Wikipedia

Silicon Studio

Silicon Studio Corporation is a Japanese computer graphics technology company and HR services provider based in Tokyo. As a technology development company, Silicon Studio has produced several products in the 3D computer graphics field, including middleware software, such as a post-processing visual effects library YEBIS, real-time global illumination technology, such as Enlighten, and Mizuchi, a physically based rendering engine. As a video game developer, Silicon Studio has worked on many different titles for several gaming platforms, most notably, the action-adventure game 3D Dot Game Heroes on the PlayStation 3, the role-playing video games Bravely Default and Bravely Second: End Layer on the Nintendo 3DS, and Fantasica on the iOS and Android mobile platforms.

Silicon Studio Corporation
Native name
シリコンスタジオ株式会社
Shirikonsutajio Kabushiki-gaisha
Company typePublic (K.K.)
TYO: 3907
IndustryComputer graphics
video games
Founded2000 (2000)
Headquarters
Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
Teruyasu Sekimoto (Honorary Chairman)
Shinichiro Kajitani (President and CEO)
ProductsEnlgihten
YEBIS
3D Dot Game Heroes
Bravely Default
Bravely Second: End Layer
Number of employees
192 (as of November 2023)[1]
Websitesiliconstudio.co.jp English

History

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Silicon Studio was established in 2000. It was founded by Teruyasu Sekimoto, who was formerly the senior vice president of Silicon Graphics (SGI).[2] Specializing from the start in rendering technology, research and development methods, post-processing visual effects, game content development, and online game solutions, Silicon Studio created four main studios to achieve the highest productivity in these areas.[citation needed] The research team at Silicon Studio developed several techniques related to fields in visual effects shown at the Computer Entertainment Developers Conference, such as post effect processing and global illumination. While traditionally a provider of middleware solutions for Japanese game developers, Silicon Studio has grown as an international company with a greater focus on the visibility of their products abroad.[citation needed]

Silicon Studio has partnerships with a number of companies, including Allegorithmic from France, Audiokinetic from Canada, Stainless Games from the UK, Kunos Simulazioni and Milestone from Italy, Microsoft and Pixar from the USA, Papergames[3] from China, and a number of Japanese companies including Nintendo,[4] Bandai Namco, DeNA, Dimps, FromSoftware, Idea Factory, Koei Tecmo, Marvelous, Sega, and Sony Computer Entertainment.[5] Silicon Studio has also partnered with the following companies: Vivante,[6] OTOY,[7] Square Enix, and Matchlock.

In February 2015, Silicon Studio was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market.[8]

Video games

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Games developed by Silicon Studio:

Release date Titles Genre Publisher(s) Platform(s)
2007 Operation Darkness (Special Thanks) Tactical role-playing
Xbox 360
2009 Onore no Shinzuru Michi Wo Yuke Action
PlayStation Portable
3D Dot Game Heroes Action-adventure
PlayStation 3
2010 Three Kingdoms Card Battle Social role-playing Silicon Studio[9] Mobage
2012 Bravely Default Role-playing
Nintendo 3DS
Fantasica Tactical role-playing Silicon Studio[9] Mobage
Muramasa: Princess Commander Social card game
2014 Monster Takt Role-playing Silicon Studio[9] Android, iOS
2014 Age of Ishtaria Action role-playing
2015 Grand Sphere Role-playing Silicon Studio Android, iOS
Muramasa: Princess Commander -Miyabi- Role-playing card game
2015 Bravely Second: End Layer Role-playing
Nintendo 3DS
2017 Terra Battle 2 Role-playing
Android, iOS, PC

Middleware

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Enlighten

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Enlighten is middleware that processes global illumination in real time. In August 2017, Silicon Studio obtained the rights to the real-time global illumination product "Enlighten" from Geomerics.[10] It supports 3D lightmaps and real-time ray tracing to improve the simulation of light in complex environments. This technology enables performance optimization and workflow simplification across multiple platforms, from consoles to mobile devices. Enlighten is integrated into Unreal Engine and supports physically-based lighting, dynamic weather, and time-of-day effects.[11]

Titles that have used Enlighten include:[12]

As of September 2024, Enlighten supports 7 platforms. These platforms include: Windows, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android.

Bishamon – Bishamon is a particle effect authoring tool and runtime library that works for many gaming platforms. It is developed by a partner company and is integrated with the Orochi3 game development engine.[13]

Motion Portrait – Motion Portrait is a technology tool that can automatically animate a portrait. It supports both regular camera photos or non-realistic character drawings.[14]

YEBIS

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Development for YEBIS originally began some time around 2004.[15] Notable video games that utilize YEBIS include:[16]

Software that support YEBIS include:

As of October 2024, YEBIS supports 11 platforms. These platforms include: Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android.

