Top Industry Driven Technology Company of the Year
It's Epic Games, don't you know.
CARY, N.C. (November 14, 2008) – Epic Games, Inc. today announced that it has been recognized as the Top Industry Driven Technology Company of the Year by the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA). Epic Games received its award at the annual NCTA 21 Awards gala last night at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary, N.C. The NCTA 21 Awards are recognized as North Carolina’s most prestigious awards, celebrating excellence in leadership and innovation.
This accolade comes on the heels of Epic’s worldwide release of “Gears of War 2,” which sold over 2 million units in its first weekend at retail. Epic is known for its breakthrough “Gears of War” franchise, the multimillion-selling “Unreal” series of games, and Unreal Engine 3, the award-winning software development framework that serves as the technological foundation for many of today’s bestselling computer and video games.
NCTA’s 21 Awards program is segmented into five categories: technology industry, stage of development, functional, leadership and excellence. Epic received a technology industry award in the new category of Top Industry Driven Technology Company of the Year for Unreal Engine 3’s positive impact on the entertainment software industry.
Epic has licensed Unreal Engine 3 to esteemed game developers and publishers including Electronic Arts, Microsoft, SEGA, Capcom, Take-Two Interactive, Square Enix and Activision. The engine is also used by world class architectural firm HKS to create functional 3D visualizations of architectural spaces like the new Dallas Cowboys football stadium and W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences. In addition, Unreal Engine 3 is used to develop animated films and 3D training simulations for military, government and corporate initiatives.
“The 2008 NCTA 21 awards was by far our most competitive with an outstanding list of finalists and a group of award recipients who distinguished themselves through outstanding achievement and superior performance,” said Brooks Raiford, president and chief executive officer of NCTA. “I congratulate Epic Games for receiving an NCTA 21 award and for the passion to lead, innovate and create.”
“We’re honored to be recognized by the NCTA as an industry leader in technology,” said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. “The other nominees are trailblazers in their respective fields -- for a game company like Epic to be singled out as the award winner is very flattering.”
About NCTA
The North Carolina Technology Association’s mission is “Making North Carolina #1 in Technology and Technology #1 in North Carolina.” The organization does this through three main focus areas: executive engagement, public affairs, and enabling member transition to a technology-enabled workplace. For more information, visit the NCTA Web site at www.nctechnology.org.
About Epic Games
Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in its “Unreal” series, most recently shipping “Unreal Tournament 3” for PC, PLAYSTATION®3 and Xbox 360®. Epic’s breakthrough game, “Gears of War,” sold 5 million copies and won over 30 Game of the Year awards. The highly anticipated sequel, “Gears of War 2,” was released on Nov. 7, 2008. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder and three-time consecutive winner of Game Developer magazine’s Best Engine Front Line Award. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through the Epic Games Web site at www.epicgames.com.
Epic, Epic Games, Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Unreal, Unreal Engine and Unreal Tournament are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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PRESS CONTACT
Dana Cowley
Sr. Public Relations Manager
Epic Games, Inc.
+1 (919) 447-4515
dana.cowley@epicgames.com