Following the K/DA AR debut at Worlds 2018, the goal was to push further — not just a scripted performance, but a live, unscripted AR character interacting with the real world in front of millions of viewers. Virtual idols were the dominant entertainment form in China. Akali, K/DA's breakout champion, was the obvious choice. The result was three distinct public-facing moments that together demonstrated something new: a virtual character with a genuine, living presence.
"We found that the most compelling cases for AR character use had taken place in live, unscripted expressions. There is something magical and authentic when a virtual character interacts 'in the moment' that goes beyond a fully scripted and pre-recorded expression."
— Kevin Scharff, Production Director
Beat 1 of 3
Promotional Teaser · Pre-Event
Before the event, Akali addressed the fans directly — a promotional teaser welcoming viewers to Shanghai and setting the stage for what was coming. A virtual character existing in the world, not just on a stage.
Akali — Welcome to Shanghai · Promotional teaser · K/DA · LPL Summer Finals 2019.
K/DA Akali · LPL 2019 promotional campaign.
Shanghai · September 2019
The event took place at Shanghai's Mercedes-Benz Arena as part of the 2019 League of Legends Pro League Finals — the largest regional esports event of the year in Riot's largest player region. With 18,000 fans in the venue and 60M viewers on broadcast, it was the highest-stakes live production environment imaginable for a first-of-its-kind AR experience.
Arriving at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai.
Load-in and set construction — the arena being prepared for show night.
Inside the arena during LPL Finals match play.
Beat 2 of 3
Opening Ceremonies · Los Angeles · Manchester · Shanghai
Akali performed live at the LPL Summer Finals opening ceremonies in front of 18,000 fans and 60M broadcast viewers. The production spanned three continents: choreography and body mocap at Animatrik in Los Angeles, facial capture tech and actress rehearsal with Cubic Motion in Manchester, and the live event at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai.
Akali — Live AR Dance Performance · LPL Summer Finals, Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena, September 2019. Motion capture from Los Angeles, performed live in front of 18,000 fans and 60M viewers.
Los Angeles · Giving performance feedback during body mocap at Animatrik.
Los Angeles · Blocking out the choreography sequence.
Shanghai · Rehearsal and technical run-throughs at the arena.
Beat 3 of 3
LPL Finals Match · Industry First · Live & Unscripted
During the finals match, Akali sat down for a live, unscripted on-camera interview with host Candice — broadcast in real time to 60M viewers. The first time a virtual AR character had conducted an unscripted live interview on a broadcast stage. Facial capture performed live in Manchester by a voice and motion actress, composited in real time in Shanghai via Cubic Motion's Persona system.
Akali & Host Candice — Live AR Interview · Unscripted, live on broadcast. Facial capture in Manchester, composited in real time in Shanghai. An industry first.
Pixotope / The Future Group · Case Study · How Riot Games brought a virtual K/DA idol to life at LPL 2019. Read the case study →
Manchester, UK · Technical testing at Cubic Motion.
Shanghai · On-site rehearsals at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Shanghai · Mocap volume on-site during the LPL Finals.
Partners · Pipeline · Industry First
The first live broadcast combining real-time ray tracing and real-time facial animation simultaneously, at 59.94 fps, composited in under 17ms per frame. Four Pixotope AR platforms deployed (3 live + 1 backup). Three camera angles: jib arm, free-roaming Steadicam, high aerial.
Want more details? Pixotope published a full breakdown of the AR technology and pipeline behind this production — the real-time ray tracing, facial capture, camera tracking, and live compositing that made it possible.
Read the Pixotope Case Study →Los Angeles · Manchester · Shanghai
"We worked together across three continents for this experience — in Los Angeles for the original motion capture of the dance beat, in Shanghai for casting, modeling, location scouting, and pre-visualization, and in Manchester for a technical test and capture of the live interview, and finally in Shanghai for the live event. The key to the success was the collaboration and seamless integration of Riot teams in LA and China with world-class partners in Pixotope, Animatrik, and Cubic Motion."
— Kevin Scharff
Los Angeles · LA Mocap Shoot at Animatrik Film Design.
Manchester, UK · Manchester Technical Test with Cubic Motion.
Shanghai · Some of the crew celebrating at the LPL event.