Engenuity Acquires BioGraphic Technologies AI Firm

Simulation software firm Engenuity Technologies has announced that it has acquired BGT BioGraphic Technologies, Inc. (BGT), a developer of artificial AI software for the gaming, entertainment and visual simulation (VizSim) industries. BGT's AI.implant software is used in a number of prominent video games - recent deals include an agreement with Midway to use AI.implant as its standard and preferred AI engine for products such as John Woo's Stranglehold, as well as a Sony deal for Major League Baseball 2006. According to the company, this acquisition allows Engenuity to "...offer a broader range of applications to its existing simulation customers and to penetrate new vertical markets, such as urban simulation, homeland security and serious games." Engenuity acquired all of the outstanding shares of BGT in exchange for around $835,000 in Engenuity shares, $162,131 in cash and a promissory note of $250,000 to be paid in 12 months from closing. Engenuity also assumed $1,494,186 of BGT’s debt, of which $492,870 was repaid at closing. “Our vision is to build Engenuity into a one-stop-shop for end-to-end visualization and simulation solutions. This is the first step in our acquisition strategy to expand our presence in the broader simulation market,” says Patrice Commune, chief executive officer, Engenuity Technologies. “We are excited about the standalone strength of the AI.implant product in its existing games, entertainment and VizSim markets as well as the immediate and long-term synergies between AI.implant and the STAGE suite.” As part of the deal, Dr. Paul Kruszewski, founder and president of BGT BioGraphic Technologies, will assume the role of Engenuity’s chief technology officer to help shape Engenuity’s long-term technical focus and diversification into the growing VizSim and Serious Games space. He commented of the deal: "This acquisition creates a powerful new force in the games middleware industry. Our new team remains committed to servicing the film and gaming industries, and we look forward to leveraging Engenuity’s development infrastructure to further accelerate our current product penetration in these markets."