710601Coatsink - AUTOANIM8TRClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKAUTOANIM8TR is a project that seeks to develop an animation technology that can automate what is currently a labour-intensive and rote task-based element of the videogames development process. Combined global videogames revenues have grown significantly over the last decade from <$20bn in the early 2000s to a predicted $100bn by 2017. If licensing/merchandising, advertising, TV/video/Events and hardware sales are included, the total will be nearer $200bn by 2017 according to the Casual Games Sector Report by The Casual Games Association/Newzoo (2014). The games industry is also very competitive! New entrants and start-ups need every advantage they can get. There has been a rapid increase in the number of game studios In the UK (up from 448 to 620 in 2013 according to TIGA). Many of these studios are start-ups with small teams (60% have 5 or less employees) and focus on making games for smartphones and tablets. These companies need to be able to develop and update games very quickly; either to optimise aspects in response to in-game user data or simply to keep adding more content e.g. in a ‘games as a service’ (GAAS) scenario. The animation of in-game objects (e.g. characters and vehicles) is one of the most labour intensive aspects of the production process for most games and if that can be improved then it will significantly benefit games studios; saving them time and money and making them more lean and responsive.