University of Houston System and TimeGate Partner for Motion Capture Technologies
SUGAR LAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council (GFBEDC) today announced a partnership between the University of Houston System (UHS) and TimeGate Studios (TimeGate) to establish a cutting-edge motion capture studio in Fort Bend County. The agreement between TimeGate, an award-winning, Fort Bend-based video game developer and publisher, and UHS includes equipment, facility hosting, training and mentoring for student interns.
“Students enrolled in UHS will have the opportunity to learn the latest technologies while being mentored by industry leaders,” says Dick Phillips, associate vice-chancellor for the University of Houston System at Sugar Land. “The end result will be a better trained workforce for the industry and more recognition and opportunity for our graduates. We are very fortunate to have programs already in place at the UHSSL campus, provided by System partner University of Houston-Victoria, that can be adapted to meet the needs of companies like TimeGate,” says Phillips. “UHS will continue to work with our off-campus partner HCC Southwest for transfer students from their established program and our on-campus partner Wharton County Junior College as they develop their gaming program.”
TimeGate’s Chairman of the Board, Alan Chaveleh, says: “This agreement represents the beginning of a long-term relationship with UHS to develop a world-class Computer Science and Digital Gaming Simulation program right in our backyard. The relationship will provide mutual benefit to both TimeGate and UHS through, among other things, furthering TimeGate’s in-house development capabilities and curriculum enhancement for UHS.”
The partnership between the UHS and TimeGate began with a series of conversations between TimeGate’s Chaveleh and the GFBEDC’s President Jeff Wiley. “Not many people are aware that Sugar Land is home to one of the best and largest video game developers in the world,” says Wiley. The agreement between UHS and TimeGate specifies that the University will purchase the motion capture equipment and TimeGate will provide space and the commercial talent to operate the studio at TimeGate’s Sugar Land headquarters. “This will foster an educational and entrepreneurial atmosphere that is mutually beneficial for all parties involved,” says Wiley.
“Students will be better prepared to enter the workforce with real-world, practical experience, while TimeGate will benefit from having a greater talent pool from which to select employees,” says Regina Morales, Director of Economic Development for the City of Sugar Land. “In turn, the overall community retains a uniquely skilled workforce with the potential to attract other entertainment and technology related companies for relocation.”
For more information about Fort Bend County, including a complete list of its recognitions and rankings, visit www.fortbendcounty.com.
About Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County is located in the Houston metropolitan area of southeast Texas. Its population is among the fastest growing in the United States and has been recognized as being among the most educated and diverse counties in the nation. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Fort Bend County has more than 585,000 residents and ranks 1st for growth out of the ten largest counties in Texas. Fort Bend’s vibrant economy has also received national recognition: the County ranked 5th in the nation for job growth according to CNN/Money Magazine in 2010. For more information about Fort Bend County including a complete list of recognitions, visit us at www.fortbendcounty.com or on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council
The Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council is a public-private partnership established in 1986 to promote economic vitality and to ensure quality development in Fort Bend County. The GFBEDC contributes to the advancement of business, quality growth, and economic development, so that the region’s vibrant economy will continue to expand, bringing the benefits of prosperity to every corner of the county. For more information about the GFBEDC, visit www.fortbendcounty.org or call (281) 242-0000.
About City of Sugar Land
Founded as a sugar plantation in the mid 1800s and incorporated in 1959, Sugar Land is located in Fort Bend County, 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston. Sugar Land is a full-service municipality providing the highest quality of affordable services to meet the needs of its citizens. Master-planned communities, welcoming neighborhoods, outstanding schools, libraries, civic organizations and other resources enhance home values and create a sense of belonging. Sugar Land is named one of America's "Safest Cities," a distinction based on an analysis of FBI crime statistics. The distinction makes Sugar Land the safest city in Texas. Sugar Land has also been recognized as one of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. by CNN/Money Magazine in 2006 and 2008.
About TimeGate Studios
TimeGate Studios Inc. (www.timegate.com) is a world-class independent entertainment company specializing in redefining video game genres. The company is dedicated to bringing next-generation, cutting-edge gaming experiences to multiple platforms. Located in Sugar Land, TX, the company has scored major successes on all major platforms since its founding in 1998. TimeGate distributes its original IP games at retail, through digital download services and via TimeGate's online storefront.
About the University of Houston System
The University of Houston System is the state's only metropolitan higher education system, encompassing four universities and two multi-institution teaching centers. The universities include the University of Houston, the University of Houston-Downtown, the University of Houston-Clear Lake and the University of Houston-Victoria. The centers include the University of Houston System at Sugar Land and the University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch.
About Motion Capture Technology
Motion capture technologies are employed by film, animation and gaming studios to record natural movements and render them in a computerized environment. As an example, the recent film “Avatar” used motion capture technologies to create the computer-generated Na’vi race of people.
Contacts
Marion, Montgomery, Inc.
Robin Paoli, 713.523.7900
rpaoli@mmihouston.com
or
Erica Eiseline, 713.523.7900
eeiseline@mmihouston.com
