USA - Immersive technology specialists, Quince Imaging, recently partnered with professional hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks, to install a permanent, projection-mapping solution at their Honda Centre home arena in Anaheim, California.
The installation aimed to enhance the Ducks’ fan experience through engaging, interactive visuals, especially during half-time breaks. At the centre of this project is Stage Precision’s SP software, which plays an integral part in Quince Imaging’s production workflow, allowing for precise tracking, calibration and real-time data integration.
“We’ve worked on various types of tracking and motion systems over the years,” says Eric Gazzillo, vice-president of innovation at Quince Imaging. “Integrating SP by Stage Precision was a turning point. It’s faster, more intuitive, and allows us to automate complex workflows. This is the system we’ve been waiting for and the tool that brings everything together.”
Coinciding with major infrastructure upgrades at the Honda Centre in anticipation of the 2028 Olympic Games, the Ducks aimed to elevate the matchday experience through a combination of projection, lighting design and data-driven visuals. The arena was outfitted with a powerful laser projection mapping system, comprising 12 Christie Griffyn 4k 50-RGB projectors, Mystique Pro Venue Edition software and an automated rigging system.
Quince Imaging introduced a custom-built interactive game called Frog Dash, intended to run during intermission breaks. It relies on player motion capture and ID tag tracking to create a real-time gaming experience. With the Ducks looking to integrate more sponsorship-driven content and immersive digital storytelling throughout the season, a scalable and responsive technology platform was essential.
“This was about more than putting images on the ice,” continues Gazzillo. “It was about designing a system that could evolve with the needs of the Ducks’ production team, not just a one-off show, but a foundation for creative growth.”
Although Quince Imaging had executed similar activations in the past, the integration of SP from Stage Precision marked a new chapter. The team had been exploring various options for years, seeking a solution that could unify their diverse requirements and technologies under one platform. That search led to conversations with Tony McIntyre at Stage Precision, whose insights into the software’s capabilities sparked immediate interest.
“We’d tried a few other systems,” recalls Gazzillo. “Stage Precision stood out. After several conversations with Tony, it became clear this was the right time to bring SP into the fold.”
For the Honda Centre activation, SP served as the crucial connector. The software facilitates communication between multiple hardware and software platforms, including an array of Opti Trackmotion capture cameras, Pixera media servers for content playback and the game engine that powered Frog Dash.
“Stage Precision is our Swiss Army knife,” states Gazzillo. “It sits at the centre of the operation, managing data flow between the tracking system, game engine and media servers. We use active ID tags on players, and SP handles the entire data communication network, from camera calibration through to real-time adjustments.”
The calibration process itself was notably efficient, utilising wand-based techniques that allowed the team to fine-tune alignment across the entire arena. SP enabled real-time control over tracking and frame synchronisation, eliminating the need for separate systems to handle different elements of the process. With latency and responsiveness playing a critical role in gameplay, this unified approach ensured flawless operation throughout the activation.
“Being able to adjust tracking and processing frame-wide in SP was a major step forward,” says Gazzillo. “It meant we could streamline post-processing and reduce any lags. Everything was smoother, quicker and more precise.”
The installation at the Honda Centre was completed in just four weeks, a tight time frame for deployment made possible by Quince Imaging’s experience and SP’s efficient calibration and control tools. The result was a successful launch on opening night, with dynamic visuals, real-time stat integration and the successful execution of the Frog Dash mini-game. The Ducks’ production department, led by Peter Uvalle, played a key role in rolling out the permanent solution, working alongside other technology partners such as Related Grey and Sexy Lites to deliver a special matchday atmosphere.
The Anaheim Ducks have already requested new interactive concepts for future matches, and Quince Imaging views the installation as a clear success, with plans to expand the system's capabilities and integrate SP into more venues and activations moving forward.
“This is just the beginning,” concludes Gazzillo. “The Ducks want this experience at every home game next season, and we’re excited to keep pushing what’s possible with SP.”
