Image Metrics, well known for facial design and animation, has acquired Big Stage, a company that specializes in creating in-game characters using photo data. Terms of the buyout were not released.
The company's technology is able to “instantly transform photographs into realistic 3-D, animated characters to represent themselves in virtual worlds, video games, video clips and online communities.”
Big Stage avatar creation will integrate with Image Metrics’ own animation technology soon. An update to the product suite will be offered sometime in Q3 2011.
“We are extremely pleased with the talent and technology coming from Big Stage,” said Image Metrics CEO Robert Gehorsam. “Their advanced yet easy-to-use avatar creation technology is the perfect platform to package with our facial animation technology for a complete life-like digital solution for both consumers and developers alike."
Big Stage joins Character-FX and FacePro as yet another company purchased by the facial animation giant.
