CG Today - Gaming News

Innovative gaming company FunGoPlay.com counts on LightWave 10 software to build a groundbreaking 3D gaming experience for children

Fun Go Play - World's First Virtual Sports

An estimated one in three children in America today is overweight or obese, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. To help combat the growing epidemic, FunGoPlay.com has opened the world's first virtual sports theme park-an innovative online sports world that bridges the gap between online gaming and physical activity among children. FunGoPlay artists relied on NewTek LightWave™ 10 software to create and deliver everything from eye-catching imagery and 3D elements, to customizable assets and interactive environments.

The FunGoPlay (FGP) online world melds creativity, imagination, and technological innovation to deliver a fun, safe, and entertaining experience for members aged six to eleven. Members play games and tournaments in the online world, and with FGP Sports Gear, such as a soccer ball or flying disk with sophisticated electronics that track the length of play, players connect in the physical world to earn in-game rewards and achievements, such as medals, points, and power-ups.

Creating a Fun Production Pipeline

FunGoPlay assembled a winning team of 3D artists and a high-end toolset to create the groundbreaking gaming experience, at the heart of which is LightWave 3D® software. "The FunGoPlay team has used LightWave since its first day of production," explains FunGoPlay Animation Director, William Vaughan, who manages the 3D production activities, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation and rendering of all 3D assets and delivery. "LightWave has been an invaluable resource and I can say, without a doubt, that we wouldn't have made the launch deadline without it," he adds.

SpriteGen™, a powerful new utility in LightWave 10, automates the production of sprite animation images for real-time and game engines, which helped the artists at FunGoPlay streamline the production pipeline and meet the launch deadline by shaving days off of each week's rendering workload.

FunGoPlay Render Wrangler, Anthony Quinones agrees, noting that the SpriteGen tool enabled him to work more efficiently. "It has saved me weeks of unnecessary work by creating a sprite sheet right from LightWave that the programmers at FunGoPlay can use immediately. By not having to compile thousands of frames, it makes my job easier."

The FunGoPlay artists also relied on the new LightWave 10 Viewport Preview Renderer (VPR) for instant design feedback. "The new VPR function makes adjusting textures a snap, and allows the art director at FunGoPlay to look over my shoulder without having to wait to see how texture adjustments look," explains Thompson Conrad, Jr., FunGoPlay 3D artist. "It has dramatically lowered my texturing and rendering times, allowing the FunGoPlay team to move much faster through our workload."

EA Announces Battlefield 3 Novel

DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio, announced the publication of a novel based on Battlefield 3™, one of the most highly anticipated games of 2011. Battlefield 3: The Russian novel is written by the highly decorated ex-SAS operator and best-selling author of Bravo Two Zero, Andy McNab, with co-author Peter Grimsdale. The book tells the back-story of RU Special Forces operator Dima, one of the hero soldiers featured in the Battlefield 3 single-player campaign narrative. Having first-hand experience of the drama and trauma of real war, McNab and co-author Grimsdale bring an authentic voice and heart-wrenching perspective to the story. Like the game, the novel is charged with documentary intensity, high octane action, and ripped-from-the-headlines incursions. Battlefield 3: The Russian paints a picture of a soldier struggling to do whatever it takes to keep himself, and his platoon, alive. The modern military novel will be released alongside the game on Oct. 28, 2011 and will be published by Orion Publishing in Europe.

Catherine Now available in North American storesATLUS today announced that Catherine, their highly anticipated, critically acclaimed action-adventure/puzzle game for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system (PS3™) and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, is now available in stores across North America.  As a result of overwhelming demand, Catherine's release represents the largest launch in ATLUS history, eclipsing even that of the PS3 system Greatest Hit Demon's Souls.

Street Fighter™: The New Challengers, Based on Hit CAPCOM® Video Game Franchise, Set for September 2011 Release

Street Fighters - The New ChallengersPacific Entertainment Corporation announced a new distribution agreement with Eagle One Media for the distribution of DVDs and games. Headlining the slate of DVDs is Eagle One Media's latest animated comic video production, Street Fighter™: The New Challengers, which is due to be released on September 6, 2011.

Based on the CAPCOM® video game franchise and Udon Studio bestselling comic book series, this new 90-minute Street Fighter™ video feature will be released as a standalone DVD or offered in a special collector bundle package that includes CAPCOM's Street Fighter IV PC Game.

Call of Duty XP L.A 2011 CompetitionTesco Entertainment has announced its fantastic Call of Duty XP L.A. 2011 competition which will give the chance for one fan and a friend to fly to L.A. for the ultimate Call of Duty experience.

The Call of Duty XP L.A. 2011 event is every COD fans dream event. Taking place in Los Angeles, California on September 1st-3rd 2011 the event promises to be an action packed 3 day spectacle that will bring the Call of Duty experience to life. Spread over a 12-acre compound COD XP L.A. is certain to be like nothing you have ever seen before and will bring your gaming experience to a whole other level.