Nichimen Graphics and Alias Wavefront Announce Collaborative Agreement
Jul 24, 1998, 01:00 ET from Alias|Wavefront
ORLANDO, Fla., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Alias|Wavefront, a subsidiary of
Silicon Graphics, Inc. (NYSE: SGI), Nichimen Graphics Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)
and Nichimen Graphics Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), today jointly announced
their strategic plans to provide Nichimen's Game Exchange 2.0 (GE2) to the
interactive and game development market. This collaboration will be the basis
for further joint developments aimed at providing ground breaking solutions
for the interactive and game industry.
Nichimen Graphics Inc. and Nichimen Graphics Corp. (collectively called
Nichimen) are the leaders in 3D graphics software for the interactive content
market. Nichimen has granted to Alias|Wavefront a world wide distribution
license for GE2, with the exception of Japan. GE2 will be distributed along
with Maya(TM), Alias|Wavefront's flagship 3D software product. Distribution
of GE2 in Japan will remain with NGC, who is one of the most successful
distributors of both Alias|Wavefront and Nichimen products in this region.
GE2 is an advanced software development tool for programmers working with
3D interactive content. Developed with the extensive experience and with
accumulated technology of Nichimen, GE2 consists of a well-documented super
file format, exporters and C++ libraries to promote rapid development of
interactive titles. The GE2 super file format is a well defined, and flexible
format reflecting not only current requirements from the industry, but is also
extensive enough to cater to future demands.
The GE2 exporter supports all major 3D file formats and game engines, such
as HMD of Sony Computer Entertainment, Niff of Nintendo, and Quake(TM) II of
ID Software. Consequently, it allows a developer to instantly write out 3D
data to the desired platform with minimum time and effort. Combined with the
C++ libraries, GE2 allows programmers to manipulate and tailor the data with
maximum flexibility enabling more development options to be explored within a
short production schedule.
"Japanese customers have been using Nichimen N-World and PowerAnimator
together as complementary tools for many years," said Mr. Yukio Sakauye,
president of NGC. "The need to have data exchange tools between both packages
has been requested by many customers. Now it will be there." Pinakin
Katbamna, director of sales and marketing at NGI, added: "In the fiercely
competitive game development market, we are finding that programmers are
rapidly adopting Game Exchange as the development API of choice. For many
developers who rely on N-World and Maya it is a real bonus to have this
programming development tool work in the same effective way for both packages.
Indeed, the combination of Mirai, Maya and Game Exchange will be truly
formidable and will provide a high rate of production that has never been seen
in this industry before."
"We're very excited to be extending our successful Japan-based
relationship with Nichimen to a global basis," said Peter Goldie, head of
Market Development for Alias|Wavefront. "Alias|Wavefront products were used
in every one of the top 10 selling video game titles last year, clearly
highlighting the success that our games customers are having. Nichimen is
highly regarded in the industry for having the best games translator
technology -- and making GE2 available for use with Maya will be of great
benefit to our games and interactive customers."
Pricing and Availability
Game Exchange 2.0 for Maya is planned to ship in the fall of 1998 and will
be priced the same as currently from Nichimen Graphics, $4,000. [Price is
indicated in US funds and will vary outside of the US].
Nichimen Graphics is a leading supplier of 3D graphics software for game
development and interactive entertainment. Nichimen Graphics focuses its
efforts on supporting the interactive content market, providing developers
with the industry's most open system and leading-edge modeling and animation
technology with unparalleled customer support. The company's suite of
packages is truly integrated, dramatically simplifying game content
generation. Nichimen Graphics Inc. is owned by Nichimen Corporation of Japan,
a $62.5 billion trading company. For additional information, visit Nichimen's
Web site, at www.nichimen.com. Alias|Wavefront provides artists with advanced
computer graphics software that helps unleash the power of their creativity.
As the world's leading innovator of 2D and 3D graphics technology,
Alias|Wavefront develops software for the film and video, games, interactive
media, industrial design and visualization markets.
With headquarters in Toronto, Alias|Wavefront is a wholly owned,
independent software subsidiary of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Alias|Wavefront has
worldwide distribution via a network of Channel Partners and sales offices
located in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information on products,
readers can access Alias|Wavefront's website at www.aw.sgi.com. Readers in
North America can also call 800-447-2542 for the location of the nearest sales
office or Channel Partner in their area.
NOTE: Alias is a registered trademark, and Alias|Wavefront, the
Alias|Wavefront logo, and PowerAnimator are trademarks of Alias|Wavefront, a
division of Silicon Graphics Limited. Maya and the Maya logo are trademarks
of Silicon Graphics, Inc. and exclusively used by Alias|Wavefront, a division
of Silicon Graphics Limited. Silicon Graphics and the Silicon Graphics logo
are registered trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Quake is a trademark of
ID software. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners. Alias|Wavefront, 210 King Street East, Toronto, Canada, M5A 1J7 Tel:
416-362-9181, FAX: 416-369-6140.
SOURCE Alias|Wavefront
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