Just how close will Rockstar take Grand Theft Auto 4 (Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3) to reality? Apparently, the developers went as far as acquiring NaturalMotion's Euphoria technology to ensure drunkenness in the game is the most believable to date. Know what we're talking about by heading over to the full article.

NaturalMotion Ltd. has announced that it has shipped morpheme 1.3, a middleware solution for popular consoles such as the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, and the Wii This version of the application adds support for Epic's Unreal Engine 3, live debugging of remote runtime targets, implementation of Inverse Kinematics and more. If you want to find out what else this middleware solution can deliver, head on over to the full article for more information.

NaturalMotion recently signed a deal with critically-acclaimed developer Rockstar Games involving its Euphoria engine. This time, the 3D character animation maker is proud to announce the release of Morpheme Animation Package for the PS3, 360, and PC.

The package is composed of two core components namely morpheme:runtime and morpheme:connect. NaturalMotion clarified that this is entirely separate from Euphoria. CEO Torsten Reil explained,

We developed Morpheme to improve the workflow for next-generation game developers. By backing up a next-gen animation engine with a strong 3D authoring application, animators and programmers are now able to work hand-in-hand, in real time, to create fluid in-game animation that truly reflects the quality of the source data.

We're not developers here but judging from what the CEO explained, it looks like the consoles and the PC would be happy to get a doze of this Morpheme. If you really want to know, here are the two components of the package:

• Morpheme:runtime is a run-time engine optimized for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, and ships with full source code, as well as support for customizable blend nodes, rigid body dynamics, and IK.
• Morpheme:connect is a 3D authoring application that allows animators to graphically author blend trees and transition logic (based on hierarchical finite state machines), modify and edit parameters through sliders, and view the results in real time. morpheme:connect includes 2D and 3D viewports for authoring and visualization, support for live game pad control, script support (Lua), and is fully extensible through plug-ins.

Are you familiar with the company NaturalMotion and its Euphoria Engine? No? Well, soon, you will be. NaturalMotion is actually the first company to create 3D character animation software based on DMS or Dynamic Motion Synthesis. In case you're wondering why this matters to you, please take note that the company just announced a partnership with Rockstar Games.

NaturalMotion said that Rockstar Games will now be including Euphoria in its upcoming next-gen titles. The engine will simulate the human body and nervous system that allows characters to be fully interactive, allowing them to act differently every time. CEO Torsten Reil remarked,

In Rockstar, we have found a partner that shares this vision, and is renowned for creating some of the most ground-breaking and immersive games in the industry. We are thrilled and honored to work with a partner of such high caliber, and look forward to helping create amazing titles.

Finally, NaturalMotion promises to make announcements regarding specific titles *cough...GTA IV...cough* soon.