Unreal Engine 3
Licensed by Pyro Studios to power Planet 51.
MADRID (November 19, 2009) – Pyro Studios today announced it has licensed Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3 for use with its video games based on the forthcoming Sony Pictures Animation feature film, Planet 51. Developed by Pyro Studios and published by SEGA, Planet 51: The Game allows players to relive memorable events in the movie while expanding the vibrant Planet 51 universe with new characters, environments and vehicles exclusive to the video game.
To coincide with the movie release, Planet 51: The Game launched across all next-generation platforms on November 17, 2009. Additional information on Planet 51: The Game can be found at: http://www.sega.com/games/planet-51-the-game/
“This being a movie-based game for next-generation consoles, we had time restrictions and a hard deadline which required a very solid engine that would allow us to ship on time,” said Juan Franco, game director at Pyro Studios. “We chose Unreal because the engine is very stable, and it gave us a group of tools that enabled us to polish our game. It helped keep our focus through the game’s development, reducing the development time and allowing the team to focus on creativity.”
“Pyro has done a great job expressing the visual style of the animated movie with the game itself, and it looks like a lot of fun,” said Mark Rein, vice president, Epic Games. “When I saw this game at E3 this year, even I couldn't tell it was made with Unreal Engine 3. Planet 51: The Game does a great job of demonstrating the versatility developers expect from Unreal, and this is particularly evidenced by its distinct visual execution.”
About Unreal Engine 3
The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and its best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 maintains those features in addition to multi-core processor support, Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3 optimizations, massive world support, and a highly mature tool pipeline. Unreal Engine 3's consistently evolving toolset is designed to accelerate developers' productivity for PC and console games, visualization applications, training simulations, and linear animated content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained through the Unreal Technology Web site at www.unrealtechnology.com.
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, including “Unreal Tournament 3” for PC, PLAYSTATION®3 and Xbox 360®. Epic’s “Gears of War” won over 30 Game of the Year awards, and the sales of "Gears of War" and “Gears of War 2” have eclipsed 11 million units. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the three-time consecutive winner of Game Developer magazine’s Best Engine Front Line Award and is this year's Hall of Fame inductee. Unreal Engine 3 has also been recognized as the number one game engine by Develop magazine. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through the Epic Games Web site at www.epicgames.com.
About Pyro Studios
Pyro Studios was founded in 1996 with the main objective of creating and producing the best and highest quality videogames in the market. Nowadays, it is one of the leading companies of videogame development in the world, and has a team of more than 150 of the best professionals in the industry .”Commandos”, the videogame launched by Pyro Studios in 1998, has sold more than 5 million copies, and has become one of the most important videogames in the world in more than 25 countries. Pyro Studios Web site is located at www.pyrostudios.com
About Ilion Animation Studios
Ilion Animation Studios was founded in 2002 to create state-of-the-art computer animated movies for worldwide theatrical release, using its own purpose-built cutting-edge technology to achieve a unique visual animation experience. 250 highly talented and experienced artists, program developers, high-tech engineers and other professionals, from over 20 nations, work together at Ilion on “Planet 51”; the studios’ first CGI animated movie. Ilion’s second movie is scheduled for release in 2011. The international web site can be located at www.ilion.com.
About SEGA Europe Ltd.:
SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA Europe’s web site is located at www.sega.com.
About SEGA of America, Inc.:
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America’s Web site is located at www.sega.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
Senior PR Manager
Epic Games, Inc.
dana.cowley@epicgames.com