Quantic Dream Re-Tools Game Development Pipeline

Press release from Autodesk:

SAN RAFAEL, CA -- Autodesk [1] announced that Quantic Dream, maker of the highly acclaimed "Heavy Rain" videogame, has adopted Autodesk software suites [2] and Autodesk Gameware [3] technology for development of the company's next title. Both Autodesk HumanIK [4] animation middleware and Autodesk Mudbox [5] digital sculpting and texture painting software are new to the Quantic Dream production pipeline.

Mudbox was a driving factor in the studio's decision to move to Autodesk Maya Entertainment Creation Suite [6] Standard edition, which also contains Autodesk Maya animation software [7] and Autodesk MotionBuilder character animation software.

“Previously we were using another sculpting product, but we are impressed with how far Mudbox has come over the past few releases,” said Damien Castelltort, chief technology officer, Quantic Dream. “The interoperability between Maya and Mudbox is a big plus for us. Autodesk has streamlined the workflow between products in the suite, enabling our artists to work more efficiently.”

Quantic Dream also plans to integrate Autodesk HumanIK middleware into its upcoming title. HumanIK provides a full body inverse kinematics (FBIK) system that enables characters to interact more realistically with their environment and other characters within the game.

“Believable characters are crucial when you intend to evoke an emotional response during gameplay,” explained Guillaume de Fondaumière, co-chief executive officer and executive producer. “HumanIK will help us achieve more realistic animations, while reducing the amount of time required implementing them. Also, the unified solver for HumanIK in Maya gives us better animation consistency between what our artists see in the software and what comes through in our game engine.”

“Quantic Dream is recognized around the world for its fresh approach to games,” said Marc Stevens, Autodesk vice president, product management. “With its unique production pipeline, the company has blazed new trails -- tapping human emotion to immerse us more deeply into enthralling gaming experiences. I look forward to seeing what the company will achieve with our Entertainment Creation Suite and Gameware technology now in their arsenal of tools.”