SQUARE ENIX Unveils Real-time CG Tech Demo Using DirectX 12 at Microsoft Build - World's Highest Quality Real-time CG Created With Cutting-edge Technology
SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) today announced "WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry]," a
real-time tech demo that utilizes DirectX 12, a Windows10 based new generation API, at the
Microsoft Build Developer Conference.
As part of a research project that studies a variety of next generation technologies,
Square Enix conducted extensive research on real-time CG technology utilizing DirectX 12
in collaboration with Microsoft and NVIDIA Corporation. Revealed today as a technology
demonstration titled WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry], the results of this research will be
incorporated into Square Enix's LUMINOUS STUDIO engine, and is intended for use in future
game development.
WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] has achieved some of the world's highest-level quality of
real-time CG. It portrays the human emotion of crying-- one of the most difficult
representations for existing real-time CG technology. The emotion is displayed in a level
of quality which has never been seen before with a real-time CG animated character teemed
with life.
WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] was created mainly by the developers of AGNI'S PHILOSOPHY -
FINAL FANTASY REALTIME TECH DEMO, a tech demo for LUMINOUS STUDIO revealed in June 2012.
Square Enix research enabled the real-time CG to feature even more refined graphics and
improved processing capabilities in WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry].
"Our team has always pursued cutting-edge pre-rendered and real-time CG," commented
Hajime Tabata, head of the next-generation technology research project and Division
Executive of Business Division II of Square Enix Co., Ltd. "As a part of the technical
development, we created this demo using world-class, real-time CG technology with generous
support from leading-edge software and hardware providers - Microsoft's Windows10/DirectX
12 and NVIDIA's GeForce GTX. The efforts from this project will power future game
development as well as FINAL FANTASY XV, currently a work in progress."
"Square Enix is working on this next-generation research project as a showcase for our
technology and creativity which will lead the future of Square Enix," said Yosuke Matsuda,
president and representative director of Square Enix Co., Ltd. "The results will be used
to further advance the quality and technical expertise of our games. We will continue to
pursue this research on cutting-edge technologies including high-end real-time graphics
using the innovative DirectX 12."
Furthermore, this tech demo was made possible by using NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN
X-4-way SLI PC.
"We've designed DirectX 12 to deliver industry-leading performance across the widest
range of form factors and graphic cards," said Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice
president and chief evangelist at Microsoft. "The work Square Enix is doing plays a
valuable role in exhibiting the potential of DirectX 12 to enable even greater innovation
and optimized game performance."
"WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] features the most ambitious real-time, cinematic-quality
graphics ever undertaken," said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO, NVIDIA. "Square Enix's
achievement is nothing short of breathtaking. I am delighted that their amazing team
turned to the NVIDIA GAMEWORKS EFFECTS STUDIO to help bring WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] to life.
This is a preview of the beauty and artistry of video games to come."
Square Enix will continue to drive research and development of new technologies in
game development and to provide the world's highest quality entertainment content to
consumers.
The WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] will also be showcased at "de:code 2015," a developer
conference hosted by Microsoft Japan, to take place May 26-27 in Tokyo, Japan.
(c)2015 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.
Windows 10 introduces DirectX 12, the next version of the 3D graphics pipeline that
powers Windows. DirectX 12 brings faster and more efficient API performance than ever
before. Your game can feature richer scenes, more objects, more impressive effects, and
can better utilize modern graphics hardware. DirectX 12 will provide optimized graphics
across Windows devices, including phone, PC, and Xbox One.
AGNI'S PHILOSOPHY, LUMINOUS STUDIO, DRAGON QUEST, EIDOS, FINAL FANTASY, SPACE
INVADERS, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TAITO and TOMB RAIDER are registered
trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix Group. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.
Contact
U.S. / David Yang, Square Enix, Inc., dyang@us.square-enix.com
UK & PAL / Alex Huhtala, Square Enix Ltd., alexhu@square-enix.com
Japan / Corporate Communications, Square Enix Co., Ltd. ccir@square-enix.com