Product: Online Alchemy Taps Emergent For MMO Development

Middleware developers Emergent have announced that MMO game and technology development studio Online Alchemy has licensed Emergent's Gamebryo and Metrics Element as well as forthcoming server management and automation technologies for use in upcoming MMO projects. The latest next-gen version of Gamebryo Element, used by Bethesda Softworks to create the multiplatform role-playing epic The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, is optimized for development on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Gamebryo is currently available as a stand-alone engine, or as part of the Emergent Elements suite of game development tools, including Metrics Element, a tool for collecting, analyzing and distributing any game data within a simple web-based user interface, and Automation Element, a tool for automating common development processes including builds and server operations. As part of the agreement, Online Alchemy will also have early access to Emergent's forthcoming server tools and core technology, as well as its automation technology. Online Alchemy is perhaps most recognized for its patent-pending technology, the Dynemotion People Engine, which generates emotive and contextually-aware NPCs, enabling “entirely new kinds of "relational" game play.” The engine is being developed for eventual third-party licensing for use in game design and development, and has already been licensed by the US Department of Defense to develop new methods of virtual-world-based simulation and training. "In a development climate that is evolving rapidly and becoming ever more complex Online Alchemy has aggressive plans for their MMO titles,” commented Emergent CEO Geoffrey Selzer. “By deciding to license our Gamebryo Element game engine, Metrics Element and the rest of the Element family of products, Online Alchemy is adopting a flexible framework that will enable them to efficiently scale their development processes and significantly reduce the cost, risk and complexity of deployment."