Product: Virtools PSP Engine Used In Konami Chess Title

Dassault Systèmes has announced the first PSP game built with Virtools solutions, the company's 3D game prototyping and production solutions division: Konami's Online Chess Kingdoms, developed by Leviathan Games. The engine was previewed at March's Game Developers Conference in San Jose. Konami's Online Chess Kingdoms combines intense 3D graphics and storytelling with a variety of single and multiplayer game modes for the ultimate chess experience. Set in a time before the coming of man, players determine the fate of the world through a great battle. A classic 2D or 3D chess set is accessible, or players can battle it out on any one of five fully interactive 3D chess sets peopled with magicians, an aquatic civilization, cybernetic beings, forest-dwelling spirits and servants of chaos. "Leviathan has used Virtools technology for several years, delivering a wide variety of products on several different platforms. Working with Virtools on this flagship game title project has been a wonderful experience, allowing us to build a superior product in a shorter development timeframe. It reaffirms our long-term commitment to using this technology," commented Wyeth Ridgway, President and CTO of Leviathan Games. "This collaboration with our very close partner Leviathan Games proves our commitment to helping professional game developers create games faster and more efficiently. Our technology is the ideal framework to help mid-size studios to build profitable titles on gaming platform like the PSP" added Virgile Delporte, VP Entertainment for 3D4ALL/Virtools.