The WAVE Report on Digital Media
3D --- Media Creation --- Shared Space
Published by 4th Wave, Inc.
Issue #729 10/23/97
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CONTENTS
Vertigo Technology Releases new Windows
3D Tools
(October 2)
Vertigo Technology Inc. announced Vertigo 3D HotTEXT, a 3D text and 3D path designer for Adobe Photoshop, and Vertigo 3D Words, a 3D text creator for Adobe Illustrator. Vertigo 3D HotTEXT is priced at $199.
http://www.vertigo3d.com/
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729.2 Software
RTIME, VRT And Superscape Offer Realtime,
Multiuser, 3d World Creation With No Programming
(October 14)
RTIME, Inc. and Virtual Reality Technologies GmbH (VRT) announced
a licensing agreement whereby VRT will embed RTIME's market leading
Interactive Networking Engine within its "Paraworld"
multiuser plug-in for Superscape's Viscape 3D Browser. Available
October 25, Paraworld enables developers and enthusiasts to build
realtime, multiuser, 3D worlds that run within the Viscape environment
with no programming required. Paraworld also simplifies the end-user
experience, allowing Internet users with Viscape to transparently
download the software and begin interacting in multiuser worlds
within minutes.
Paraworld is sold exclusively by Virtual Reality Technologies and priced on a per-concurrent-user basis, starting at $195 per concurrent user.
The first commercial implementation of Paraworld is Cy-Berlin,
a virtual, three-dimensional representation of Berlin. Sponsored
by the Senate of Berlin and the European Economic Community (EEC),
Cy-Berlin offers visitors the ability to enter and explore a virtual
representation of one of the most storied, cultural cities in
Europe, and to chat with people from all over the world. The Brandenburg
Gate is the first segment of the virtual city to be inhabited
by multiple avatars that can maneuver and communicate in realtime
over the Internet.
http://www.rtimeinc.com/
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Motion Factory Creates Actors with
Reasoning
(October 12)
The Motion Factory, is now shipping its Motivate Intelligent Digital
Actor System. This development tool enables game, edutainment,
multimedia and on-line developers to create interactive 3D content
that has rich characters with the intelligence and ability to
participate in storylines.
Motivate's behavior programming system enables the creation of sophisticated character behavior and game logic. Motivated 3D characters have the intelligence to respond autonomously to arbitrary stimuli in a dynamic environment, bringing game interactivity to new levels of realism. This system makes it easy for developers to "direct" their Intelligent Digital Actors to perform high level tasks, just as a traditional movie director instructs actors to perform certain roles.
The Motivate Intelligent Digital Actor System is available
directly from The Motion Factory with licensing on a per title
basis. Licensing fees are $50,000 per title that includes full
usage of the development tool for up to 10 users and includes
an unlimited runtime license for client distribution.
http://www.motion-factory.com
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TOPIX's Free Cloth Software a Big Hit!
TOPIX, a leading animation and design studio, has notified
WAVE that its free proprietary cloth plug-in for Softimage V3.7
was downloaded approximately 600 times in only three days after
its initial release on October 1st. The software features sphere
collision detection, and self-collision as well as controls for
friction viscous damping and spring damping. Handles can also
be designated at points on the model in order to "pull the
cloth around or attach it to other models.
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729.3 Out-of-Home Entertainment
Iwerks Entertainment Sells Five Large-Format
Theaters
(October 9)
Iwerks Entertainment Inc. has signed agreements for five new
large-format theaters, including one that will incorporate Iwerks'
new 15/70 at 48 frames per second (fps) projection technology.
The contracts total almost $9 million. These include:
Kansas City Museum and Union Station Assistance Corp. for an Iwerks 15/70 3-D Theater to open in Kansas City, Mo., in 1999;
COSI Columbus for an Iwerks 8/70 3-D Linear Loop Theater in Columbus, Ohio, in 1999;
New Mexico Museum of Natural History for an Iwerks 8/70 Linear Loop Theater to open in Albuquerque, N.M., in 1999;
Parque Tematico Playcenter, operating as Adventure Park, for an 8/70 Linear Loop 3-D Theater to open in Vinhedo, Brazil, in 1998 and
A contract worth more than $3.5 million with a Southern California entertainment giant for a major theme park attraction that will utilize Iwerks' new 15/70 projection technology at 48 fps on a unique inverted dome screen.
