- Weta, which was co-founded by Sir Peter in 1993, is known for creating animated characters such as Avatar’s Neyriti, Gollum in the Lord of the Rings film series and Caesar from Planet of the Apes.
- Its visual effects business will remain as a separate company called WetaFX, which is expected to become one of Unity’s largest customers.
- It’s really going to be a disruptive deal and be beneficial to creatives all around the world.
A part of Weta Digital, which has worked on blockbusters such as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar, has been purchased by Unity, a video game development business as reported by BBC.
Weta equivalent of Hollywood
Games like Pokémon Go and Call of Duty: Mobile use Unity’s technology.
According to the companies, the merger will “democratise” Weta’s special effects technologies.
Sir Peter said in a statement, “Together, Unity and Weta Digital can offer a road for any artist, from any field, to be able to harness these tremendously creative and powerful tools.”
Sir Peter co-founded Weta in 1993, and the company is recognised for creating animated characters like Neyriti from Avatar, Gollum from the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and Caesar from Planet of the Apes.
“Weta is our equivalent of Hollywood in the southern hemisphere,” Sydney-based film critic James Fletcher told the BBC.
“Peter Jackson is a filmmaker with a unique perspective. He didn’t have the tools he needed to obtain the outcomes he desired, so he assembled a team, “ added he.
The company will be divided up as part of the sale, with its technological assets being transferred to Unity as Weta Digital.
WetaFX
WetaFX, the company’s visual effects division, will continue to exist as a distinct entity and is likely to become one of Unity’s top customers.
Sir Peter and the company’s digital artists will “remain in New Zealand and continue to make movies here,” according to Weta.
Unity said in a statement that it will “bring Weta’s very rare and advanced visual effects capabilities into the hands of millions of creators and artists across the world,” giving them the ability to define the metaverse’s future.
After Facebook announced last month that it would change its name to Meta to better represent its new focus on connecting users through augmented and virtual reality, the word metaverse has gained traction in recent weeks.
“This is a really exciting deal,” Mr Fletcher remarked.
“They’ll be able to provide filmmakers access to this technology. It’ll be a game-changer for the creative community all across the world.”
Unity’s stock dropped more than 6% in extended trading on the New York Stock Exchange after the news of the cash-and-stock acquisition.
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Source: BBC
