Irish firm wins Emmy award for gaming effects

09/01/2008

IDA

By Jason O'Brien, Irish Independent
Wednesday January 09 2008

AN Irish software firm has won a prestigious award in the United States for its work in making computer games more realistic.

Havok, which is based in the Digital Hub in Dublin, won the Emmy from the United States National Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences in Las Vegas on Monday night.
The firm began as a Trinity College spin-off but was sold to Intel last year for over €70m.
It has developed a number of pioneering physics engines that have placed it at the forefront in special effects design for games and films.

"I am proud to accept this award on behalf of the entire team at Havok whose ongoing creativity and dedication has made our physics the global market leader in such a short space of time," David O'Meara, who is managing director of Havok, said yesterday.

Many of the titles for all the major games consoles currently on shop shelves, including the Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3, have Havok's physics, animation or behaviour technology including best-sellers such as 'Halo 3', 'Assassin's Creed' and 'Guitar Hero III'.
The technology has also been used in special effects in films such as 'Poseidon', 'The Matrix', 'Troy', 'Kingdom of Heaven' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

Link to article and video on RTE website