MONTREAL, May 6, 1997 — Softimage Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp., today announced that it has worked with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. to produce a new Game Development Environment (GDE) for licensed PlayStation developers using Softimage® 3D. The new GDE provides tools for seamless import and export of modeling and animation data that makes it easier for developers to create stunning graphics with Softimage 3D that maintain their look on the PlayStation game console. The GDE also allows developers to exploit fully the graphics performance of the PlayStation game console.
“Our relationship with Sony Computer Entertainment demonstrates our commitment to providing the most powerful set of game development tools in the industry,” said Moshe Lichtman, president of Softimage. “By working directly with Sony Computer Entertainment to optimize Softimage 3D for the PlayStation game console, Softimage is offering PlayStation developers the most comprehensive, cost-effective solution for that powerful platform.”
Software engineers from Softimage and Sony Computer Entertainment worked closely to develop the new GDE, which includes tools for the import and export of geometry, hierarchies, camera, lights, materials, textures, animation and polygon rendering attributes to ease the production process. A polygon attribute editor allows designers to control PlayStation specific rendering attributes on a per-polygon basis, and an on-target viewer allows designers to quickly preview the contents of their Softimage scenes on the development hardware. The on-target viewer provides powerful camera manipulation modes, scene information and playback control. These tools help ensure that high-quality content created in Softimage 3D will maintain its rich, dynamic look when played back on PlayStation game consoles.
Sony Computer Entertainment’s comprehensive support for its developers allows the platform to host some of the world’s most popular game titles. “Sony Computer Entertainment has always made developer support a top priority,” said Shinichi Okamoto, vice president of research and development, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The new Softimage GDE will enhance development and help produce the blockbuster titles of the future.”
Psygnosis, one of Sony Computer Entertainment’s top game developers, uses Softimage to create the realistic lighting and intense environments found in a majority of its games, such as the soon-to-be-released action-packed shooter game Tenka.
“With the unique modeling, powerful animation and accurate lighting systems of Softimage, we are able to achieve a level of realism on the PlayStation that we never before thought possible,” said Neil Thompson, senior artist at Psygnosis.
Softimage 3D was used to create content for a variety of outstanding game titles for the PlayStation game console, a few of which are listed here:
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Time Commando (Adeline Software)
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Resident Evil (CAPCOM)
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Tobal No. 1 (Dream Factory)
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FIFA Soccer (Electronic Arts )
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NBA Live (Electronic Arts)
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Need for Speed (Electronic Arts)
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John Madden (Electronic Arts)
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Soul Blade (NAMCO)
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Tekken (NAMCO)
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Tekken2 (NAMCO)
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Tekken3 (NAMCO)
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Wipeout (Psygnosis)
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Krazy Ivan (Psygnosis)
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Destruction Derby 1 & 2 (Psygnosis)
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Assault Rigs (Psygnosis)
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Formula 1 (Psygnosis)
About Softimage
Founded in 1986, Softimage develops software for media-rich applications including video, film, interactive games and CD-ROM applications. Products include Softimage 3D (high-end animation), Softimage Eddie (compositing) and Softimage Toonz (2-D cel animation). Additional information about Softimage and Microsoft can be found via the Internet at (http://www.softimage.com/) and http://www.microsoft.com/ respectively.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Softimage is a registered trademark of Softimage Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.
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