Vizrt has partnered with Dubai-based blinx Media to launch an industry first TikTok Live livestream with extended reality (XR) graphics. This livestream, hosted by various media personalities and regional influencers, is the first instance of content being created in a virtual studio, with audiences utilizing TikTok’s gifting capabilities to transform the virtual set in real-time, as Vizrt has claimed in a statement.

For instance, a user gifting a virtual “Galaxy” will see the studio transformed into a galactic animation, with their name dynamically displayed in 3D within the scene.

These graphics are rendered in Unreal Engine with the XR experience powered and controlled by Vizrt’s Viz Engine 5. This includes Video I/O, the handling of tracking data from cameras, and the calculation of the video wall projection.

“With TikTok driving $400M in user gifting in the U.S. alone last year, this collaboration with blinx showcases the potential of real-time XR experiences to revolutionize industries like live media production, influencer-led initiatives, and branded digital engagement”, shares Chris Black, Chief Marketing Officer, Vizrt.

“More content creators are looking to monetize live streams, and this technology demonstrates how greater levels of monetization can be achieved without the hard sell – instead driving transactions with deeply immersive entertainment opportunities for audiences”, adds Black.

Fadi Radi, Chief Creative Officer at blinx, comments: “Blinx is committed to pioneering gamification and fostering one-to-one interactions in live streaming. With this project, we’ve demonstrated technology that is years ahead of current real-time audience engagement features on platforms like TikTok. By integrating TikTok’s API with Vizrt’s XR capabilities, we’re redefining how people connect with live content. This fusion creates an entirely new experience, where gifting players and viewers actively shape immersive, ever-evolving visual narratives within a dynamic virtual environment they control”.

The livestream took place on blinx’s TikTok channel on 2nd April and will be recreated at NAB 2025 in Las Vegas on the Vizrt booth (W3031) and live streamed to Vizrt’s TikTok @vizrtofficial, each day April 5th – 9th.