Member Article

Game on for developer with animation system

A Middlesbrough-based games developer has created a unique game and 2D animation system after receiving support through the Innovation Programme.

Coatsink Software, based at Boho One, has produced a unique development tool that bridges the gap between film animation and in-game animation – a usually complex and time-consuming process.

The entertainment company, which was established in 2009, has added to its in-house capabilities with the innovation; one of the first of its kind for the industry.

Having realised the potential to develop the new system, Coatsink’s creative director Tom Beardsmore approached the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) for support and successfully secured funding through the Innovation Programme to engage game programming specialists Pixelbrawl.

The system has been applied to Chip, a new robot themed mobile puzzle game, which itself represents a unique concept in gaming and includes new gameplay and artwork designed to draw in the audience.

Tom commented: “This innovation bridges the gap between film animation and in-game dynamic animations. A problem for many film animators has been understanding how to animate for games or explaining to game programmers like ourselves how they might reproduce their animations in code.

“Through our own research, we had picked up on a way of getting around this issue, one which would allow animations created using systems like Adobe After Effects to be exported in an efficient and useable format with no loss of quality.

“In order to take forward the development we had a funding requirement to outsource additional programming expertise and the BIC’s Innovation Programme was able to provide us with the help we needed. With their support we were able to kickstart our development plans and capitalise on this unique opportunity to streamline a process which had proven costly in terms of man hours and processing power.”

The Innovation Programme, delivered by the BIC, is designed to help SMEs to innovate. It offers expert industry advice and up to 40 per cent project funding towards schemes including product and service developments and improved business processes.

The Innovation Team is working with businesses the length and breadth of the region operating in sectors including renewable energy, manufacturing, environmental, cosmetics, software and digital.

Elizabeth Shaw, innovation manager at the BIC, said: “Coatsink Software is a perfect example of how a business can unlock its potential, and establish a unique selling point, by becoming more innovative.

“The Innovation Programme is designed to help SMEs in North East England to achieve their ambitions and stand out from the competition, and we are delighted to have been able to support Coatsink with their development which bolsters their in-house credentials, enabling them to operate in a more cost-effective way. I wish them every success for the future.”

The Innovation Programme utilises £724,000 of ERDF investment and is part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007 – 2013 to promote a step change in the region by encouraging North East Businesses to unlock their innovative potential.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section