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NEWS: SoftKinetic and TransGaming Bring Gesture-based Gaming to GameTree TV
Gesture-Based Game Technology for Set-top Boxes and Connected Consumer Electronic Devices to Debut at CES 2011
BRUSSELS and TORONTO – January 5, 2011 – SoftKinetic, the leading 3D gesture recognition software and solution provider, and TransGaming Inc. (TSX-V: TNG), today announced their collaboration to bring gesture-based video games to TransGaming’s on-demand gaming platform, GameTree TV. TransGaming’s video game enablement technology, combined with SoftKinetic’s iisu™ (“The Interface is You”) gesture recognition software, provides consumers with an innovative experience previously only available on specialized video game consoles. The integration of iisu with the GameTree TV SDK toolkit will provide game developers the ability to create and distribute their interactive gesture-controlled content through the GameTree TV Platform, reaching a global audience of millions. This new gesture-based solution will be demonstrated at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from January 6–9 in Las Vegas, USA.
The GameTree TV Platform is the premier on-demand video game solution for consumers, optimized for the next generation of set-top boxes and connected consumer electronics (CE) devices. GameTree TV delivers a comprehensive catalog of video games to consumers right in the comfort of their living rooms through a variety of flexible transaction and pricing models. The availability of gesture-based games will allow GameTree TV customers to enjoy an unparalleled interactive gaming experience through their next generation set-top box or CE devices, without the need to invest in a dedicated gaming system. GameTree TV is the only next generation on-demand video game platform for set-top boxes and connected CE devices to feature gesture based video game capabilities.
In addition to the compelling value add for consumers that gesture-based games offer, Managed Service Operators and CE device manufacturers (OEMs) can enhance their overall entertainment portfolio with the addition of GameTree TV. The Platform offers MSOs and OEMs new revenue streams that strengthen their consumer value proposition by catering to the broad family demographics represented in their customer base and improves the marketability of their product.
“Gesture-based gaming represents the next true innovation in video game interactivity”, commented Vikas Gupta, CEO and President of TransGaming. “Our ability to offer games that allow the player to be the controller on a set-top box or CE device is a demonstration of the combined expertise of SoftKinetic and TransGaming, and truly reflects the comprehensive capabilities of the GameTree TV Platform.”
iisu™ is the de facto standard in gesture recognition middleware, with over seven years of research and development behind its creation. Compatible with Adobe Flash, Unity 3D and 3DVIA Virtools development environments, its uses include video game projects as well as many other non-gaming markets including fitness, senior rehabilitation and e-learning. The versatile nature of iisu™ makes it highly compelling for developers interested in multi-platform compatibility (e.g., PC, console, set-top boxes) that allows apps to be released on Windows or Linux.
“We have been very impressed by the TransGaming team and its technologies for quite some time,” said Michel Tombroff, CEO, SoftKinetic. “The combination of our iisu gesture-recognition software and the GameTree TV platform will provide not only an enhanced experience for consumers but also a great distribution channel for our game and application developers.”
A demonstration of the gesture-based gaming experience will be available during CES at both the Intel® Consumer Electronics Network private meeting room (Central Hall #7153) and SoftKinetic’s private meeting room (South Hall MP 25166). For business appointments, please contact Virgile Delporte at SoftKinetic, vde@softkinetic.com or Paul Nowosad at TransGaming, paul.nowosad@transgaming.com. For press appointments, please contact Wendy Beasley at TriplePoint, wbeasley@triplepointpr.com.
About SoftKinetic
SoftKinetic is the leading provider of natural interfaces that transform the way people interact with the digital world. SoftKinetic enables a fully immersive, transparent and intuitive user experience by providing a 3D real-time gesture recognition middleware to interactive digital entertainment, consumer electronics, health care and serious games companies. SoftKinetic, iisu, and Interface Is You are trademarks or registered trademarks of SoftKinetic S.A. For more information on SoftKinetic please visit www.softkinetic.com.
About TransGaming, Inc.
TransGaming, Inc. (TSX-V: TNG), is a leader in the development of unique software products that facilitate the deployment and distribution of games across multiple platforms. TransGaming's portability technologies significantly reduce the time-to-market for and costs associated with multi-platform releases of games. TransGaming works with many of the industry's leading developers and publishers to enable and distribute their games for the Mac and Linux/CE platforms, and currently markets products under: Cider (Mac Gaming Technology), GameTree (Game Publishing & Distribution Platforms), Cedega (Linux Gaming Technology), and SwiftShader (Graphics Rendering). TransGaming is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, maintains an R&D center in Ottawa, Canada, and has a new subsidiary – TransGaming Digital Home in Atlanta, GA. To learn more about TransGaming visit www.transgaming.com.