Virtuos - 3D Art Outsourcing, Game Outsourcing, and Game Development in China

Virtuos speaks at the CEDEC Game Conference in Japan

Damien — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:55:11 +0000

Shanghai, September 4, 2010 – Virtuos spoke to Japan’s game development community at the CEDEC Conference in Yokohama. Virtuos Japan Representative Ms. Naoko Kino gave the talk, along with Virtuos Producer Shigekazu Ito.

With a theme of “You Create, We Produce”, Ms. Kino outlined some of the challenges faced by Japanese developers today, and how offshore production can help them address those challenges.

“Japanese developers hold a wealth of creativity. But modern game development requirements mean that highly creative individuals may work on only one title for several years,” said Ms. Kino.

“By outsourcing game production, Japanese developers can create more great games, with a faster and more cost-effective development cycle.”

Mr. Ito continued the talk with a discussion on the major challenges of outsourcing production. “Communication, quality and IP protection are important issues to all developers considering outsourcing for the first time,” said Mr. Ito. “It is essential for developers to find an outsourcing partner with a strong track record of IP protection, and with native Japanese staff who can help them ensure their quality expectations are fully met.”

The talk came just after several major Japanese publishers announced they would reduce the SKUs they planned to release in the face of rising development costs. Meanwhile, another major Japanese publisher announced that it would increase the number of games it planned to produce with the help of Western outsourcing.

About Virtuos
With offices in Shanghai, Chengdu, Vancouver, Paris and Tokyo, Virtuos is one of the largest and most international providers of digital entertainment offshore production services, specializing in 3D Art and Co-development. Virtuos’ international management team includes experts from more than 10 nationalities. Virtuos clients include 15 of the top 20 games publishers worldwide as well as renowned developers.

Sid Meier’s Pirates!™ Co-developed by Virtuos, Setting Sail for Wii™ This Autumn

gilles — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:38:03 +0000

2K Games’ Sid Meier’s Pirates!™ Charts Course for Retail on October 5, 2010

New York, NY – August 25, 2010 – On October 5, 2010, cast ye gaze upon the horizon, pray to Poseidon for fair seas and set sail for Sid Meier’s Pirates!, an entertaining journey for adventurous treasure hunters unlike anything ever experienced before for on Wii™ system. The classic Sid Meier’s Pirates! has been adapted for the Wii by Virtuos, and is a swashbuckling adventure that allows aspiring buccaneers to earn their sea legs serving as captain of one of 27 fully customizable man-of-war ships while they explore the tropical 17th century Caribbean islands.

In Sid Meier’s Pirates! gamers can:

* Descend upon unsuspecting seaside colonies armed with a motley crew of loyal seafaring scoundrels.
* Embark on exhilarating missions, locate secret maps and discover treasure chests bursting with gold and jewels.
* Use newfound riches to barter for supplies and build ships with stronger firepower and bigger sails for faster speed and better navigation.
* Plunge head-first into exciting pirate ship battles, unleash a furious barrage of cannonballs and send nautical enemies to Davy Jones’ Locker.
* Dispatch noisy blowhards using expert swordsmanship in clanging fights of sharp blades of steel.
* Pursue and win the hearts of fair maidens through cunning tactics and charming good looks.

Overflowing with intense pirate action, Sid Meier’s Pirates! possesses a treasure chest of gameplay booty, including classic traditional mini-games from the franchise’s original title such as Sword Fighting, Ship Combat and Dancing – plus two Wii-exclusive mini-games mapped to the Wii controls – Bombardment and Lock Picking.

Sid Meier’s Pirates! is rated E10+ for everyone 10 and older by the ESRB. For more information please visit www.sidmeierspirates.com.

