Anyma’s ‘The End of Genesys’ show at the Las Vegas Sphere is one of the most visually and sonically immersive live performances ever created. The combination of cutting-edge audiovisual technology and the unique storytelling style of Anyma has captivated audiences worldwide. In this article, we will explore the behind-the-scenes making of this show, audience reactions, and the technical innovations that brought it to life. We will also compare its execution to other large-scale Sphere projects, such as The Wizard of Oz 16K Sphere Project (YMCinema), and reference more expert insights from YMCinema Magazine.
Unlike traditional concerts, where LED screens are used primarily for background visuals, The End of Genesys fully utilized the Sphere’s wraparound display to create an immersive, 360-degree visual environment. This approach allowed the audience to feel as though they were inside an evolving digital world, where the lines between reality and virtual art blurred.
Crafting the Visual and Sonic Experience
The Las Vegas Sphere is a technological marvel, boasting a 16K x 16K immersive LED screen, a state-of-the-art spatial audio system, and advanced haptic feedback capabilities. For Anyma’s ‘The End of Genesys,’ the production team leveraged these features to create an otherworldly audiovisual experience. Matteo Milleri, the mastermind behind Anyma, envisioned a performance where AI-driven visuals would seamlessly interact with music, enhancing the thematic storytelling of the Genesys project. The show’s visuals incorporated futuristic, biomechanical elements that aligned with Anyma’s overarching narrative of the fusion between humanity and technology.
Unlike traditional concerts, where LED screens are used primarily for background visuals, The End of Genesys fully utilized the Sphere’s wraparound display to create an immersive, 360-degree visual environment. This approach allowed the audience to feel as though they were inside an evolving digital world, where the lines between reality and virtual art blurred.
The production of The End of Genesys at the Las Vegas Sphere relied on an advanced software ecosystem that seamlessly integrated real-time rendering, AI-driven generative art, and motion graphics to craft its immersive visuals. The team employed Unreal Engine 5, a leading real-time 3D creation tool, to render high-fidelity environments and animations at an unprecedented scale, ensuring smooth playback on the Sphere’s 16K resolution screen. AI-powered generative tools, including Stable Diffusion and custom machine learning models, played a crucial role in creating dynamic, evolving visuals that responded to the music in real time. Additionally, Notch and TouchDesigner were used to develop interactive visual effects, enabling a level of responsiveness and fluidity that traditional pre-rendered graphics could not achieve. For synchronization, the show relied on timecode-based software such as Disguise, which allowed for precise coordination between visuals, lighting, and sound. The combination of these technologies enabled a groundbreaking fusion of music and digital artistry, setting a new precedent for live performance visuals.
The Technology Behind the Visuals: Tools, Techniques, and Methods
Unreal Engine 5 and AI-Driven CGI
The visuals for The End of Genesys were primarily created using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5, a game engine known for its real-time rendering capabilities. This allowed the team to generate hyper-detailed, photorealistic environments with dynamic lighting and physics-based animations. The engine’s Nanite virtualized geometry system and Lumen global illumination enabled the production to achieve the high fidelity required for the Sphere’s 16K LED display. In addition to Unreal Engine 5, AI-powered visual tools played a crucial role in generating the surreal, cybernetic aesthetic of the show. Machine learning algorithms were used to create procedural animations that reacted dynamically to the music. AI-assisted generative design techniques helped sculpt the biomechanical and futuristic elements, ensuring that every visual was synchronized with Anyma’s thematic vision.
The Sphere is redefining the possibilities of large-scale entertainment, blending cinema, concerts, and interactive experiences. Shows like The End of Genesys highlight the shift towards hyper-immersive, high-resolution storytelling, which could influence future filmmaking, premium cinema formats, and live events.
Volumetric Capture and Motion Graphics
While pre-rendered CGI formed the core of the visuals, the production also incorporated volumetric capture to integrate real-world motion data into the digital realm. By using motion capture suits and volumetric scanning rigs, human movements were recorded and transformed into high-fidelity 3D animations, seamlessly blending organic and digital elements. Motion graphics software such as Cinema 4D and Houdini were used to craft the intricate visual effects, including particle simulations, fluid dynamics, and abstract shape morphing. These tools enabled the team to create visuals that felt both lifelike and surreal, matching the cybernetic themes of Anyma’s music.
