Real-time character activation · Client: Outrise Studios
Mimic Rocky's Experience
A character pipeline case study for a real-time interactive activation produced by Outrise Studios at Forum Buenavista in Mexico City, created around the public launch experience for Project Hail Mary.
Overview
What the activation was
Mimic Rocky's Experience was an interactive activation developed for the release of Project Hail Mary, produced and executed by Outrise Studios at Forum Buenavista in Mexico City.
The experience allowed visitors to interact in real time with a digital character, combining a physical installation, camera-based tracking, real-time response, and a production-ready 3D character pipeline.
Red Raccoon supported the production by preparing the character and supporting assets for Unreal Engine, focusing specifically on model adaptation, hybrid rigging, animation cycles, texturing, cave/environment assets, and Unreal-ready implementation support.
The Challenge
A cinematic creature, translated into real time
The project required a fast, technically reliable pipeline that could support a non-human character inside a premium public activation without overclaiming, overbuilding, or breaking visual consistency.
Our Role
Clear ownership, clean collaboration
Red Raccoon delivered
We acted as the character pipeline studio, taking the asset from production needs into a real-time-ready implementation path.
- Model adaptation for real-time use
- Hybrid rigging system
- Animation cycles and behavioral loops
- Texture development aligned with VFX reference
- Cave and environment assets
- Unreal-ready implementation support
Outrise Studios led
Outrise owned the experience layer and the interactive system around the installation.
- Experience design
- AI tracking and camera systems
- Interaction logic
- Real-time behavior system
- Overall activation production
How We Solved It
Built for performance, fidelity, and interaction
Retopology and Textures
The character asset was adapted for real-time use while preserving the visual read of the VFX reference, with textures built for material response, surface detail, and dynamic lighting.
- Real-time model adaptation
- VFX-reference texture matching
- Surface detail and material response
Rigging
The character required a custom hybrid rig to support five independent legs, a dynamic head structure, and stable real-time responsiveness during interaction.
- Five-leg setup
- Dynamic head controls
- Interaction-ready deformation logic
Animation
We produced 10 behavior animations based on film footage and reference material, designed to preserve personality while supporting the needs of a responsive installation.
- 10 behavior loops
- Film-footage reference study
- Motion designed for real-time response
Selected Visuals
Development process
Behind-the-scenes work showing the hybrid rig development, texturing iterations, environmental design, and animation loops that powered the real-time activation at Forum Buenavista.
Rig and interaction tests
Hand and paw articulation enabling expressive gestures across all fingers and joints.
Five-leg locomotion system bringing life to Rocky's non-humanoid movement and visitor interaction.
Head rocks rigged for movement and sound design—how Rocky communicates with visitors through physical expression.
Texturing turnaround
360-degree texture passes capturing material definition, color variation, and surface detail for real-time lighting response.
Character concepts informed the animation exploration. Before finalizing the movement system, we studied Rocky's visual language through design variations and expression studies.
Character studies exploring Rocky's personality, silhouette, and visual language for the activation.
Animation cycle tuned for real-time response, looping naturally while Rocky reacts to visitor proximity and interaction.
Environment assets from Outrise's design, which Red Raccoon integrated and implemented into the installation, managing visitor sightlines and interactive zones.
Public Documentation
Featured coverage
Coverage and social posts are linked as press and public documentation. Red Raccoon’s claim remains focused on the character pipeline delivered for Outrise Studios.
What's Next
We're still in touch
The best sign of a good partnership? When the collaboration doesn't end. After Mimic Rocky's Experience, we continued working with Outrise Studios on new projects. We can't detail everything, some work is under NDA, but what we can tell you is this: the relationship held, the workflow stayed clean, and both teams kept coming back for more. That trust is what every partnership should feel like.
Ready to build something together? Let's talk about your pipeline.
Bring your project to Red Raccoon
Whether you're building interactive experiences, real-time character systems, or need specialized art pipeline support, Red Raccoon integrates with your team to deliver production-ready assets without friction.
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