Masthead Chooses SpeedTree For Earthrise MMO

Bulgaria-based independent developer Masthead Studios has signed a licensing agreement to use Interactive Data Visualization’s SpeedTree middleware, a virtual foliage solution, to enhance development in environmental flora in its post-apocalyptical PC MMO Earthrise. Also recently used in Microsoft's Project Gotham Racing 4 and Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV, SpeedTreeRT delivers highly realistic trees and plants with adjustable wind effects and user-configurable LOD transitions, as well as an included library of more than 1,000 tree, plant, and marine models representing 200 species. The software also includes SpeedTreeCAD, a Windows application for creating and editing animated trees in real-time. Due for release 2009, Eathrise features a skill-based advancement system, sophisticated PVP mechanics, and a player-driven economy, all with a post-apocalyptic, science fiction setting. Masthead Studios is developing Earthrise with its own proprietary engine to create an MMO with “unmatched graphics and player freedom.” “SpeedTree provides our team with the freedom to create the plants and trees of Earthrise with a very rich library of assets,” said Atanas Atanasov, CEO of Masthead Studios. “The combination of frequent updates and a significant collection of included models contribute to rapid integration and overall environment development.”