Shadow20002
10-29-2003, 09:42 AM
ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions, today announced that Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games), a leading global publisher of multi-platform interactive entertainment, has incorporated ScanSoft's speech recognition software into its newest PlayStation(R) 2 release, SWAT: Global Strike Team (GST). With this agreement, VU Games has licensed ScanSoft's Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) 1600 speech recognition software to provide speech-enabled command and control for a variety of pivotal game actions and events in SWAT: GST, available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system.
SWAT: GST allows multiple players to interact with characters within the game through ScanSoft's speech recognition software. SWAT: GST is the latest in a new generation of games and applications that use the power of speech recognition to provide advanced command and control of the gaming environment, as well as real-life interaction for gaming enthusiasts. Players have the unique ability to issue squad commands to in-game teammates and speak compliance orders to both in-game hostages and suspects.
"SWAT: Global Strike Team's unique use of speech recognition sets a new standard for interactive play in home video games," said Nicholas Longano, Group VP Marketing, Vivendi Universal Games. "Partnering with ScanSoft has enabled Vivendi Universal Games to provide a new accent on tactical combat game play, and we're excited to push the limits of the gaming experience with this new offering."
SWAT: GST gives players the option to use speech recognition technology to issue commands, in place of using the handheld game pad, as they lead a team of military specialists in the fight against worldwide terrorist organizations. Within the game, there are a variety of verbal commands associated with each action. These voice commands are used within the following command categories:
-- Team Commands: Team commands are used to initiate orders to in-game team members and to designate an in-game teammate to perform the order. Commands can be directed to the entire team or select individuals within the team.
-- Order Commands: Order commands tell a teammate or entire team what actions to perform such as issuing the command "fall in" to instruct a teammate to regroup.
-- Compliance Commands: Compliance commands are used to get hostages to drop and get out of the way and to get suspects to lay down their weapons.
"Speech technology continues to be at the forefront of changing trends for all types of industries," said Alan Schwartz, senior vice president and general manager of Embedded Speech Solutions at ScanSoft. "Working with Vivendi Universal Games further expands ScanSoft's reach into the home entertainment marketplace. We see this market as an important growth opportunity for ScanSoft and we'll continue to work with Vivendi Universal and our other home gaming partners to develop more advanced systems for the gaming environment."
Optimized for PlayStation 2(R), ScanSoft's ASR 1600 SDK increases player interactivity and improves the overall gaming experience. The speech recognition engine is ideal for basic command and control functions as well as enabling the end-user to perform complex operations simply by speaking.
SWAT: GST with the optional speech recognition system from ScanSoft will be available on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and will ship to retailers worldwide early November 2003 for a suggested retail price of $49.99 with an ESRB "Mature" rating.
About ScanSoft Embedded Speech Solutions (ESS)
ScanSoft's Embedded Speech Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of speech technologies and applications used within automobiles, handsets, consumer devices, talking dictionaries and electronic games. ESS solutions provide an easy-to-use interface for communicating with devices that relieves common frustrations and hazards, or creates a compelling new form of interaction. ESS supplies its leading speech technologies and applications to companies worldwide including Citroen, Clarion, Delphi, Ford, General Motors, Motorola, Nokia, Pioneer, Sony and Visteon.
Source@ (http://www.scansoft.com/embedded/)
SWAT: GST allows multiple players to interact with characters within the game through ScanSoft's speech recognition software. SWAT: GST is the latest in a new generation of games and applications that use the power of speech recognition to provide advanced command and control of the gaming environment, as well as real-life interaction for gaming enthusiasts. Players have the unique ability to issue squad commands to in-game teammates and speak compliance orders to both in-game hostages and suspects.
"SWAT: Global Strike Team's unique use of speech recognition sets a new standard for interactive play in home video games," said Nicholas Longano, Group VP Marketing, Vivendi Universal Games. "Partnering with ScanSoft has enabled Vivendi Universal Games to provide a new accent on tactical combat game play, and we're excited to push the limits of the gaming experience with this new offering."
SWAT: GST gives players the option to use speech recognition technology to issue commands, in place of using the handheld game pad, as they lead a team of military specialists in the fight against worldwide terrorist organizations. Within the game, there are a variety of verbal commands associated with each action. These voice commands are used within the following command categories:
-- Team Commands: Team commands are used to initiate orders to in-game team members and to designate an in-game teammate to perform the order. Commands can be directed to the entire team or select individuals within the team.
-- Order Commands: Order commands tell a teammate or entire team what actions to perform such as issuing the command "fall in" to instruct a teammate to regroup.
-- Compliance Commands: Compliance commands are used to get hostages to drop and get out of the way and to get suspects to lay down their weapons.
"Speech technology continues to be at the forefront of changing trends for all types of industries," said Alan Schwartz, senior vice president and general manager of Embedded Speech Solutions at ScanSoft. "Working with Vivendi Universal Games further expands ScanSoft's reach into the home entertainment marketplace. We see this market as an important growth opportunity for ScanSoft and we'll continue to work with Vivendi Universal and our other home gaming partners to develop more advanced systems for the gaming environment."
Optimized for PlayStation 2(R), ScanSoft's ASR 1600 SDK increases player interactivity and improves the overall gaming experience. The speech recognition engine is ideal for basic command and control functions as well as enabling the end-user to perform complex operations simply by speaking.
SWAT: GST with the optional speech recognition system from ScanSoft will be available on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and will ship to retailers worldwide early November 2003 for a suggested retail price of $49.99 with an ESRB "Mature" rating.
About ScanSoft Embedded Speech Solutions (ESS)
ScanSoft's Embedded Speech Solutions (ESS) is a leading provider of speech technologies and applications used within automobiles, handsets, consumer devices, talking dictionaries and electronic games. ESS solutions provide an easy-to-use interface for communicating with devices that relieves common frustrations and hazards, or creates a compelling new form of interaction. ESS supplies its leading speech technologies and applications to companies worldwide including Citroen, Clarion, Delphi, Ford, General Motors, Motorola, Nokia, Pioneer, Sony and Visteon.
Source@ (http://www.scansoft.com/embedded/)