Image Metrics (OTC BB: IMGX) has pioneered the field of 3D facial animation over the past ten years through its revolutionary technologies. The company provides complete solutions for the interactive entertainment, film, television, and commercial markets, and through its consumer products, enables Internet users to create new immersive experiences in games and social networks. Over the past decade, Image Metrics has established itself as a leading facial animation solution provider for clients such as Activision-Blizzard, Rockstar, Microsoft, 2K Sports, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Sega, Sony, Bethesda, Double Negative, Motion Theory and Moving Picture Company. Image Metrics is headquartered in Santa Monica, California with its R&D center located in Manchester, UK.
Founded in the United Kingdom in 2000 by Ph.D's in computer vision, Image Metrics focused on facial animation after determining that it offered the most challenging test for its technology. Soon after, Image Metrics applied that technology to the games market on the Sony Computer Entertainment video game, The Getaway, in 2002. Rockstar Games also saw the benefits of Image Metrics facial animation early on, with our company providing facial animation for Rockstar titles as early as Manhunt in 2003.
Following the initial game industry success of Image Metrics in the U.K., the company saw great potential in the larger entertainment industry. It was especially interested in introducing its technology to the film industry, which constantly pushes the boundaries of photorealism in digital characters. In 2006, we opened our headquarters office in Santa Monica, CA. The company quickly expanded its client base, working with film and visual effects studios, commercial producers and signing on even more top-tier game developers.
Maintaining its commitment to breakthrough research and development, Image Metrics' facial animation solutions continue to evolve with the needs of its clients. In recent years, it helped its clients innovate gaming graphics with facial animation for Rockstar Games' blockbusters Grand Theft Auto IV, Red Dead Redemption, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed and the cinematics for Bungie's Halo: Reach. Image Metrics work has appeared in over 40 AAA titles, eight feature films, music videos, stage plays, and many other applications.
At SIGGRAPH 2008, Image Metrics' unveiled the astonishing photo-realistic demo "The Emily Project", created in partnership with the University of California's ICT Graphics Lab. It was promptly hailed worldwide as a new achievement in believable computer graphics.
Today, Image Metrics is a leading provider of performance-driven facial animation solutions. It has about 55 employees at its U.K. and U.S. operations. The company continues to produce highly compelling and highly realistic facial animation technology that connects global audiences to the digital characters they are watching or playing.
