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| Engenuity's AI.implant Brings Next-Gen Artificial Intelligence to Vivendi Games |
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High Moon Studios the first Sierra Entertainment studio to standardize on Engenuity Technologies' AI.implant tools and middleware for next-gen gaming titles MONTREAL – July 26, 2006 – Engenuity Technologies Inc. [“Engenuity” or the “Company”] [TSX: EGY], a global leader in providing artificial intelligence tools and middleware for games, animation and simulation, today announced that Vivendi Games has signed a contract licensing AI.implant™, Engenuity’s next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) solution. Vivendi Games, a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment, has selected AI.implant as the preferred artificial intelligence solution across all of their studios. “We chose AI.implant as the preferred AI solution at Vivendi Games because Engenuity understands the demands of the next-gen games pipeline, and has developed a product that addresses the market’s need for more intense and realistic in-game AI,” said Peter Della Penna, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Worldwide Studios, Vivendi Games “Engenuity demonstrated unparalleled support and commitment to our project roadmap throughout the evaluation process, and we’re anticipating a strong, fruitful partnership over the long term.” U.S.-based High Moon Studios, developer of the critically acclaimed “Darkwatch,” is the first Sierra Entertainment studio to standardize on AI.implant. High Moon Studios has been up and running on AI.implant since the evaluation process began in February 2006. “Engenuity’s development process closely resembles our use of Agile Game Development methodology, and during the evaluation process we could see strong synergies between our development philosophies,” said Della Penna “In AI.implant, we have found the technology that will help us save time and money, while consistently delivering a premium gaming experience to players.” AI.implant version 4.5 provides an intuitive authoring environment that will allow Vivendi Games developers to create variable and complex artificial intelligence behaviors across all major next-generation game platforms, including “PLAYSTATION®3” and Microsoft® Xbox® 360. As well, AI.implant’s seamless integration with the Unreal 3 game engine from Epic will help VU Games improve workflow by enabling its developers and designers to work with a familiar platform. Using AI.implant, even non-programmers can rapidly create realistic, real-time character and crowd behaviors, such as urban milling, navigation, panicking and rioting. These advanced crowd simulation capabilities enable Vivendi Games to deliver increasingly cinematic experiences to gaming audiences in a fraction of the time it would take to hand-code crowd scenes. “We’re thrilled Vivendi Games has chosen Engenuity as its preferred vendor for artificial intelligence software,” said Dr. Paul Kruszewski, chief technology officer at Engenuity and AI.implant founder. “Increasingly, players are demanding a gaming experience that is both cinematic and dynamic, and AI.implant’s heritage as a film-based AI tool as well as our deep knowledge of games pipelines will provide a winning combination to Vivendi Games’ developers and designers.” For more information, please visit www.ai-implant.com. -30- About Engenuity Technologies Inc. Engenuity Technologies Inc. (TSX: EGY) is a global leader in visualization and simulation software solutions for the aerospace, defense, automotive, games and entertainment markets. The company’s products and services are currently used by more than 800 customers in 40 countries, including many of the world’s largest organizations. Engenuity has offices and distributors throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. www.engenuitytech.com ©2006 Engenuity Technologies Inc. Engenuity, the Engenuity logo, and AI.implant are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Engenuity Technologies Inc. in Canada and/or other countries. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. About Vivendi Games Vivendi Games (www.vivendigames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online (MMO) games category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games’ two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment®, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft®, Diablo®, StarCraft®, and Warcraft®; and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra is the owner of Crash Bandicoot®, Spyro The Dragon®, Empire Earth®, SWAT®, Leisure Suit Larry™, and Ground Control®. Vivendi Games also includes Vivendi Mobile Games and Sierra Online divisions. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries. About High Moon Studios High Moon Studios, a studio of Sierra Entertainment, is an award-winning video game studio recognized for its development accomplishments as well as its innovative use of Agile and Scrum Methodology for game development. Operating out of a state-of-the-art facility located in the coastal city of Carlsbad in San Diego County, California, the company is currently working on licensed and original game projects for next-generation consoles. High Moon’s debut game title is the hit first-person shooter, "Darkwatch.” For more information, please visit www.highmoonstudios.com. For more information, contact: Donna Araujo High Road Communications T: 416-644-2283 E: daraujo@highroad.com |