morpheme builds on the existing UE3 character system by offering unique features for constructing very complex animation setups. Its external tool, morpheme: connect, enables developers to preview and modify elements in real time through the strategic application of state machines and blend trees. Like other components of UE3, morpheme's existing animation nodes can be extended to provide game-specific functions. Future feature sets developed by NaturalMotion will be incorporated into UE3 per the partnership.

"Unreal Engine 3 is already an inspired game design platform, offering much of the bleeding edge technology that developers need," said Torsten Reil, CEO of NaturalMotion. "By adding morpheme to Epic's suite, more studios will be able to take advantage of NaturalMotion's pioneering animation technology, allowing for a whole new generation of games with astonishingly realistic characters and animations."

"We aim to provide our licensees with the very best solutions in game development, and we are pleased to offer integration with NaturalMotion's highly refined animation middleware through this partnership," said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. "Enhancing UE3 in this manner will save our licensees time, and help them stay focused on optimizing their games. NaturalMotion offers outstanding animation technology, and we welcome them to the Integrated Partners Program."

Epic Games' Integrated Partners Program (IPP) establishes a formal business relationship with exceptional companies making cross-platform technologies which integrate with, and are complementary to, UE3. Under the IPP, Epic provides continuous UE3 source code access and full technical support to IPP members. Companies who join the IPP agree to provide a high level of technical support for UE3 licensees through Epic's established support channels, keep their implementations up-to-date with the latest engine versions, and collaborate with Epic on potential promotional and co-marketing efforts.

"With morpheme, the implementation of character animations within the game can finally be driven by our animators instead of our engineers," said Stephen Palmer, VP of Product Development at Gearbox Software. "The brilliant folks at NaturalMotion have recognized that artists need to have more control of this fundamentally artistic process, and have created a world-class animation system and tool-chain to support that concept."