Image Metrics Secures $6.5M For New Tech, Game Operations

UK-based facial animation software company Image Metrics, whose technology was featured in Grand Theft Auto IV, picked up $6.5 million in a Series B round of funding led by Saffron Hill Ventures. The new funding will go toward developing new technologies and services designed to provide more cost-effective and high-quality facial animation solutions, and also toward Image Metrics' plans for its video game and film divisions. Image Metrics provides facial animation solutions to the film, television, and video game industries, counting among its clients Rockstar Games and Sony Computer Entertainment. The company's film and video game departments previously worked as a single unit, but were separated in November to better address their respective industries. "The company has achieved a number of milestones this year, including our work on Rockstar Games' GTA IV and a groundbreaking film project, the beta launch of our performance transfer product for the film market, the addition of several key new management team members and the establishment of our video Game and Film divisions," says Image Metrics CEO Mike Starkenburg. He continues, "The infusion of new capital in this difficult financial environment validates our ongoing commitment to helping studios cost-effectively create more immersive entertainment."