YEBIS 2

YEBIS 2 is a post-processing middleware solution that allows developers to create high-quality lens-simulation optical effects.[19]

In June 2013, Silicon Studio announced that their next post-processing middleware solution, YEBIS 2, would be available for game developers on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One development network. At the E3 Expo 2013, Square Enix’s tech demo Agni’s Philosophy was shown using YEBIS 2 post-processing effects.[20]

In August 2013, the YEBIS 2 tech demo "Rigid Gems" was featured in Google’s official unveiling of the Nexus 7 mobile tablet.[21][22] YEBIS has also been used for the Xbox One launch title, Fighter Within.[23] In May 2014, Silicon Studio announced that their YEBIS 2 middleware was being utilized in the MotoGP 14 video racing game, developed by Milestone for PlayStation 4.[24] YEBIS 2 is also utilized by Square Enix's Luminous Studio engine, and the action role-playing game Final Fantasy XV which runs on the Luminous Studio engine.[17] In 2014, Allegorithmic announced that it had integrated YEBIS 2 with software such as Substance Designer 4.3 and Substance Painter,[25] which are supported by The Foundry's Modo software.[18] OTOY has also been using YEBIS for their real-time path tracing engine on PC.[15]

In 2015, Geomerics announced that it has integrated YEBIS 3 with the Forge lighting tool for the Enlighten 3 software.[26]

Engines

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OROCHI3 – Orochi3 is an all-in-one game development engine. It supports PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360 and PC.[27] It was used by Bandai Namco Entertainment's fighting game Rise of Incarnates.[citation needed] An earlier version of Orochi was also used by Square Enix's third-person shooter arcade game Gunslinger Stratos in 2012.[28]

Mizuchi

A new real-time graphics engine that debuted in 2014, compatible with the PC and PlayStation 4 platforms.[citation needed] It is called Mizuchi, with the full title, Mizuchi: The Cutting-Edge Real-Time Rendering Engine. It is intended to be used for various different applications, including video game development, films, architectural and automobile visualization, and academic research.[29]

In September 2014, a tech demo running on the engine, called "Museum", was revealed. It received a positive reception for the high visual quality of its real-time graphics.[30][31] In December 2014, Silicon Studio announced the Mizuchi engine will be compatible with the PC at 60 frames per second and the PlayStation 4 at 30 frames per second.[citation needed]

Stride

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Main article: Stride (game engine)

Stride, formerly known as Xenko and before that as Paradox, is a game development framework and C# game engine with an asset pipeline and a cross-platform runtime supporting iOS, Android, Windows UWP, Linux, and PlayStation 4. It was made free and open-source software in October 2014.[32] Xenko beta version 1.8x was then released finally out of beta in February 2017.[33] In April 2020, engine was renamed to Stride.[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Company Profile - Silicon Studio". www.siliconstudio.co.jp.
  2. ^ "The Innovation of Silicon Studio - Silicon Studio". www.siliconstudio.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  3. ^ "Papergamesがシリコンスタジオのグローバルイルミネーション技術を全面採用". ZDNET Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  4. ^ "Silicon Studio Promises To Bring Multiple Engines To The Nintendo Switch". My Nintendo News. 2017-04-21. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  5. ^ Official website
  6. ^ "Silicon Studio Partners with Vivante". Archived from the original on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  7. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "Outline of Initial Listing Issue" (PDF). Japan Exchange Group. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
  9. ^ a b c "Game Apps and Social Games - Development Showcase - Silicon Studio". www.siliconstudio.co.jp.
  10. ^ Editor-in-chief, James Batchelor (2017-06-15). "Silicon Studio acquires Enlighten tech from Geomerics". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2024-06-20. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ Contributor, Sponsored Article (2022-02-16). "Enlighten 4: pushing the boundaries of immersion with the next generation of illumination technology". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2024-10-10. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ "Case Studies | Enlighten - Real Time Global Illumination Solution | Silicon Studio". www.siliconstudio.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
  13. ^ "MATCHLOCK Corporation Middleware". November 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "Middleware | Motion Portrait | Silicon Studio Corporation". Archived from the original on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  15. ^ a b c "Yebis Engine Interview: Developing Physically Accurate Optical Post-Effects".
  16. ^ a b c "SHOWCASE - Featured Projects | YEBIS". www.siliconstudio.co.jp.
  17. ^ a b Linneman, John (March 21, 2015). "Tech Analysis: Final Fantasy 15 Episode Duscae". Eurogamer.
  18. ^ a b "Plug-ins, Kits & Partner Products | Modo | Foundry". www.foundry.com.
  19. ^ "FEATURES | Post Processing Effects Middleware YEBIS". www.siliconstudio.co.jp.
  20. ^ "Agni's Philosophy FINAL FANTASY REALTIME TECH DEMO". www.agnisphilosophy.com.
  21. ^ "- YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  22. ^ "Yebis 2 Demo Highlights the Power of Nexus 7". Archived from the original on 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  23. ^ "Fighter Within". Ubisoft.com.
  24. ^ "YEBIS 2 REVS UP OPTICAL EFFECTS ON NEXT GENERATION RACING TITLE MOTOGP™14". www.gamasutra.com.
  25. ^ "Substance tools to get Final Fantasy XV render tech | CG Channel". May 22, 2014.
  26. ^ "Geomerics improves real-time global illumination engine • GraphicSpeak". March 6, 2015.
  27. ^ "The all-in-One Game Engine｜OROCHI 3". Archived from the original on 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  28. ^ "GadgetellSolutions Media".
  29. ^ "Mizuchi - The Real-time Rendering Engine - Silicon Studio". www.siliconstudio.co.jp.
  30. ^ https://gamnesia.nintendoenthusiast.com/bravely-default-team-unveils-revolutionary-new-graphics-engine/ [dead link‍]
  31. ^ Hagedoorn, Hilbert. "Mizuchi Tech Demo Renders Real Time awesomeness". Guru3D.com.
  32. ^ "Xenko is Going Open Source". Stride Game Engine. 2014-10-17. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  33. ^ "Silicon Studio releasing Xenko Engine". GamesIndustry.biz. 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  34. ^ "Stride Game Engine - Xenko has been renamed to Stride". stride3d.net.
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