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Mountain World Entertainment Links with
Sony and Virtual World Entertainment
(October 9)
Mountain World Entertainment has signed Sony (Canada) LTD.
and Sony Computer Entertainment (Canada) as official sponsors
of MWE's flagship location in Whistler, BC. Sony will provide
MWE with audio/video equipment. Sony Computer Entertainment (Canada)
has also entered into an agreement to provide a "PlayStation
Zone" which is based on a bank of Sony PlayStation systems
that will be incorporated into a themed display.
Virtual World Entertainment Inc. has entered into an agreement to provide its "Tesla System" attraction allowing up to 8 players to compete head-to-head in computer generated environments. Mountain World - Whistler will be the only venue in Canada offering the latest version of the Virtual World attraction.
The company's flagship location is currently being constructed in Whistler, BC and is scheduled to open on Nov. 29, 1997.
David (Archie) Punch, 604/938-5898 - Contact
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Racing Ride by Illusion Opens at the Las
Vegas Sahara Hotel
(October 10)
The Virtual Reality Raceway by Illusion opens at Sahara Hotel
and Casino. Called 'Sahara Speedworld' this is part of Sahara's
$100 Million renovation.
The attraction features 24 Indy cars (3/4 actual size) moving on hydraulic platforms, fronted by 20-foot wrap-around screens projecting a virtual replica of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway or a Grand Prix on the Las Vegas Strip. The "drivers," racing against each other, are completely immersed into the virtual race as they feel and must react to more than 160 dynamics (such as a blown tire, low fuel or a bump from a competitor) using guidance from their own pit crews.
Sahara Speedworld, Sahara Hotel & Casino,2535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109
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Dave & Busters Continues to Expand
(October 13)
Within a month of announcing its plans to expand its dining
and entertainment concept abroad to the Pacific Rim and Europe,
Dave & Buster's Inc announced it is also moving toward expansion
into Mexico. Through an agreement with ECE S.A. de C.V., a restaurant/entertainment
licensing company in Mexico, D&B expects to open five restaurants
throughout the country over the next several years. The first
D&B is slated to open in Cancun in the third quarter of 1998,
followed by Mexico City.
Dave & Buster's initiated its first-ever licensing agreement with Bass PLC, one of the U.K.'s largest companies to launch a chain of Dave & Buster's throughout the United Kingdom, the first of which opened in Birmingham on May 22, 1997. Dave & Buster's Birmingham is the first of seven stores planned for the United Kingdom. With 11 locations already open in the United States, Dave & Buster's also plans to expand domestically, opening its next location in Denver by the end of 1997. Four additional domestic locations are slated to open in 1998.
Having ended its first full fiscal year as a public company on February 2, 1997, Dave & Buster's saw revenues increase 69 percent to $88.8 million, earning a net income of $6.3 million, a 117 percent increase over 1995. For the first 26 weeks of 1997 revenues were up 41% and net income rose 34% over the same comparable period in 1996.
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Midway Games Introduces Mortal Kombat
4 For Coin-Op
(October 16)
Midway Games Inc. has released Mortal Kombat 4, claimed to be the most realistic 3D fighting videogame. It is due in arcades now. Based on the Midway Zeus Chip, a 3D accelerator which can process over 1.2 million 4-sided polygons per second.
Mortal Kombat is claimed as one of the most popular entertainment franchises of the last 10 years. Over 4 billion quarters have been played in Mortal Kombat arcade games around the world. There have been over 15 million Mortal Kombat home games sold, and there are over 100 licensed Mortal Kombat products. The first Mortal Kombat movie earned over $100 million worldwide, and the sequel, Mortal Kombat Annihilation, is due for release from New Line Pictures this holiday season.
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The Virage Media Management System is two applications combined: the Video Cataloger and the Media Manager & Browser. The Video Cataloger automates much of the video logging process. It uses technology to intelligently watch, listen to and read a video stream, automatically extracting information such as keyframes, an audio profile, closed captioned text and time codes. This information is then stored in a database management system. The result of the logging process is a storyboard index that communicates the story line in an efficient manner. The Web-based Media Manager & Browser utilizes this information as a search and retrieval tool to quickly find content users. For example, users can look for a 10 second video clip from July 1995 of President Clinton talking about Medicare. Once they've found the specific video segment of interest, they can play the RealVideo on their desktop.
