Feb. 17, 2003 - Paris, France

For Immediate Release -
Category : Interactive 3D Applications / Technology

VIRTOOLS™ Releases Virtools Dev 2.5 and Announces the New Virtools AI Pack

Paris, February 17, 2003 - Virtools™, market leader in the world of interactive 3D development solutions, announces the release of the last version of its flagship 3D development environment, Virtools™ Dev 2.5, as well as the upcoming release of the Virtools AI Pack, an artificial intelligence add-on pack for Dev 2.5.

Virtools™ Dev 2.5 strengthens Virtools’ leadership position in interactive 3D media production by enhancing the solutions' features and improving on Virtools' unique behavioral approach. This latest release provides new top-level functionalities, improved documentation, and numerous optimizations.

The new Virtools Scripting Language (VSL) complements the two existing development interfaces: the Schematic Editor (Dev’s intuitive graphic user interface), and the SDK (low level access for C++ programming). VSL provides an interface to the SDK directly in Dev, and comes complete with an intelligent coloring system, context-sensitive completion and function arguments display. VSL also offers full debugging mode with breakpoint support, watchable variables with value editing, and step-by-step debugging (also step into/out support).

Other new features such as the Variable Manager, multi-level undo and enhanced replacement functions make Virtools Dev 2.5 the decisive interactive 3D production tool – perfectly tailored to production needs for creating video games and virtual reality/simulation applications. Dev 2.5's release means robust development tools that secure Virtools’ leadership position in its core markets.

See other new Dev 2.5 features: http://www.virtools.com/solutions/products/virtools_dev_new2_5.asp



About the New Virtools™ AI Pack

Artificial Intelligence is a key factor to the success of any video game or simulation application. Yet such development remains complex and costly. Thanks to its versatile architecture, the Artificial Intelligence Pack for Virtools Dev offers a truly innovative, cost-effective solution enabling users to implement AI in a variety of different applications while improving the production process and significantly reducing cost and time-to-market.

The Virtools AI Pack is an add-on library of building blocks specifically geared to managing autonomous entities. The AI Pack lets development teams create applications with all the power of AI – directly in Virtools Dev's intuitive graphic interface.

"The Virtools AI Pack will let our clients create environments with ever-increasing realism. The user-friendliness of the AI Pack and the multitude of behaviors that can be attributed to entities, make for complex interactions that are quick and simple to implement – all to the benefit of players whose gaming experience will be significantly enriched," declared Stephane Dupasquier, VP Product Management at Virtools.

More information on the AI Pack: http://www.virtools.com/solutions/products/virtools_aipack.asp



About the Virtools™ Development Solution

The Virtools development package is currently one of the most comprehensive and competitive solutions available in terms of functionality and performance. Thanks to the different modules and add-on packs, Virtools Dev provides a comprehensive, cost-effective development platform: the Physics Pack to add physical behaviors to 3D objects, the Multiuser Pack to enable the creation of shared universes, the Virtools Behavioral Server to deploy interactive content dynamically, and the Virtools VR Pack to create and experience 3D worlds on multiple screens, using any input device, and run it all on a PC cluster. Soon the Virtools AI Pack will allow clients to create intelligent autonomous characters.

Virtools solutions are now widely used in complete productions from start to finish, and renowned companies like France Telecom, Electronic Arts, Microïds, Microsoft Ensemble Studios, Warner Bros Online, EDF, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft all use Virtools development solutions.

For more information, go to http://www.virtools.com/solutions/products/virtools_dev.asp

About Virtools™

Founded in 1993, Virtools™ enables Global 2000 companies and their integrators, as well as game studios, to develop and deploy 3D applications with game-like interactivity. Costs and timeframes are kept under control through a scalable set of software and server-based solutions that reduce the risks associated with developing interactive applications.

France Telecom are among the growing number companies that have benefited from Virtools technology. Using Virtools, clients reduce development costs and increase interactivity. Virtools software is used by online and offline game development studios such as: Electronic Arts, Microïds, Microsoft Ensemble Studios, Warner Bros Online, Blue Fang Games and Ubisoft.

More information at: http://www.virtools.com

Press contacts

Virtools SA
93 rue Vieille du Temple
75003 Paris
Tel: (+33) 1 42 71 46 86
Fax: (+33) 1 42 71 86 53
Email: info@virtools.com