Abertay University — Virtual Production Studios

Abertay University is playing a central role in the development of Scotland’s new £9 million virtual production studios, a major national investment designed to accelerate research, innovation and skills development across the screen, gaming and performance industries. The CoSTAR Realtime Lab brings together cutting-edge technologies including motion capture, real-time rendering, immersive environments and advanced digital production tools. This infrastructure enables interdisciplinary collaboration between academics, students and industry partners working across computer games technology, film production, theatre, music performance and digital storytelling.

The studios are not only a research asset but also a testbed for new production techniques, creative workflows and immersive audience experiences. Researchers are exploring applications ranging from virtual film sets and digital twins to live performance augmentation and interactive narrative design. By co-locating research and industry activity, the facility strengthens knowledge exchange, accelerates commercialisation pathways and supports workforce development in high-growth creative sectors.

The initiative also enhances student learning by providing hands-on access to industry-standard tools, ensuring graduates are equipped for emerging roles in virtual production and immersive media. More broadly, the project positions Scotland — and Abertay in particular — as a global hub for convergent creative technologies and applied digital innovation.

Full details available here

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