Cubic Motion
Cubic Motion is a Manchester, UK-based specialist in real-time model-based computer vision and digital animation, delivering end-to-end character creation and animation services built on 4D data for AAA game studios and blockbuster linear content productions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Epic Games, Inc., with its pipeline underpinning Epic's MetaHuman character production standards.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Cubic Motion does
Cubic Motion is a Manchester, UK-based specialist in real-time model-based computer vision and digital animation technology, founded in 2009. The company delivers end-to-end character creation and animation services built around 4D data capture and processing, covering the full pipeline from scanning through to runtime characters in client projects. Its work is designed for narrative-focused AAA game development and blockbuster linear content productions, targeting high-fidelity digital humans and creature characters where photorealism is a competitive differentiator.
The company's underlying technology centers on a proprietary pipeline that underpins Epic Games' MetaHuman character production standards. Delivered characters build on MetaHuman asset formats and are compatible with MetaHuman Animator, providing clients with an efficient and consistent workflow for large-scale AAA productions. Cubic Motion is positioned as a trusted partner across the AAA industry, with a customer roster spanning Bethesda, Capcom, Kojima Productions, Insomniac Games, Remedy Entertainment, Guerrilla Games, Supermassive Games, Ninja Theory, Massive Entertainment (Ubisoft), Respawn Entertainment, BioWare, and Lightspeed & Quantum, as well as VFX firm MPC. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Epic Games, Inc., functioning as Epic's internal character creation studio.
Cubic Motion's business model is custom professional services delivered through direct enterprise engagement with AAA studios, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts tied to specific AAA game and linear content productions. The company raised approximately $25.8 million in a September 2017 funding round led by NorthEdge Capital prior to its acquisition by Epic Games, and now operates within Epic's broader Unreal Engine and MetaHuman ecosystem strategy. Marketing and customer acquisition rely primarily on portfolio showcase via a public website, organic social presence (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, ArtStation), and direct project inquiries from prospective AAA clients.
Cubic Motion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cubic Motion
- Legal name
- 3Lateral (a studio of Epic Games, Inc.)
- Website
- https://cubicmotion.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cubic Motion is a Manchester, UK-based specialist in real-time model-based computer vision and digital animation, delivering end-to-end character creation and animation services built on 4D data for AAA game studios and blockbuster linear content productions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Epic Games, Inc., with its pipeline underpinning Epic's MetaHuman character production standards.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cubic Motion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Character Animation Technology
- NAICS
- Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)
- SIC
- Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Humans, Avatars & Real-Time Character Pipelines (MPAHADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 3D Character Animation (MPAHACAB), 3D/CGI Animation Production (MPADACAB)
Keywords
Where Cubic Motion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Cubic Motion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Cubic Motion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cubic Motion provides real-time model-based computer vision and digital animation technology for the entertainment industry. The company's offerings cover the full character creation and animation pipeline—built around 4D data capture and processing—from 3D/4D scanning through to runtime characters, leveraging Epic Games MetaHuman asset formats and standards to deliver high-fidelity digital humans and creature characters for AAA game development and blockbuster linear content productions.
Product overview
3Lateral provides character creation and animation services built around 4D data, covering the entire character creation and animation production pipeline from scanning to runtime characters for AAA game development and blockbuster linear content productions. Their services are designed around MetaHuman standards, delivering high-fidelity digital humans or creature characters that are compatible with MetaHuman Animator.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Character Creation & Animation Services End-to-end character creation and animation production service covering 3D/4D scanning, character modelling, animation, and integration of runtime characters into AAA game and linear content productions. Built on MetaHuman asset formats and compatible with MetaHuman Animator, the service targets AAA game studios and blockbuster content producers seeking photorealistic digital humans and creature characters.
Companies that use Cubic Motion
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Cubic Motion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Cubic Motion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Epic Gamescore3Lateral is a subsidiary of Epic Games. The company operates as Epic Games' character creation studio, with its pipeline underpinning Epic Games' MetaHuman character production standards. Characters delivered by 3Lateral build on MetaHuman asset formats and are compatible with MetaHuman Animator.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Cubic Motion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Weta FX: High-end digital character and VFX studio renowned for photorealistic digital humans and creatures (Avatar, Planet of the Apes). Closely comparable in the premium digital character creation space, serving the same AAA film and game customers.
- Digital Domain: Visual effects and digital human studio with a long track record in photorealistic character work (Benjamin Button, Avengers). Directly comparable as a digital human / character creation vendor serving AAA film and game productions.
- Luma Pictures: Independent VFX and character animation studio delivering creature and digital character work for film and games (Guardians of the Galaxy, Suicide Squad). Comparable as a specialised character-focused services vendor at the AAA quality tier.
- Rising Sun Pictures: Boutique VFX and character animation studio serving blockbuster film and streaming productions. Comparable as a specialised services vendor competing for premium digital character work.
- Image Engine: VFX and creature/character studio known for work on the Planet of the Apes franchise and game-adjacent productions. Comparable in delivering premium creature and digital character work for AAA-tier productions.
- Method Studios: VFX and animation studio with creature and character capabilities for film, episodic, and game content. Comparable as a premium character services vendor serving blockbuster productions.
- Important Looking Pirates: Stockholm-based VFX and digital animation studio specialising in cinematic, creature, and character work for film and game productions. Comparable as a boutique, specialist character and animation services vendor at the AAA tier.
Broad incumbents
- Industrial Light & Magic (ILM): Lucasfilm's VFX and character creation division with deep expertise in digital humans (e.g., Rogue One, The Mandalorian). Comparable as a premium digital character vendor, though operating at much larger scale and across a broader portfolio.
- Framestore: Major integrated VFX and character studio with award-winning digital human and creature work (Gravity, Guardians of the Galaxy). Comparable in delivering premium digital characters to blockbuster film and AAA game productions.
- MPC (Moving Picture Company): Global VFX powerhouse with significant digital character and creature capabilities — notably also a listed customer of this studio. Comparable premium character vendor for film and AAA game productions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cubic Motion social profiles
Digital presenceCubic Motion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cubic Motion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Cubic Motion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cubic Motion M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cubic Motion
What does Cubic Motion do?
Cubic Motion provides real-time model-based computer vision and digital animation technology for the entertainment industry. The company's offerings cover the full character creation and animation pipeline—built around 4D data capture and processing—from 3D/4D scanning through to runtime characters, leveraging Epic Games MetaHuman asset formats and standards to deliver high-fidelity digital humans and creature characters for AAA game development and blockbuster linear content productions.
Is Cubic Motion a public or private company?
Cubic Motion is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Cubic Motion founded?
Cubic Motion was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cubic Motion based?
Cubic Motion is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
Who are Cubic Motion's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Weta FX, Digital Domain, Luma Pictures, Rising Sun Pictures, Image Engine, Method Studios and Important Looking Pirates. Broad incumbents are Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Framestore and MPC (Moving Picture Company).
Does Cubic Motion have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cubic Motion.
What industry is Cubic Motion in?
Cubic Motion's product category is Digital Character Animation Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHADAH, Digital Humans, Avatars & Real-Time Character Pipelines, with a secondary code of MPAHACAB, 3D Character Animation. Its NAICS code is 51219 and its SIC code is 7819.