Codemasters bowled over by Audiomotion

2 April 2007, Oxford, UK: Multi-award winning motion capture studio, Audiomotion has today announced the essential role it played in the making of the recently released game, Brian Lara International Cricket 2007. All the animation that appears on screen began as a motion capture sequence, which makes it the most realistic and life like version of the game to date.

After hitting the shops last week, Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 is set to be even bigger than last year, with a whole new range of moves to allow the game player more choice and enjoyment from the game. A sports title like Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 required recreating realistic sports moves, which is why Audiomotion's motion capture expertise was called upon by the game's developer and publisher Codemasters.

"I've worked with Audiomotion on previous projects and they have always been ready to adapt and work around our requirements," said lead artist at Codemasters, Phil Warner. "We have a really strong working relationship with the guys down there, which helps when you have to think on your feet!"

Hundreds of variations of each and every move were captured by the prestigious Vicon MX40+ cameras to cover all possible outcomes that might occur in the game of cricket. On top of this a number of cut scenes were captured, making up non-interactive sequences designed to add a television broadcast feel to the game.

"The key to the system was having a number of break points in the animation where the player could change the outcome of the move," explained Warner. "Breaking the animation sequences down into very short chunks has the effect of allowing the fielder in the game to react quickly to the users input."

As a result of working with Audiomotion, Codemasters has seen benefits elsewhere too. Warner explains: "We adapted the capture area to make sure the moves we were capturing were exactly what we required. The net result was a big saving in production time. It also meant animators didn't have to spend weeks adjusting the data to meet the game's specifications."

Mick Morris Managing Director at Audiomotion Studios said: "We were delighted to be asked once again by Codemasters to provide the motion capture for the latest Brian Lara title. Having worked on Brian Lara 2005, the number one selling game, we are confident that 2007 will be another smash hit."

The Vicon MX40 camera has been used in the production of many blockbusting movies and video games, as well as in the engineering and life sciences sectors. Vicon is a subsidiary of Oxford Metrics Group, and has won numerous awards - including a technical Oscar - for the strength of its cameras and systems.

Nick Bolton chief executive at Oxford Metrics Group said: "Audiomotion has worked on some amazing projects and this is no exception. Brian Lara Cricket 2007 has an incredible life-like feel and I'm delighted that Vicon has been a part of bringing the highly detailed realism to this project."

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Images are available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35262542@N00/sets/72157600042844407/

About Codemasters

Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, Brian Lara Cricket and Operation Flashpoint. The company is headquartered in Southam, Warwickshire UK and maintains operations in the US, Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. More information about the company and its products is available online at http://www.codemasters.com

About Audiomotion

Audiomotion Studios is the multi-award winning, UK motion capture studio. For 10 years Audiomotion has specialised in the provision of motion capture services to the game development, film and television industries. Their 6,000 sq. ft. facility is equipped with the very latest Vicon MX40 System, enabling the largest in-house capture area in Europe.

For more information visit www.audiomotion.com or call +44 (0) 870 1600 504 or email info@audiomotion.com

About Oxford Metrics Group

Oxford Metrics (LSE: OMG) is a group of technology companies producing image understanding solutions for the entertainment, defence, life science and engineering industries. Be it for capturing the movements of actors (for the movie industry), sportsmen (for video games or improving team performance), children with Cerebral Palsy, rehab patients and animals (for medical, life science and research industries) or virtual reality displays (for engineering and development), the Group has the world leading market position and a strong international reputation for precision instruments.

Founded in 1984, the Group's headquarters are in Oxford, UK, and has offices in California and Colorado, USA. It has customers in over 50 countries and is a quoted company listed on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. The Group trades through three operating subsidiaries - Vicon, the world's biggest motion capture and movement analysis company, 2d3, a manufacturer of specialised image understanding software for entertainment and defence applications and Geospatial Vision, our 3D mapping business.

Oxford Metrics' global clients in science, medicine, sport, engineering, gaming, film and broadcast include major hospitals and research facilities such as Guy's Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Loughborough University, engineering industry leaders including Ford Motor Company, BMW, Airbus, Caterpillar, and Toyota, and in the entertainment sector, Sony, Industrial Light and Magic, The Moving Picture Company (MPC), Sega, Nintendo, UbiSoft, EA, Square Enix and many others.

For more information about OMG and its subsidiaries, visit www.omg3d.com, www.vicon.com, www.2d3.com or www.geospatialvision.com.

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