Simutronics Selects DiamondWare for HeroEngine Virtual Worlds Game Platform

DiamondWare and Simutronics announce today the availability of DiamondWare’s high-definition 3D positional voice technology with Simutronics’ HeroEngine to bring real-life communications to massively multiplayer online games by combining 3D positioning with high-definition audio.

“DiamondWare’s 3D voice technology will quickly become a must-have feature, because it transforms the experience of online gamers,” said Neil Harris, EVP of Simutronics. “3D voice will help grow the market for online games. A player’s voice seems to originate from the online avatar, and this enables others to listen even during overtalk.”

“An immersive digital environment has to let anyone walk up to other people and interact. For voice to feel real, it needs to work the same way. These are new problems, requiring a new kind of technology. And that’s what we’ve built,” stated Keith Weiner, CEO of DiamondWare. “For a user to make sense of the large number of conversations occurring in any online world, three capabilities are needed. First, each voice’s 3D position helps the listener’s brain tune in or out by its direction, like at a crowded party. Second, voices get quiet as people move apart, so there are not too many conversations at once. Third, high-definition (32 kHz) gives the kind of sound quality found in digital home theater, as compared to the telephone.”

David Whatley, CEO and technology visionary of Simutronics, adds, “DiamondWare’s solution is the latest best-of-breed technology that is helping to keep HeroEngine at the forefront for MMO game developers.”

About DiamondWare

DiamondWare provides best-of-breed real time voice technology with ground-breaking 3D positioning and high-definition quality. Applications include games, simulators, conferencing, VoIP, and radio over IP. Customers include the US Special Forces, Navy, Air Force, as well as Second Life, game developers, carriers, and equipment manufacturers. DiamondWare has received acclaim and recognition from numerous organizations, including TMC Labs Innovation Award, Best of Show at Internet Telephony, Product of the Year from Communications Convergence magazine, and has been listed in the Pulver 100 list since 2004. The company has a number of patents pending. Founded in 1994, DiamondWare has headquarters in Mesa, Arizona. More information is available at http://www.dw.com.

About Simutronics

Simutronics Corp. is a leading creator of advanced technology platform for developers in the billion dollar global market for massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. Its HeroEngine platform reduces time to market by 1-2 years with an industry leading feature set in an integrated turnkey solution. The company also offers a proprietary catalog of MMO games. Founded in 1987 and known as “the original master of online games,” the firm has innovated in the multiplayer online game world with popular titles like GemStone, DragonRealms, and CyberStrike, all of which are still played by avid fans. The company operates a variety of websites including www.play.net and www.heroengine.com. Corporate information is online at www.play.net/corporate. Simutronics has offices in St. Charles, MO and Gaithersburg, MD. HeroEngine and Hero’s Journey are trademarks of Simutronics Corp., all rights reserved.