Softimage at GDC 2008

Softimage attends Game Developers Conference 2008—hosting SOFTIMAGE|XSI software technology demonstrations, an educator’s conference and XSI student user event

MONTREAL,  Quebec – February  13, 2008 — Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., today announced its plans for Game Developer Conference 2008 (February 18-22) in San Francisco, Calif. Answering demand from customers and partners for advanced training and education opportunities in 3D game and visual effects production, Softimage will host an Education Conference for instructors on Wednesday, February 20th, with special game industry guest presenters Carey Chico of Pandemic Studios, and Michael Endres, Art Director from Crytek. Softimage is also presenting a Student User event on Wednesday evening, February 20th, featuring a panel of professional 3D industry veterans. Qualified student attendees will receive a FREE academic license of SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® software.

Winner of the Game Developer Magazine 2007 FRONT LINE Award for “Best Art Tool,” Softimage will be present on the GDC show floor, giving technology demonstrations of its SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3D software at partner booths, and will host VIP customer appointments in meeting rooms M-23 and M-24 at the Moscone Center, West Exhibit Hall, 1st floor.

Softimage Education Summit at GDC 2008
Softimage is hosting an Education Summit at GDC on Tuesday, February 19th from 1-4pm. Company executives will present Softimage’s 2008 Education Program to academic leaders from all over the world. Guest speaker Perry Harovas, Chair, Visual Effects and Animation Department at Flashpoint Academy, and special guests from Crytek and Pandemic Studios will give their views and opinions on key education requirements to enter the 3D game market. For more information visit: http://www.softimage.com/events/gdc08/default.aspx

Softimage GDC Student User Event at Art Institute San Francisco
On Wednesday evening, February 20th from 5-8pm, Softimage will sponsor a Student User Event; open to all GDC attendees at The Art Institute of California @ San Francisco . Industry veterans including David Andrews from The Orphanage, Andy Bueker from Zoogloo, Jonathan Harb from Whiskytree, and Burke Revet from Black Point Studios will share their insight into what it takes to work in the industry and what kind of educational background students need to pursue to land a job. Qualified students who register for and attend the Softimage Student User Group will each receive a FREE academic license of SOFTIMAGE|XSI ($295 USMSRP value). Click here to register

GDC Featured Speaker, Peter Molyneux, Head of Studio, Lionhead Studios (Fable and Fable 2) will discuss new features and elements of the much anticipated Fable 2 role playing game (RPG) title (Friday, February 22, 2:30pm – 3:30pm Moscone North Hall, Room 135). Lionhead Studios is using SOFTIMAGE|XSI software to model and create all 3D content for Fable 2.

Game developers including Lionhead, Ubisoft, Capcom, Konami, Valve, Pandemic, Namco and SEGA use SOFTIMAGE|XSI software for all types of 3D content creation for their PC and next-gen console games—ranging from 3D models and game-engine content to pre-rendered cinematics. Softimage is dedicated to helping its growing number of students, educators and customers master SOFTIMAGE|XSI software.  To see why so many game companies and 3D artists choose XSI, download a FREE 30-day trial with free tutoring sessions to find out at: http://www.softimage.com/products/xsi/evaluation.aspx

About Softimage Co.
Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc. is a worldwide 3D graphics and animation software company focused on the media and entertainment industry.  Its flagship software, SOFTIMAGE®|XSI®, is a complete 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual effects solution that enables 3D artists and technical directors to bring their creative vision to life. Other solutions from Softimage include: Alienbrain®, a digital asset management solution for artists, SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT®, lifelike facial animation software, and SOFTIMAGE|CAT™, a complete character animation plug-in. Softimage software has been used to create award winning feature films, television productions and top selling video games. For more information about Softimage, visit www.softimage.com.

About Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Softimage and Sundance Digital. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid’s products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar® statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company’s Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com.

© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Promotions and discounts are subject to availability and change without notice. All prices are USMSRP for the U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid office or reseller for prices outside the U.S. and Canada. Avid, Digidesign, Film Composer, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Pro Tools, Sibelius, Sundance Digital, Softimage, CAT, Face Robot, and XSI are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. mental ray is a registered trademark of mental images GmbH in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.