Lionhead Studios Integrates SOFTIMAGE|XSI into their Game Development Pipeline

Tewksbury, MA, May 2, 2005 – Avid Technology, Inc. today announced that U.K.-based Lionhead Studios – creator of the Fable and Black & White game franchises – is adopting SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® software as the standard 3-D art and animation tool for future development projects. Artists at Lionhead plan to use SOFTIMAGE|XSI software to create and animate the characters, props and environments for their next generation of PC and console games. The transition to Softimage is set to take place in multiple phases starting next month.


“After a thorough comparison with other 3-D packages, it was clear that SOFTIMAGE|XSI was the ideal solution for our artists. It’s an elegant combination of comprehensive, flexible tools for modeling, texturing and animation, and we are also delighted with the customizability and character building solutions,” said Andrew Lindsay, senior animator and head of central art technology team for Lionhead Studios. “Due to Softimage’s focus on solving real-world production issues, our team will be able to use XSI as the primary digital content creation package for our pipeline, instead of a combination of several other packages.”

Gareth Morgan, senior product manager for Softimage, added, “Lionhead Studios is an industry pioneer in creating cutting edge simulations and unique, innovative role-playing games, and we’re excited that they’ve selected SOFTIMAGE|XSI as their tool of choice for character and content creation. The team at Lionhead is also working with us on further enhancing the product, and we’re looking forward to a strong, collaborative relationship that will help us both meet the demands of the next generation of hardware.”

With the implementation of SOFTIMAGE|XSI v4.2 into their game pipeline, Lionhead Studios joins a growing list of companies that are adopting Softimage’s advanced technology to meet the demand for greater sophistication in game content. SOFTIMAGE|XSI 4.2 software includes features like robust normal map generation to simplify the creation of sophisticated effects in real time, plus the fastest Subdivision Surfaces in the industry and a scalable architecture designed to accommodate large production teams.

About SOFTIMAGE|XSI

SOFTIMAGE|XSI is a complete 3-D modeling and animation solution for film, broadcast, post and interactive entertainment industries. SOFTIMAGE|XSI software is the creative engine behind the Avid Computer Graphics toolset, and an integral player in Avid’s Make, Manage and Move Media™ strategy. It is the industry’s first 3D nonlinear production environment providing artists the freedom to make professional computer graphics, 3D animation, and visual effects – from major motion pictures to CG features and commercials, to video games. Softimage is proud to count amongst its customers: Omation Studios, R!OT, The Mill, Stan Winston Studios, Pixel Liberation Front, La Maison, Hybride, Janimation, Quiet Man, PSYOP, Cinepix and Nerd Corps. For more information about SOFTIMAGE|XSI visit www.softimage.com. For more information about Avid, visit www.avid.com.

About Lionhead Studios

Lionhead Studios is based in Guildford, Great Britain and was founded in 1997. The company’s first game Black & White PC was released in 2001 and worldwide sales are now top over 2 million copies. Its second game Fable for Xbox was released in 2004 and sales are approaching the 1.5 million mark. The company currently has four other products currently under development and employs over 200 people.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively, and creatively. For more information about the company’s Oscarâ, Grammyâ, and Emmyâ award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com.


© 2005 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, Film Composer, Media Composer, Protools, Adrenaline and Avid Unity are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Avid received an Oscar statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. Digidesign, Avid’s audio division, received an Oscar statuette representing the 2003 Scientific and Technical Award for the design, development, and implementation of its Pro Tools® digital audio workstation. Alienbrain is a trademark of NXN Software GmbH in the United States and/or other countries. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Jennifer Goldfinch

Softimage

Avid Technology, Inc.

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