The Virage Media Management System is currently available on a limited basis to market leaders in the broadcast, advertising and consumer product and service industries. The product will be generally available in Q4, 1997. Pricing starts at $50,000 for an entry-level configuration. Both the Video Cataloger and the Media Manager & Browser are also available in configurations to meet the requirements of a large enterprise.
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Macromedia Releases Dynamic HTML Tool
and Flash Animation for RealSystem
(October 6)
Dreamweaver is a visual Web authoring tool that supports
Dynamic HTML and is expected to ship in December. A beta version
of the software can be downloaded from the Macromedia Web site.
Windows and Macintosh PowerPC versions are available. Suggested
retail price is $499 after an introductory price of $299 which
expires in March 1998.
Flash Animation is now native in RealSystem 5.0. Flash Animation
joins RealAudio, RealVideo in Streaming Media System by RealNetworks.
RealSystem is a client-server streaming media solution that includes
RealPlayers, RealServers and publishing tools.
http://www.macromedia.com/
Autodesk Releases Planix Home Designer
3D Deluxe
(October 13)
Autodesk Inc. is shipping Planix Home Designer 3D Deluxe, which allows Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 users to create residential floor plans similar to professionals. The product is a renamed and upgraded version of Planix Home Design Suite 3D. Planix Home Designer 3D Deluxe is the only product in its category that offers smart space planning, as many as four popular cabinet styles, the ability to search for floor plans, and the capability to create 3D virtual reality walk-through tours.
The Planix Home Designer 3D Deluxe software helps consumer's design entire house plans with technical accuracy. Once the homebuilder has generated a technical drawing of the new home, then Autodesk's Picture This Home! software can be used to help the homeowner visualize the finished project interior by creating a detailed plan, decorating scheme and budget for specific rooms.
Planix Home Designer 3D Deluxe is a tool for the average person who wants to design the floor plan for a new home or make an addition to an existing residence. Through a new feature called "Smart Space" planning, the product helps users fit the desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms into a particular sized home. The new Planix Home Designer 3D Deluxe uses the same guidelines as professional architects would use. The software also allocates all the space, freeing the user to design the complete floor plan.
Planix Home Designer 3D Deluxe is available immediately in the U.S. and Canada at an estimated street price of US$59.95. Current users of any Planix Home product can upgrade for US$39.95 by calling Autodesk Personal Solutions Group at (800)231-8574.
http://www.planix3d.com
/
http://www.autodesk.com/
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Quantum3D and Datapath offer Obsidian3DS
Bundle
(October7)
Quantum3D and Datapath/RealiMation have announced the Obsidian3DS hardware/software bundle. Priced at $695, the bundle includes the Obsidian 50-4440, based on the 3Dfx Voodoo chip set, and RealiStorm realtime visualization plug-in software from Datapath, Ltd. The Obsidian3DS bundle enables the Obsidian3DS to act as a realtime rendering co-processor that works within 3D design applications to provide realtime visualization of their texture mapped 3D designs. This product works with 3D Studio MAX, AutoCAD, and MicroStation.
The bundle is available from authorized AutoCAD, MicroStation, and 3D Studio MAX dealers worldwide. The product may also be ordered directly from Quantum3D. In Europe and Africa, Datapath, Ltd. distributes the Obsidian3DS bundle; and in Japan, Bussan Micro distributes the Obsidian 3DS. Certified educational end users may order the product from Thomas Paton & Associates. Links to resellers and dealers that carry the Obsidian3DS will be featured on both the Quantum3D and Datapath websites.
http://www.datapath.com/
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729.8 Markets
Zona Predicts Java Market at $58m in
1997
(October 14)
Zona Research, an IntelliQuest company, released its report, Java: Markets, Opportunities, and Trends which examines the key issues, trends, and opportunities represented by Java in the Internet and Intranet industries. The report finds the Java market will total over $58 million in 1997 and more than triple by the year 2000, reaching nearly $180 million. The report presents the results of a survey of more than 275 medium and large corporations that either use or plan to use Java, and their current and future plans for Java are analyzed.
The report is available for $1,795.
