It looks like programming for complex real-time character animations just got a little easier, thanks to Mystic Game Development's
EMotion FX 3.5 SDK release for the PS3. MysticGD's website shows a laundry list of
current clients using EMotion FX, such as
Sigil Games Online, Mythic and Piranha Bytes. The specs on the newest release are quite technical but a few highlights include "tight integration with 3D Studio Max and Maya," with "high quality automatic lip-sync generation" and "multiprocessor and multicore support." John van der Burg, Development Director at MysticGD says clients have been, "wanting next-generation performance, memory efficiency and cross-platform support, as well as clear focus on reducing the artist effort required to deliver high-quality next-gen character content in their games."
New toolsets are certainly a welcome addition for PS3 programmers. Anything that makes their job easier and allows us full-on visual eye candy is a good thing, right? Lets hope this leads to exciting breakthroughs for those sometimes complicated port jobs.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-25-2007 @ 5:48PM
Real Gambler said...
Cool, another engine tweaked for the PS3. Things are really shaping up.
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7-25-2007 @ 6:59PM
ymmv said...
I wonder if they have links with Guerilla Games, another Dutch PS3 developer.
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7-25-2007 @ 8:35PM
never$$hort said...
I can feel the tsunami building!! PS3 is definately going to make a name for itself in 2008. Everyone is just beginning to grasp what the system is actually capable of and I think thats exciting.
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7-25-2007 @ 10:13PM
John said...
I think it's significant to see middleware appearing again. As stated, this is better for artists, but programmers too, so it leaves some breathing space to work more stuff smoothly into whatever development time you've been given.
This is the kind of stuff that we will see the effects of in fall-to-holiday 2008.
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7-26-2007 @ 11:00AM
Andy said...
This is great news...I think. I don't really know how this will affect PS3 games but I can only be for the better.
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