Digital Extremes [London] Adopts NewTek's LightWave 3DR [8] for Production of Next Generation Games

LightWave [8] provides advanced modeling and animation tools for video game development.

Monday, March 22, 2004

San Jose, California - GDC - March 22, 2004 - NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, announced today that top independent game development studio, Digital Extremes has integrated LightWave 3DR [8] into their development pipeline for their upcoming game DarkSector. Digital Extremes [London], London, Ontario, Canada, which is producing DarkSector, is making use of the new animation tools in LightWave R [8] along with LightWave's robust modeling system.

"Our goal with the development of LightWave [8] was to build upon what is an established powerhouse for modeling, rendering and animation with new and improved tools for fast, effective character animation," said Andrew Cross, Senior Vice President of Engineering for NewTek, Inc. "It is extremely rewarding to see that our efforts are meeting the needs of a world-class game development company such as Digital Extremes."

LightWave [8] adds hard body dynamics to its suite of physical simulations tools, as well as improvements to cloth and other soft body dynamics. The character animation system is improved with faster inverse and forward kinematics, a more powerful and flexible control system, and the addition of dynamics for character skeletons - for example if the animator sends a heavy ball on a collision path with a character, the character will automatically react to the strike with real-world motions, based on where the ball impacts the character. Also included are import and export functions for character rigs that make it easy to apply rigs to new meshes, as well as the ability to cut, paste and adjust hierarchies with speed and ease.

"The beauty of LightWave [8] is that it delivers everything we need for game development right out of the box," commented Pancho Eekels, Lead Designer, Digital Extremes. "LightWave's Modeler has been a mainstay in our production pipeline for years, but with the new animation tools in LightWave [8] we're able to accomplish the total job in one package with absolutely beautiful results."

LightWave 3D Overview:

• World-class rendering
• Fast, versatile Modeler
• Powerful scripting language
• Character Animation tools
• Particle Effects
• Expressions
• Numeric entry and expressions in input fields
• Unlimited points and polygons per object
• Unlimited images
• Unlimited surfaces
• Easy import of IllustratorR data
• Easy integration with other effects production tools.

LightWave 3D version 8 Includes:

• Improved workflow in Layout and Modeler
• Rigid Body Dynamics
• Improved Soft Body Dynamics
• Faster IK, FK
• Bone Dynamics
• More powerful and flexible character animation controls and tools -Improved character setup workflow -New Particle System Tools -Animatable UV coordinates -Improvements to LScript(TM) scripting language and to the API

Pricing and Availability

LightWave 3D [8] is expected to ship within weeks for a suggested retail price of $2799 (Aust$ inc GST). LightWave 3D [7.5] is available now at authorized NewMagic / NewTek resellers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2799 (Aust$ inc GST), and those who purchase from now until LightWave 3D [8] ships will receive free the LightWave [8] Electronic Upgrade Pack, a $899 (Aust$ inc GST) value. Registered owners of LightWave 3D [7.5] or earlier are eligible to purchase an upgrade to LightWave [8] for $899 (Aust$ inc GST). To locate the nearest authorized reseller, see our reseller locater.

About NewTek

With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools including VT[3]^TM, and LightWave 3D^®, winner of the 2003 Primetime Emmy^® Engineering Award. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary Video Toaster^®.

The company's products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film. Recent television and film projects using NewTek software include Threat, Matrix, Children of Dune, Firefly, Taken, Smallville, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek 10: Nemesis, Matrix Reloaded, Collateral Damage, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Agent Cody Banks, Daredevil, Spy Kids II, We Were Soldiers, Panic Room, Hart's War, Driven, A.I., Oscar(r)-nominated Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Final Fantasy, Blackhawk Down, The Time Machine and Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Director's Edition DVD,

Recent game titles include Doom III, Unreal Tournament, Serious Sam for XBox, Age of Mythology, Civilization III, Dead to Rights, Baldur's Gate II, EverQuest and Escape From Monkey Island. Website: http://www.newtek.com.

About New Magic Australia Pty Ltd

New Magic Australia Pty Ltd is a recognised leader in the distribution and marketing of multimedia hardware and software, representing a carefully selected range of innovative, leading manufacturers, and catering for both the professional and consumer markets. New Magic has been established for over 15 years, and is the Australian distributor of Newtek Inc, Hauppauge Computer Works Inc, Dosch Design and Sony Pictures Digital software products