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone™, iPod® touch and iPad. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
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“Press Your Luck” Co-Developed by Virtuos for PlayStation 3 Available Now

Damien — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:28:52 +0000

LUDIA AND FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCE PRESS YOUR LUCK FOR PLAYSTATION® 3 AVAILABLE NOW ON PLAYSTATION® NETWORK

(MONTREAL, CANADA – August 24, 2010) – Interactive entertainment company Ludia and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today announced the availability of the Press Your Luck game for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on the PlayStation®Network. Based on the classic Press Your Luck television game show, PS3™ owners can now play as one of three contestants competing to win by correctly answering trivia questions to earn “spins” on the Big Board. The player who ends the game with the highest earnings emerges victorious- all the while trying to avoid the dreaded Whammy or risk losing all winnings. Players can enjoy a thrilling online multiplayer Press Your Luck experience as they compete against friends and/or other players from across North America via the PlayStation®Network. Additionally, multiplayer local and solo game play is also supported.

“Ludia is excited to bring the humor and family entertainment of Press Your Luck, starring the famously mischievous ‘Whammy’ character, to PlayStation®3 systems via the PlayStation®Network,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “This latest release is another captivating addition to our slate of game show games for PS3™, and serves to further augment Ludia‟s multiplatform strategy.”

Press Your Luck for PS3™ features:

Three game modes: Play solo, enjoy Multiplayer Mode on one PS3™, or play Multiplayer Online via the PlayStation®Network (up to 3 players).
Hundreds of trivia questions and game play punctuated by dozens of hilarious Whammy animations.
Authentic stage, Big Board, music and sound effects create a true-to-show game experience.
Customizable player avatars, with bonus items unlocked as a reward for progress in the game.
Chat with other players using any compatible wireless headset for the PlayStation®3 system.

“Given the superb work Ludia did with Family Feud for PS3™, we are pleased to have Ludia infuse another of our game show brands with a new level of interactivity, including multiplayer game play, to PlayStation®3 systems owners throughout North America,” added Olivier Delfosse, Director of Interactive for program licensor FME.

Press Your Luck for PS3™ is available now for download on the PlayStation®Network for $9.99.

About Ludia Inc.
Ludia creates and distributes cross-platform interactive entertainment with mass consumer appeal. Located in Montreal and founded by experienced industry players, Ludia’s innovative and high-quality product portfolio consists of original and branded properties including The Amazing Race™, American Idol®, The Bachelor & The Bachelorette, Family Feud®, Hell’s Kitchen™, Hollywood Squares™, Press Your Luck, The Price Is Right™, Where’s Waldo?® and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.
www.ludia.com

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia‟s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world‟s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world‟s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.

About “PRESS YOUR LUCK®”
First broadcast in 1983, Press Your Luck became a classic TV game show where contestants collected “spins” by answering trivia questions and then used the spins on an 18-space game board full of cash and prizes. It featured the animated Whammy character that included celebrity Whammies (Michael Jackson, Boy George and Tina Turner) as well as seasonal, sport Whammies and many more!

Trademarks belong to their respective owners.

The “Family Feud” Co-Developed by Virtuos for iPad Available Now

Damien — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:59:12 +0000

LUDIA AND FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCE THE “FAMILY FEUD” GAME FOR iPAD AVAILABLE NOW IN HD ON THE APP STORE

MONTREAL, CANADA July 09, 2010 – Interactive entertainment company Ludia and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today announced the launch of the Family Feud for iPad® on the App Store. The game brings an unparalleled Family Feud game experience to iPad owners, enhanced with eye-popping new HD graphics and incorporating Multi-Touch game play.

Based on one of the most successful family game shows of all time – which premieres its 12th season in syndication with new host Steve Harvey on September 13th (check local listings), iPad owners can now play anywhere, anytime as the leader of a ‘family’ in a contest to name the most popular answers to survey questions posed to 100 people. The game features all of the favorite elements of the show as played on television, including the scoreboard, face offs, strikes, stealing and ‘fast money’ rounds. Players also can enjoy Family Feud in multiplayer mode as they challenge family and friends head-to-head, or compete solo against the computer.

“We are excited to bring the Family Feud game, one of the most popular game shows of all time, to a device as immersive as the iPad,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “This release further reinforces our cross-platform strategy of delivering high quality, family-friendly game experiences on the latest devices on which people like to play games.”

Family Feud for iPad features:

Eye-popping HD Graphics designed and optimized for the iPad’s advanced capabilities.
Two game modes: single and multiplayer.
Fully customizable player avatars – choose hairstyles, clothing, accessories and more.
Predictive text input and auto spell checker make typing answers lightning fast.
Unlock bonus items as a reward for progress in the game.
Authentic stage, theme music and sound effects create a true-to-show game experience.