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Online Ad Spending Tops $200M In 2Q
(October 8)
Inter@ctive Week Online Reports that online Web advertising spending totaled $214.4 million during the second quarter, logging an increase of 66 percent from the first three months of the year. The second-quarter performance brought ad revenue for the first half of the year to $343.9 million, already surpassing the $267 million in revenue reported during all of 1996, according to the survey released yesterday by the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB). The advertising study, compiled for the IAB by the Coopers & Lybrand accounting firm, includes data from more than 200 Internet publishers estimated to represent more than 90 percent of the industry's total advertising revenue.
The Internet Advertising Bureau can be reached at
Evans & Sutherland Invests in Silicon Light Machines
(October 16)
Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. and Silicon Light Machines of Sunnyvale, Calif. announced that E&S has invested $3.5 million in the privately held company. The investment is intended to help Silicon Light Machines further develop and commercialize its patented digital, high-resolution display technology.
Silicon Light Machines is developing a reflective display technology called Grating Light Valve technology (GLV). This technology is based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques and simple optical principles that leverage the wavelike properties of light. Movable ribbon structures are formed on the surface of a silicon wafer using traditional semiconductor manufacturing lines to create high-performance devices that are small and inexpensive. More cost effective than current display technologies, GLV technology offers superior resolution and contrast for applications in markets such as projection display, portable personal viewers, and instrumentation. These advantages of GLV technology are expected to benefit display systems used by E&S in government and commercial simulation systems, entertainment, and education applications.
http://www.siliconlight.com
http://www.es.com
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VDONet Refocuses
(October 14)
VDOnet Corporation announced that it is refocusing its business strategy. The company, which has in the past few months been broadening its offerings to include complete video solutions to the premium service provider market, will re-focus its efforts on its baseline OEM (original equipment manufacturer) products, core technologies, and the support of major customers, such as NTT, Gilat Satellite Services, US Robotics, and others.
"Dramatic changes in the streaming video market over the past few months have changed the dynamics of our business," said Asaf Mohr, president and CEO of VDOnet. "It became increasingly clear that the business interests of our key customers and of the company would best be served by our concentrating fully on our core technology and providing the best possible service to a specific set of large customers." In response to these market changes, explained Mohr, the company has elected to significantly scale down its Cambridge, MA operations which had been founded earlier this year to specifically develop the premium service provider market. The company's main operations will continue in California, Israel, and Japan. Cambridge-based Marty Falaro, who has been VDOnet's president and CEO since early this year, has left the company.
The major thrust of VDOnet's activities will be on developing various video networking applications for OEM markets. These applications will combine VDOnet's VDOPhone software video conferencing technology and VDOLive video broadcasting technology. To date, the VDOPhone is the software video conferencing solution in use by many PC peripheral OEMs. VDOLive -- the company's product that enables web users with connections ranging from low-speed dial-up to 512 kbps connections to view video clips and live events in real time -- will also be available to key partners. The company will also direct resources toward continued evolution of its core technology in areas such as MPEG 4 development.
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Blockbuster Exist PC Business
(October 15)
According to Computer Retail Week, Blockbuster Entertainment, a unit of Viacom Inc., will be returning to its video-rental roots after setbacks at its traditional stores. It has exited the computer business and shuttered its PC Upgrades stores.
Two PC Upgrades stores in the Cincinnati area have been closed since September's end, according to a recording on the locations' answering machines.
Officials formerly associated with Blockbuster's efforts in PC products were let go at month's end. A 104-store test of a 24-foot rack of PC software and accessories in Chicago-area Blockbuster Video stores was discontinued this month, and the merchandise was returned to a central distribution center.
http://www.crw.com
http://www.blockbuster.com
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Tseng Labs Restructures - A 3D Memory Hickup
(October 8)
Tseng Labs, Inc. will initiate a corporate restructuring designed to sustain the Company's operations through the current technology transition period, protect capital resources and improve long-term shareholder value. The company will reduce its staff by approximately 20 - 30%. Included in the staff reduction are primarily non-technical and administrative personnel. The company will take a one-time charge in the range of $500,000 to $1 million in the fourth quarter of 1997 primarily for related severance and other costs.
