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META × BLUMHOUSE

XR cinematic experience with real-time VFX for Meta Quest

System


XR cinematic experience designed for Meta Quest platforms, combining real-time visual effects with streamed cinematic content.

The project reimagines Blumhouse horror films (including M3GAN and The Black Phone) as immersive XR experiences, where visual effects extend beyond the screen and spatial audio enhances presence.


The experience premiered at Meta Connect and was later released as a live application on the Meta Quest Store.

Scope


  • XR cinematic experience with minimal interactivity

  • Real-time streaming application

  • Target platforms: Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S

  • Performance constraints of standalone XR hardware

  • High-quality streamed video (4K) with spatial audio

  • Sensitivity to network latency and bandwidth

  • Strong IP and brand restrictions from Meta, Blumhouse, and Universal Pictures

  • Tight delivery timeline aligned with Meta Connect release

My Role


Technical Artist / VFX / XR

  • Development of real-time shaders and visual effects

  • Technical art tools and effect integration

  • Real-time VFX implementation within Unity

  • Optimization for XR performance on Meta Quest hardware

  • Integration of cinematic content with immersive environmental effects

  • Ensuring visual impact while maintaining performance constraints

Technical Solution


  • Developed custom HLSL shaders and real-time VFX tailored for XR constraints

  • Balanced low-resolution headset rendering with streamed 4K video playback

  • Integrated real-time visual effects layered over cinematic content

  • Used Unity as the core engine

  • Employed HISPlayer for video streaming and Dolby Atmos for spatial audio

  • Utilized cloud tank simulations and XR-specific VFX techniques

  • Prototyped effects workflows in Houdini before real-time implementation

The main technical challenge was maintaining performance on Meta Quest 3S while synchronizing real-time effects with high-quality streamed video and spatial audio under varying network conditions.


Tools


  • Unity

  • HLSL

  • Houdini

  • HISPlayer

  • Dolby Atmos

Result


  • Live demo at Meta Connect

  • Public release on the Meta Quest Store

  • Strong audience reactions during demos, particularly in horror sequences

  • Positive feedback from Meta and Blumhouse teams

  • Demonstrated viability of XR cinematic experiences with immersive VFX under strict hardware constraints

  • Effect techniques reusable for future VR cinema and branded XR experiences

Ⓒ pavelzosim.com — Technical Artist (Houdini, Game Engines)

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