“After more than three decades on television, the Emmy-award winning Family Feud continues to be one of the most beloved television brands,” said Olivier Delfosse, Director, Interactive, FME. “We are pleased to extend the franchise to devices like the iPad so that both fans and game show enthusiasts alike can experience Family Feud in thrilling new ways.”

Family Feud for iPad is available for $6.99 on the App Store at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

About Ludia Inc.
Ludia creates and distributes cross-platform interactive entertainment with mass consumer appeal. Located in Montreal and founded by experienced industry players, Ludia’s innovative and high-quality product portfolio consists of original and branded properties including American Idol®, The Bachelor & The Bachelorette, Family Feud®, Hell’s Kitchen™, Press Your Luck, The Amazing Race™, The Price Is Right™ and Where’s Waldo?®.
www.ludia.com

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 14,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall. www.fremantlemedia.com

About “FAMILY FEUD”
Taped in front of a live audience from its new home at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, FAMILY FEUD is produced by FremantleMedia North America. Gaby Johnston and Kevin Williams are executive producers. Jim Roush is executive in charge of production. Ken Fuchs is director.

About FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon “American Idol” (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “What Chilli Wants” (VH1), “Kirstie Alley’s BIG LIFE” (A&E), “Downfall” (ABC), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Family Feud” (syn), “The Price Is Right” (CBS), and the much-anticipated “The X Factor” (FOX) for Fall 2011.

Trademarks belong to their respective owners

E3 2010 – Virtuos’ Strongest E3 to Date

gilles — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:34:35 +0000

Shanghai, China – July 7, 2010 – Virtuos announced today that E3 2010 has been Virtuos’ biggest E3 yet, with nearly 30 of the Expo’s hottest games featuring Virtuos work.

The lineup of Virtuos-contributed games included prominent titles displayed at the press conferences held by Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony.

“Virtuos is proud to have contributed to eagerly anticipated new games at each of the big three’s press conferences,” said Virtuos’ CEO Gilles Langourieux. “For the industry’s leading gamemakers, Virtuos continues to play an important strategic role in production of their biggest upcoming games.”

Virtuos’ games of E3 also included several titles that won ‘Best of E3′ awards from the three leading online game news portals. Those awards include:

Best PS3 Game
Best Wii Game
Best Sports Game
Best Shooter
Best 3D

In its 5-year history Virtuos has become one of the premier players in offshore game production, delivering AAA-quality work for 15 of the world’s top 20 game publishers.

About Virtuos
With offices in Shanghai, Chengdu, Vancouver, Paris and Japan, Virtuos is one of the largest and most international providers of digital entertainment offshore production services, specializing in 3D Art and Co-development. Virtuos’ international management team includes experts from more than 10 nationalities. Virtuos clients include 15 of the top 20 games publishers worldwide as well as renowned developers.

The “Family Feud” Co-Developed by Virtuos for PlayStation 3 Available Now

Damien — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:28:49 +0000

LUDIA AND FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCE FAMILY FEUD FOR PLAYSTATION®3 SYSTEM AVAILABLE NOW ON PLAYSTATION® NETWORK

MONTREAL, CANADA July 06, 2010 – Interactive entertainment company Ludia and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today announced the availability of the Family Feud game for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on the PlayStation®Network. Based on one of the most successful family game shows of all time – which premieres its 12th season in syndication with new host Steve Harvey on September 13th (check local listings), PS3™ owners can now play as the leader of a ‘family’ in a contest to name the most popular answers to survey questions posed to 100 people. The game features all of the favorite elements of the show as played on television, including the scoreboard, face offs, strikes, stealing and ‘fast money’ rounds. Players can enjoy a thrilling online multiplayer Family Feud experience as they compete against friends and/or other players from across North America in head-to-head challenges via the PlayStation Network. Additionally, multiplayer local and solo game play is also supported.

