Discreet Introduces gmax at Game Developers Conference; New Product Allows Game Developers To Leverage 3ds max 4 Architecture in Game Design and Level-Editing Process.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Game Developers Conference

Booth No. 1328

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2001

Discreet(TM), a division of Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), introduced today from the Game Developers Conference, gmax(TM), (pronounced gee-max), the company's licensable game development platform and free consumer game-content editor based on flexible, creative tools found in 3ds max(TM), the world's best selling 3D animation platform. Development and consumer versions of gmax are expected to be available late summer 2001.

By licensing gmax, game companies can reduce the development cycle and extend the life of a game through the distribution of gmax game packs, which allow players to create, customize and trade game content through online gmax game communities.

"gmax enhances the production pipeline and allows game companies to turn their internal tools into valuable commodities that enhance the game-playing experience," said Paul Lypaczweski, executive vice president and general manager of Discreet. "We've all seen the massive popularity of mods (modifications) to games like Quake(TM) and Half-Life(TM); now, with gmax, game developers in every genre can enhance their workflow and give players the power to edit and create their own customized game content."

At the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Discreet is showing its own prototype game-pack editor for the popular game Quake III: ARENA. Developed internally at Discreet, the Quake III game pack demonstrates the enhanced workflow and flexibility of gmax when implemented in a way that fuses the art and design process under the 3ds max architecture. The Quake III game pack will be provided to gmax development licensees in `source-code' format -- offering a real-world example of how to implement gmax in any game production pipeline.

"Many game developers have asked us to demonstrate level design capabilities working within 3ds max," said Paul Perreault, gmax product manager. "The gmax Quake III game pack is our own proof-of-concept exercise to prove that gmax customers can integrate their own art, level design, and object property definition tools into one environment -- and leverage the strengths of 3ds max based technology at the same time. The gmax Quake III game pack includes a new Brush primitive, and other tools for Quake, never seen before in editors like QERadient(TM) and WorldCraft(TM) -- like the ability to export brushes and polygon data at the same time."

Game developers can generate gmax game packs with their own customized and styled user interface, MAXScript utilities, content, installation routine, and documentation for a specific game title that tightly links and integrates the gmax editing tools into the corresponding game engine. By allowing game developers to create and distribute gmax game packs, the consumer gets the same development tools and access to customized game experiences and other users' modifications.

"gmax is perfectly designed for the online PC environment," said Lance Alameda, manager of field operations (games and animation). "Not only is it the first time that a product has been designed to benefit the next generation of game developers and consumers, but the first time that a product has encouraged the creation of a worldwide online community where people are exchanging their own characters, levels, and environments."

In related gmax news -- Discreet said today that it had reached a sponsorship agreement with id Software(TM) to sponsor a new competition at this year's QuakeCon -- the "gmax speed-mapping challenge" -- more details to be provided at www.quakecon.org

Product Licensing and Availability

Complete information about Discreet and all of its products including gmax and 3ds max can be found on the Discreet(TM) web site at www.discreet.com or call 800/869-3504 or 514/393-1616.

About Discreet

Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in digital content creation, management, and distribution tools. Discreet develops systems and software for visual effects, 3D animation, editing, and production used in the creation of digital moving pictures for feature films, video, HDTV, broadcast graphics, interactive games and the Web. Discreet products are used extensively in film and video post-production, games and multimedia, broadcast graphics, programming, and on-air event coverage. For more information, contact any Authorized Discreet Reseller, call Discreet at 800/869-3504, or visit www.discreet.com.

Discreet, 3ds max and gmax are trademarks of Autodesk, Inc./Discreet Logic, Inc. in the United States and/or certain other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks are used solely for the purpose of identification and belong to their respective holders.(c) Copyright 2001. Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.