7th Level Announces Availability of Beta Version of Company's New Agent 7 Streamed Character Animation Tool.DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 1998-- Agent 7 Beta Now Downloadable at www.7thlevel.com 7th Level, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :SEVL) today announced that a beta version A pre-shipping release of hardware or software that has gone through alpha test. A beta version of software is supposed to be very close to the final product, but, in practice, it is more a way of getting users to test the software in the first place under real conditions. of the company's new Agent 7 streamed character animation Character animation is a specialized process of the animation process, concerning the animation of one or more characters featured in an animated work. It is usually as one aspect of a larger production, and often to complement voice acting. tool is available for free download at the company's Web site, www.7thlevel.com. Today's public release of the Agent 7 beta marks the completion of the first major phase of product development in 7th Level's new line of streamed animation tools for the Internet. 7th Level is a leading developer of Internet media preparation software and Agent 7 1.0 is the company's first commercial Internet software product. Once downloaded, the Agent 7 beta will allow anyone to quickly and easily animate characters within Web pages by simply recording the user's own voice into a microphone connected to the user's computer. Once recorded, the user's voice is encoded as an audio stream which is then published to a designated Web page where it automatically triggers gesturing and animation of a chosen character. The audio file is actually "spoken" by the host character, whose lip movements are synched accurately with the pace and intonation intonation In phonetics, the melodic pattern of an utterance. Intonation is primarily a matter of variation in the pitch level of the voice (see tone), but in languages such as English, stress and rhythm are also involved. of the user's own voice. The result is a lifelike, talking, animated Web agent that can serve a variety of e-commerce related functions, including site navigational host, site salesperson, customer support attendant and product training agent, among others. The Agent 7 characters can be continually refreshed re·fresh v. re·freshed, re·fresh·ing, re·fresh·es v.tr. 1. To revive with or as if with rest, food, or drink; give new vigor or spirit to. 2. and updated by the user, all by simply recording new voice messages. The tool is designed for use by anyone, including personal Web page creators and Web multimedia professionals. "There's nothing like speaking into a microphone at your computer and then literally seconds later seeing a character animate in a Web page with your very own voice," said Curt Marvis, 7th Level's new President. "No prior artistic or computer programming experience is required to operate Agent 7 - only an audible voice and a willingness to have fun!" 7th Level is encouraging all Web users to visit the company's Web site at www.7thlevel.com to download the free beta and experiment with the Agent 7 1.0 character animation tool. The company is anticipating heavy demand for the beta based on the large number of visits to the company's Web site in recent weeks since announcement of the initial development of Agent 7. Along with the Agent 7 beta, the user will download the 7th Level Player which enables playback of Agent 7 characters within a given Web page. Four (4) sample characters will be included with the Agent 7 beta, and ultimately, the company intends to release multiple packs of uniquely styled characters designed by 7th Level to serve a variety of Web page functions. The beta release See beta version. will also have certain advanced technical features, including JavaScript programmability which affords two-way, real-time communication with the Agent 7 character. 7th Level's new management hailed the beta release as an important first step in marking the company's intention to become a market leader in Internet media preparation software. "This beta release is significant not only for Agent 7's ultimate roll-out, but also for the company at large as a gauge that we are successfully meeting milestones and delivering on the internal expectations we've set for ourselves," said Tim Cahill
7th Level intends to complete final development of Agent 7 1.0 this summer, at which time a new pack of templated characters will be offered for download. The company also intends to provide custom character design and animation services to key corporate clients out of its Glendale, California Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It lies at the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley, is bisected by the Verdugo Mountains, and is an important suburb in the Greater Los Angeles Area. facility. About 7th Level 7th Level, Inc. (NASDAQ:SEVL) is a developer of leading-edge Internet software which can be used by anyone to quickly and easily create rich-media content for use in advertising, e-commerce, training, customer support and other e-business applications. 7th Level recently signed a comprehensive distribution agreement with RealNetworks (NASDAQ:RNWK RNWK Real Networks (stock symbol) ) whereby RealNetworks will distribute the company's Agent 7 technology. 7th Level has also recently signed strategic marketing and distribution agreements with WaveTop, a division of WavePhore, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAVO WAVO Association of Women Against Violence ) and AudioNet. Agent 7 is the first software tool of its kind for preparing and streaming intelligent, interactive animated characters over the Internet. Additional information on 7th Level is available via the company web site at www.7thlevel.com. CONTACTS: Media - Jenny Rosas/Stacey Johnes/Jennifer Mellios Bender, Goldman & Helper (310) 473-4147 jenny_rosas@bgh.com stacey_johnes@bgh.com jennifer_mellios@bgh.com or Investors - Gary Fishman/Susan Romeo Investor Relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. (212) 527-4808 gfish82403@aol.com |
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