Character Animation Middleware Helps to Enable Complex Flying, Swimming and Climbing MovesSAN RAFAEL, Calif., Dec 15, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) has announced that Autodesk
HumanIK character animation middleware was tightly integrated into
Ubisoft's proprietary game engine for the development of "Assassin's
Creed II." Released November 17, the title sold over 1.6 million
units worldwide in its first week on the shelf.
HumanIK animation middleware is a runtime solution for creating
believable, interactive character animation for games. Ubisoft first
used the software on the original "Assassin's Creed" title. As an
integrated part of Ubisoft's game engine on "Assassin's Creed II,"
HumanIK contributed to the realization of enticing game-play innovations
such as climbing, flying and interactions with dynamic nonplayer
characters (NPCs).
"One of the most important aspects of the 'Assassin's Creed II' game
play is the ability for characters to climb. HumanIK allowed us to build
new climbing moves into the game and iterate them very quickly without
ever having to worry about the quality of the IK solving," explained
James Therien, lead programmer, Assassin's Creed II, Ubisoft. "Having a
package like HumanIK allowed us to address our IK problems quickly
without sacrificing results or performance."
In creating a sequel to its award-winning "Assassin's Creed" franchise,
Ubisoft sought unique ways to improve and build upon the original.
Having more interesting and diverse characters, greater interaction with
NPCs and a broader range of moves, including flying and complex climbing
for NPCs were core differentiators facilitated in part by the
integration of HumanIK middleware.
Ubisoft has been a longtime user of Autodesk solutions, tapping Autodesk
3ds Max and Autodesk
MotionBuilder software, in addition to HumanIK, as key creative
tools for its titles. "3ds Max is our main content creation package.
MotionBuilder was used to clean up all of the motion-capture performance
data that was used extensively in cut scenes and fight sequences," said
Therien.
About "Assassin's Creed II"
"Assassin's Creed II" invites players to become Ezio, a privileged young
noble in Renaissance Italy who's been betrayed by the rival ruling
families of Italy. Ezio's quest for vengeance plunges players into a
captivating and epic story that offers more variety in missions,
surprising and engaging new game play elements, diverse weapons,
incredible depth and a profound character progression that appeals to
fans of the original game, and entices players new to the brand.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D
design, engineering and entertainment software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment
markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk
continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software
to help customers experience their ideas digitally before they are
built. Fortune 100 companies -- as well as the last 14 Academy Award
winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software
tools to design, visualize and simulate their ideas to save time and
money, enhance quality and foster innovation for competitive advantage.
For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, HumanIK, MotionBuilder and 3ds Max are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries
and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a
registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their
respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product
offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not
responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in
this document.
© 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.
for Autodesk, Inc.
Brittany Bonhomme, 416-874-8798
brittany.bonhomme@autodesk.com
or
Karen Raz, 310-450-1482
karen@razpr.com
