleshooting
  • Facial expressions and body language add depth to character personalities
  • Combat moves, platforming actions, and idle behaviors gain authentic weight and timing

Whether you're developing a fighting game that demands precise combat animations or an adventure title needing expressive character performances, motion capture provides the foundation for movement that feels right. The investment in quality animation pays forward throughout your game's lifecycle, as players respond to characters that move with believable authenticity.

Experience You Can Rely On

Motion Lab has been supporting arcade game developers since 2009. Our Burbank facility has contributed animation to titles ranging from indie fighting games to major studio productions. This breadth of experience means we understand the unique demands of arcade game development—from frame-precise timing to performance optimization.

15+
Years Operating

Established studio with proven track record in game animation

48
Camera System

High-precision optical tracking covering 12m x 12m capture volume

200+
Shipped Titles

Animations featured in commercial arcade and console games

Our technical team includes motion capture specialists with backgrounds in both game development and performance capture. This combination ensures that we're not just capturing movement—we're creating animation assets that integrate smoothly into your production pipeline. We work with Unity, Unreal Engine, custom engines, and various middleware solutions.

Studio Certifications & Standards

  • OptiTrack Certified Studio Partner
  • Unreal Engine Service Provider
  • Unity Verified Solutions Partner
  • SAG-AFTRA Signatory Studio

Let's Discuss Your Project

Share some details about your game, and we'll get back to you with how Motion Lab can help bring your characters to life.

Start with Confidence

We understand that investing in motion capture is a significant decision for your project. That's why we offer a no-obligation consultation to discuss your specific needs and show you exactly what our studio can deliver.

Free Studio Tour

Visit our Burbank facility to see our capture volume, meet the team, and watch a live demonstration of our systems in action.

Test Capture Available

Request a sample capture session to evaluate our output quality and workflow compatibility with your pipeline.

Flexible Scheduling

We work around your development timeline with evening and weekend sessions available for rush projects.

Technical Support

Our team provides integration assistance to ensure captured animations work seamlessly in your game engine.

There's no pressure to commit. Reach out, ask questions, and explore whether Motion Lab is the right fit for your project. We're here to help you make informed decisions about your game's animation needs.

Our Motion Capture Services

Professional animation solutions tailored for arcade game development

Motion capture session in progress

Motion Capture Services

Full-body performance capture with state-of-the-art optical tracking. Professional actors bring your characters to life with authentic movements captured in real-time with immediate preview capabilities.

$8,900 per session
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Animation retargeting workflow

Animation Retargeting

Adapt existing motion capture to different character types and proportions. Our retargeting pipeline preserves performance essence while accommodating your unique character designs.

$6,400 per project
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Facial capture technology

Facial Capture Systems

High-resolution facial animation capture for emotional depth. Track subtle expressions and create comprehensive blend shape libraries for expressive character performances.

$7,700 per setup
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