Image Metrics Joins TIGA

Facial animation tech provider Image Metrics has joined UK trade body TIGA, through which it hopes to build its relationships with the region's developers and industry businesses. "TIGA is recognized as an essential resource for the UK video games industry, and Image Metrics is excited to join in support of the UK games development community at the grassroots level," says Image Metrics EVP Brian Waddle, citing Image Metrics' ties to the Manchester community. Image Metrics' membership comes on the heels of the launch of its its new Faceware product, which it describes as an "animation technology platform." It's designed to integrate with development pipelines to enhance facial animation processes and improve their efficiency. NBA 2K10, Assassin's Creed II and God of War III have all used Faceware. The company recently secured $8 million in financing through a stock deal, going public through a reverse merger with International Cellular Accessories, and hired former Havok sales vet Michael Crigler as its VP of North American sales. As for TIGA, it just revealed details of its 2009 annual report highlighting its activities on behalf of developers in the UK, most notably its efforts to make a case to the government on behalf of tax breaks for video game developers. TIGA CEO Richard Wilson commented: "We believe that our respective resources will be mutually beneficial as Image Metrics deepens its ties with the UK games marketplace and helps drive improvements in the quality of faces in games."