Stratechery Unity, Weta, and Faceless Platforms
Nov 18, 2021
Unity's acquisition of Weta Digital marks a pivotal moment in digital filmmaking, showcasing CGI's evolution and Peter Jackson's insights. The podcast delves into how Unity has transformed game development, becoming a crucial ally for indie developers through its strategic focus on mobile gaming. The discussion reveals Unity's impressive 142% net expansion rate driven by their land and expand strategy. Finally, the potential impact of this acquisition on the creative industry is explored, emphasizing collaboration and innovation in shaping the future metaverse.
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Weta's Integrated Beginnings
- Peter Jackson, inspired by Jurassic Park, founded Weta Digital to explore CGI's potential.
- Initially, Weta was fully integrated, using Heavenly Creatures as a pretext to acquire their first computer and develop software.
Weta's Expansion and Redundancy
- Weta expanded its work to films beyond Jackson's projects, like Avatar and Avengers.
- Despite owning the software, Weta's developers preferred creating new, improved code over reusing existing tools, leading to redundant efforts.
Shifting Focus to Speed and Cost
- Peter Jackson noted a shift in CGI, from struggling with specific effects like water and fur to everything being possible.
- Improvements now focus on speed and cost reductions, allowing for more iterations and better results.