“Ludia is happy to extend the ever-popular Family Feud franchise to PlayStation 3 systems via the PlayStation Network,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “This new game is another great addition to Ludia’s growing portfolio of game show games for PS3™, and further reinforces our multiplatform strategy.”

Family Feud for PlayStation®3 system features:

Three game modes: Play solo, enjoy Multiplayer Mode on one PlayStation 3 system, or play Multiplayer Online via the PlayStation Network.
Authentic stage, theme music and sound effects create a true-to-show game experience.
Predictive text input and auto spell checker make typing answers lightning fast.
Original, fully customizable 3D player avatars: choose hairstyles, clothing, accessories and more.
Unlock bonus items as a reward for progress in the game.

“The Emmy Award-winning Family Feud is one of the longest running game shows on television, and one that has a huge fan following,” added Olivier Delfosse, Director of Interactive for program licensor FME. “We are excited to continue to work with Ludia to bring an authentic Family Feud experience with a new level of interactivity, including multiplayer game play, to an even broader public of PlayStation 3 systems owners.”

Family Feud for PS3™ is available now for download on the PlayStation Network for $9.99.

About Ludia Inc.
Ludia creates and distributes cross-platform interactive entertainment with mass consumer appeal. Located in Montreal and founded by experienced industry players, Ludia’s innovative and high-quality product portfolio consists of original and branded properties including American Idol®, The Bachelor & The Bachelorette, Family Feud®, Hell’s Kitchen™, Press Your Luck, The Amazing Race™, The Price Is Right™ and Where’s Waldo?®.
www.ludia.com

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 14,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall. www.fremantlemedia.com

About FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon “American Idol” (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “What Chilli Wants” (VH1), “Kirstie Alley’s BIG LIFE” (A&E), “Secret Girlfriend” (Comedy Central), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Million Dollar Password” (CBS), “Family Feud” (syndicated) and the longest-running game show in television history, “The Price Is Right” (CBS).

Trademarks belong to their respective owners

Virtuos Partner Allegorithmic Releases Substance Designer Texturing Tools

Virtuos HR — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:31:07 +0000

Shanghai – June 23, 2010 – Virtuos technology partner Allegorithmic announced today the release of their new set of cutting-edge Substance Designer texturing tools.

Substance Designer is part of the larger texturing-oriented Substance product line designed to help artists efficiently create and collaborate on dynamic textures iteratively. Substance Designer is the first professional texture sequencer allowing to mix and manipulate bitmaps, vector graphics, and procedural elements in order to produce complex maps.

The textures created with Substance Designer offer many advantages and possibilities over traditional bitmaps. While the latter are static and built in a linear way, the textures made with Substance Designer are dynamic and remain highly customizable at every stage of the creation process.

Virtuos has already integrated the Substance tools in its own pipeline, and has a large team of artists trained on the Substance software. As such Virtuos is in a unique position to provide training and support to Substance Clients.

The Price Is Right For Sony Playstation® 3 Co-Developed By Virtuos Available Now On Playstation® Network

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:30:28 +0000

LUDIA AND FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCE THE PRICE IS RIGHT FOR SONY PLAYSTATION® 3 AVAILABLE NOW ON PLAYSTATION®NETWORK

(MONTREAL, CANADA – May 18, 2010) – Interactive entertainment company Ludia and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today announced the availability of The Price Is Right game for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on the PlayStation®Network. Players can now “COME ON DOWN” for their shot in Contestant’s Row, bid on items in 19 different pricing games, test their luck with spinning The Big Wheel, and experience the winner-takes-all tension of the Showcase.

“We are pleased to extend our tremendously successful The Price Is Right game to PlayStation 3 systems via the PlayStation Network,” said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia Inc. “This first game release is just the beginning for Ludia games on PS3™, and further reinforces our multiplatform game strategy.”

The Price Is Right for PS3™ features:

19 favorite pricing games to play including Plinko, Cliff Hangers, Punch-a-Bunch & many more.
Rich graphics, including stages, The Big Wheel, and other game elements combined with all the familiar music and sound effects to create a true-to-show game experience.
Original, fully customizable 3D player avatars: choose hairstyles, clothing, accessories and more.
Two game modes: single player and multiplayer.
Unlock bonus items as a reward for progress in the game

“The Emmy Award-winning The Price Is Right is the #1 daytime game show on television, and one that holds a consistently solid fan base” added Olivier Delfosse, Director of Interactive for program licensor FME. “We are delighted to continue to work with Ludia to bring an authentic brand experience to an even broader public of PlayStation 3 systems owners.”