Custom-Built Rendering Pipelines
Rendering content at 16K resolution requires immense computational power. The production team developed custom-built rendering pipelines using high-performance NVIDIA RTX GPUs and cloud-based render farms. This ensured that the visuals retained their extreme detail and fluidity without performance bottlenecks. Additionally, real-time ray tracing was employed to enhance reflections, refractions, and lighting effects, making the visuals appear more immersive within the Sphere’s massive display system.
Spatial Audio Integration
The show’s visual elements were intricately tied to its spatial audio design, utilizing the Sphere’s state-of-the-art sound system. Dolby Atmos technology was leveraged to map sound sources dynamically within the Sphere, ensuring that audio cues were perfectly in sync with the on-screen visuals. This created a multi-sensory experience where viewers felt physically immersed in the music and visuals.
Did They Use Big Sky Cameras?
A key question surrounding the technical execution of the show is whether the production team utilized Sphere Entertainment Co.’s proprietary Big Sky cameras. The Big Sky system was initially developed for high-resolution cinematic experiences within the Sphere, such as the 16K Wizard of Oz Sphere Project (YMCinema). However, it appears that The End of Genesys took a different approach, relying on pre-rendered CGI environments rather than traditional filmed footage. While Big Sky cameras were designed to capture live-action content at unprecedented resolutions, Anyma’s show was built on a foundation of CGI and generative visuals, making it less dependent on traditional cinematography and more focused on real-time rendering and motion graphics. The use of AI-assisted graphics, rendered in 16K fidelity, made this show a groundbreaking endeavor in the world of live performance.
The Las Vegas Sphere is equipped with a 16K x 16K immersive LED screen, a state-of-the-art spatial audio system, and advanced haptic feedback capabilities. For ‘The End of Genesys,’ the production team fully utilized these features to create an otherworldly audiovisual experience. Matteo Milleri, the creative force behind Anyma, envisioned a performance where AI-driven visuals would seamlessly interact with music, enhancing the thematic storytelling of the Genesys project. The show’s visuals incorporated futuristic, biomechanical elements that aligned with Anyma’s overarching narrative of the fusion between humanity and technology. Unlike traditional concerts, where LED screens serve primarily as background visuals, ‘The End of Genesys’ employed the Sphere’s wraparound display to create an immersive, 360-degree visual environment. This approach allowed the audience to feel as though they were inside an evolving digital world, blurring the lines between reality and virtual art.
Audience Reactions: A New Standard for Live Performance
The reaction to The End of Genesys has been overwhelmingly positive. Attendees shared their awe on platforms like Reddit (source, additional reactions), praising the show’s ability to fully immerse viewers in a futuristic dreamscape. Fans have described it as “the most immersive event ever attended” and “a visual and auditory spectacle unlike anything before.” Some emphasized how the concert didn’t just present visuals but made them an integral, almost interactive part of the storytelling, drawing comparisons to a cinematic VR experience. Others noted that the show felt like a glimpse into the future of live music, setting a new bar for immersive entertainment.
Audience reactions to ‘The End of Genesys’ have been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees praising the seamless integration of music and visuals. The immersive environment created by the Sphere’s advanced technology provided a sensory experience that transcended traditional concert expectations. Attendees reported feeling as though they were part of the performance, enveloped in the evolving digital landscape crafted by Anyma. This innovative approach has set a new standard for live performances, demonstrating the potential of technology to enhance artistic expression and audience engagement. In summary, Anyma’s ‘The End of Genesys’ at the Las Vegas Sphere exemplifies the future of live performances, where cutting-edge technology and creative vision converge to deliver an unparalleled immersive experience.
The Future of Premium Cinema and Immersive Entertainment
The Sphere is redefining the possibilities of large-scale entertainment, blending cinema, concerts, and interactive experiences. Shows like The End of Genesys highlight the shift towards hyper-immersive, high-resolution storytelling, which could influence future filmmaking, premium cinema formats, and live events. As technology advances, we may see more projects leveraging real-time graphics, AI-driven visuals, and spatial audio to create experiences that go beyond passive viewing. With the success of Anyma’s show and productions like The Wizard of Oz 16K Sphere Project, immersive storytelling is entering a new era—one where digital art, music, and cinema converge into fully interactive spectacles.
