The Gamecaster GCS3 virtual camera hardware enables game developers working within Unreal Matinee, UE3's director-class, in-game cinematics and cut scene production software, to layout scenes the same way they would shoot live action -- by panning, tilting, trucking and zooming Unreal Matinee's virtual camera in real time with real-life camera hardware. What's more, Unreal Matinee automatically keyframes the GCS3's movements, reducing the amount of time spent "camera keyframing" during the game development process.
"GCS3 integration with Unreal Matinee makes it easier for game developers and cinematographers to achieve immediate, fantastic results in virtual filmmaking," said Dr. Michael Capps, president of Epic Games. "With GCS3, developers can open the Unreal Editor, record live camera movement within a cinematic scene, and play back results instantly. It's that simple and it can save a huge amount of time on tasks that usually require manual keyframing."
The Gamecaster GCS3 virtual camera hardware has a stylized form factor, an HD LCD viewfinder, internal motion sensors and two proprietary thumbstick controls. The GCS3 can be mounted to a tripod or a shoulder mount for handheld operation, allowing game developers and digital filmmakers to be a part of the action as it happens.
"The ability to conduct real-time virtual cinematography within Unreal Matinee, and make shots feel alive and believable, is an instant benefit to game developers," said David MacIntosh, president of Gamecaster. "We're looking forward to watching the stunning in-game cinematics and cut scenes that UE3 licensees and UDK users will create with this powerful new feature."
"GCS3 puts added creative control in our hands by enabling us to produce authentic feeling handheld camera shots for cinematics more easily and quickly than with traditional keyframing," said Greg Mitchell, Epic's cinematics director. "The hardware design is particularly intuitive to people who, like me, have a history behind the camera. GCS3 feels like a motion picture camera in my hands and can be used with support equipment available in the production business."
Capps added, "Our partners program ensures that our licensees have access to integration code for industry-leading tools and middleware maintained in step with Unreal Engine 3 as it advances. Unreal Engine 3 licensees benefit from having the best tools and 3D applications work seamlessly with the engine out of the box."