The Company noted that its ET6300 3D graphics accelerator, which has yet to be commercialized, was designed to utilize 3.3 volt MDRAM memory. The Company's ET6000 and ET6100 2D graphics accelerator chips, which are currently available, utilize 5 volt MDRAM which is supplied by MoSys, Inc. which is not the initial supplier of the 3.3 volt MDRAM memory for the ET6300. Recent discussions by the company with MDRAM manufacturers have raised serious concerns regarding the potential of limited supply and/or lack of price competitiveness of 3.3 volt MDRAM memory, not the 5 volt MDRAM memory currently being utilized by the ET6000 and ET6100. Accordingly, until the aforementioned concerns surrounding 3.3 volt MDRAM memory are resolved the Company has not as yet decided whether to complete the commercialization of its ET6300. If the Company elects to move forward with the commercialization of the ET6300, it is anticipated that production deliveries would begin in early 1998. The Company cautioned that if it decides to move forward on this plan, it currently does not expect that profits generated from the sales of the ET6300 will be sufficient to return the Company to profitable operations. Tseng is currently reviewing future product plans and will update its shareholders during the current quarter.
Tseng announced that it has retained Broadview Associates to explore strategic alternatives for the Company. The Company believes it is prudent to evaluate opportunities to enhance its competitive position in the technology marketplace and/or to best utilize its strong balance sheet. In this regard, the Company currently has more than $26 million in cash and no debt.
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GT Interactive to Acquire MicroProse
(October 5)
GT Interactive will change its name to GT Interactive Software Corp. when it acquires MicroProse, Inc., formerly Spectrum HoloByte. Under the terms of the agreement, MicroProse shareholders will receive 0.700 shares of GT Interactive common stock for each MicroProse common share. Based upon the closing price of GT Interactive stock on October 3, 1997, the transaction, which is structured as a tax-free pooling-of-interests, would be valued at $8.62 for each MicroProse common share for a total transaction value of approximately $250 million. The transaction, which has been approved unanimously by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is subject to GT Interactive and MicroProse shareholder and customary regulatory approvals. It is expected that the transaction will be completed by the end of the year.
Following the acquisition, the combined company would have total 1997 revenues in excess of $500 million. It is expected that more than 75% of GT Interactive's total revenues will come from its higher margin publishing business, with the remainder derived from its mass merchant distribution operation. It is expected that the transaction will be non-dilutive to GT Interactive's earnings in 1998.
http://www.gtinteractive.com
http://www.microprose.com
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GT Interactive Completes Acquisition Of SingleTrac
(October 17)
GT Interactive Software Corp. has completed its acquisition of SingleTrac Entertainment Technologies, Inc., a Salt Lake City-based entertainment software developer, in a $16 million transaction. Total consideration included approximately $5 million of cash and $11 million of GT common stock.
SingleTrac's 70 employees - 60 of whom are in product development -- remain with the company, including Michael Ryder, president and chief executive officer; Todd Kelly, executive vice president; and Michael Bartholomew, vice president and chief technical officer.
SingleTrac's products WarHawk, Twisted Metal, Twisted Metal 2, and Jet Moto averaged more than 400,000 units per title.
SingleTrac is developing approximately three to four titles per year for both next-generation video game systems and PCs. The first SingleTrac title to be published by GT Interactive next month will be Critical Depth, a underwater 3-D action PlayStation game
http://www.singletrac.com
http://www.gtinteractive.com
Casio Announces A-20 CASSIOPEIA HPC Which Uses Microsoft Windows CE 2.0 (October 13)
Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan in conjunction with Casio, Inc., Dover, NJ, announced the release of a new Handheld PC (HPC) called CASSIOPEIA A-20. The A-20 will be available at retail stores in December. Full specifications and features will be released at COMDEX in Las Vegas in November. Pricing will also be released then.
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Intergraph Releases the Low Cost TD-225
with 3D Graphics
(October 8)
Intergraph Computer Systems announced its 300 MHz Pentium II based TD-225 PC. With a single 300 MHz Pentium II processor and 512K cache, 16MB RAM, 1.7 GB disk, Windows 95, SBE, and I3D100 preloaded (Intergraph's Intense 3D 100 based on Rendition Verite V1000 Chip) prices begin at $1,969. The TD-225 with dual 300 MHz Pentium II processors with 512K cache each, 32 MB RAM, 1.7 GB disk, Matrox Millennium II with 4MB, SBE, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 preloaded starts at $3,169. Included is the Intense 3D Pro 2200 graphics accelerator.
http://www.intergraph.com/
http://www.intergraph.com/ics
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