The Price Is Right for PS3™ is available now for download on the PlayStation Network for $9.99.

About Ludia Inc.
Ludia creates and distributes cross-platform interactive entertainment with mass consumer appeal. Located in Montreal and founded by experienced industry players, Ludia’s innovative and high-quality product portfolio consists of original and branded properties including American Idol®, The Bachelor & The Bachelorette, Family Feud®, Hell’s Kitchen™, Press Your Luck, The Amazing Race™, The Price Is Right™ and Where’s Waldo?®.
www.ludia.com

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 14,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.

About “THE PRICE IS RIGHT”
The Price Is Right, the longest-running game show in television history, is hosted by Drew Carey and produced by FremantleMedia North America, The Price Is Right is broadcast weekdays (11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, ET; 10:00-11:00 AM, PT) on the CBS Television Network.

About FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon “American Idol” (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “What Chilli Wants” (VH1), “Kirstie Alley’s BIG LIFE” (A&E), “Secret Girlfriend” (Comedy Central), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Million Dollar Password” (CBS), “Family Feud” (syndicated) and the longest-running game show in television history, “The Price Is Right” (CBS).

Trademarks belong to their respective owners

Virtuos Production Director gives talk at GDC China

Dai — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:57:23 +0000

Shanghai, April 19, 2010 – Production Director and Founding Member of Virtuos Pan Feng gave a presentation at GDC China 2010. Drawing on Virtuos’ experience with clients worldwide, including 3 of the top 5 Chinese game operators, Pan Feng discussed how the challenges faced by Western and Chinese gamemakers are different, and in what ways they are converging. The presentation covered several key principles of the outsource relationship, and how the relationship has evolved over the past 5 years.

“As the Chinese game market matures, outsourcing is becoming more common among Chinese gamemakers,” said Pan Feng. “Best practices are continually being refined and both Western and Chinese game makers have lessons to learn from each other on how to improve their approach to the process.”

He also outlined the ways that both outsource providers as well as their clients can improve their productive relationships, and get more out of the partnership.

“We are increasingly seeing our clients – from every region – look at outsourcing not only as a resource for game assets. More and more of our clients are looking at their outsource partners to help them make the connections between those assets, and even to import some of the processes we have refined into their own development systems.”

About Virtuos
Headquartered in Shanghai, with offices in Vancouver and Paris, Virtuos is one of the largest and most international providers of digital entertainment offshore production services, specializing in 3D Art and Co-development. Virtuos’ international management team includes experts from more than 10 nationalities. Virtuos clients include 15 of the top 20 games publishers worldwide as well as renowned developers.

Virtuos Reaches 500 Employees, Announces New-Gen Game Development

Dai — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:24:50 +0000

Shanghai, March 4, 2010 – Virtuos announced today that it has reached 500 employees across its Shanghai and Chengdu development centers. In conjunction with the announcement, Virtuos revealed that it has become the first independent company in China to develop a retail title for all new-generation video game platforms.

Virtuos is developing this title for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP platforms simultaneously. The yet-unannounced game will be the latest installment of a series from one of the world’s leading publishers.

“Virtuos is proud to reach this important milestone. Driven by a very strong base of local talent, China will continue to evolve into a central player in game development and digital content outsourcing in the next decade,” said Virtuos CEO Gilles Langourieux.

Virtuos has achieved consistent growth over the past five years, reaching 300 employees in 2008, 400 employees in 2009, and now 500 in 2010.

“Steady expansion continues to enhance our ability to deliver on the natural competitive advantage of production in China,” said Mr. Langourieux. “We have been fortunate over the years to have the benefit of excellent talent attracting great projects, and great projects attracting more excellent talent.”

Virtuos now provides services in nearly all areas of digital entertainment production, after recently adding teams to produce online games, concept art and CG-movie assets.