Scaleform, SpeedTree Join Emergent Partner Program

Emergent Game Technologies has announced that hardware-accelerated graphics company Scaleform and procedural tree modeling company SpeedTree have joined its Partner Program as Premier and Certified partners, respectively. Emergent's partner program integrates partners' middleware technology into the company's development framework with the aim of broadening its range of game production solutions and design tools. According to Gamebryo, the integration of Scaleform's GFx hardware with Gamebryo will support PC and console developers in transitioning from a static UI development environment to an artist-driven dynamic production pipeline. The company adds that companies including Disney, 2K Firaxis, and Sony Online Entertainment are already using Gamebryo and Scaleform GFx in concert. With SpeedTree integrated into Gamebryo, customers of both products can place SpeedTree directly in Gamebryo's Scene Designer tool and use SpeedTree's renderer from there. Gamebryo says that Bethesda Softworks used both products together for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Through Emergent's partner program, Premier partner products such as Scaleform GFx become available for purchase directly from Emergent, and the company says it supports developers by streamlining the evaluation, purchase and support process. As for Certified partners such as SpeedTree, Emergent works with them to co-develop an integration that will work out-of-the-box with Gamebryo, with standardized code and documentation. Being a Certified Partner also requires that sample code is provided to show developers how to use Gamebryo with the partner product. Ultimately, Gamebryo says, its aim is to create a higher degree of technology interoperability, enabling developers to select the products that best meet their needs and add new tools over time. Previously announced Emergent Partners include Ageia's PhysX and Audiokinetic's Wwise. Emergent CEO Geoffrey Selzer commented, "We provide a modular and flexible development solution that takes developers to that next level of game creation. By integrating our Partner's tools into Gamebryo, we are able to enhance our customers' opportunities to succeed by providing a community of solutions. We integrate these world-class solutions so our customers can focus on making great games."