Star Wars game developer LucasArts has confirmed to Kotaku that it’s making cutbacks at its internal studios today. Word from those affected by LucasArts layoffs indicating deep cuts. One former LucasArts developer, let go from the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II team, called today’s round of layoffs a “massacre,” with an estimated 60 people [...]

Animation Dynamics Inc. (ADi) announced today that Nick Nakadate, an animator with extensive feature film and TV commercial experience, has joined the company as 3D Technical Director. In this role, Nick will be primarily responsible for the post-production 3D process, including texturing, lighting and stylizing objects and scenes. He will also be actively involved in [...]

Facial animation firm Image Metrics is announcing today that it has acquired FacePro to make lip-synching services for video games and movies more affordable. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Image Metrics, which is publicly traded in the over-the-counter market, has acquired Idaho-based FacePro and will integrate its tools into Image [...]

Autodesk has announced the acquisition of Illuminate Labs, makers of the popular Beast middleware and Turtle plugin, lighting solutions for the games industry. Terms of the transactions were not discussed. “We welcome Illuminate Labs customers and employees to Autodesk,” said Marc Stevens, VP Games, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. “Technological progress is a mainstay of the [...]

Framestore and Nokia today launched a competition inviting amateur animators and VFX enthusiasts to contribute ideas for an exciting new special effect for their new project, FX Studio. FX Studio App Competition from Framestore on Vimeo. FX Studio is a mobile and web-based application that allows people everywhere to add a range of Hollywood-quality special [...]