As a major, worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment, Vivendi Games works with industry-leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Paramount, and conducts business in 75 countries around the world.
The company’s large number of studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, Radical Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment and Massive Entertainment, and their library contains over 700 titles and features some of the most popular brands and franchises in the game industry today. Their ever-expanding portfolio of titles and games includes World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Empire Earth, Leisure Suit Larry and F.E.A.R. to name a few. World of Warcraft from Blizzard Entertainment, is one of the world’s most popular games with more than 6.5 million customers worldwide as of May 2006, and that label’s track record alone includes nine No. 1 selling games and multiple ‘Game of the Year’ awards.
In addition to the vast portfolio, the company offers its award-winning games on everything from PCs, video game consoles, handheld devices and the Internet. So, when it was time to update their video post-production facilities, it made perfect sense to outfit their production team with the most robust, multi-platform, shared media storage product that a technology company had to offer.
“We are a video game production and post-production facility — we deal with voiceover, game design, early build development, post-production, effects, capture, editing, storage, and backup of all data. We shoot all HD footage (live action) in the DVCProHD codec and capture all game footage in the same format.” – Josh Bartos, Computer/Video Tech Supervisor
When Studio Network Solutions (SNS) was called in to help, they were tasked to replace Vivendi Games’ existing storage system. Working on the original system was laborious and therefore resulted in significantly slower post-production output at the company. SNS’ solution was a custom 6.4 TB A/V SAN PRO™ Fibre Channel workflow solution for the Media Department’s six edit bays.
“With daily deadlines in this HD Video age, a reliable storage/workspace solution was needed and SNS has provided Vivendi Games with just that. We needed all of our digital video content to be housed and accessed by all six of our in-house edit bays. Now all SAN access is in use 24/7/365 and all projects are used with the SNS system, it’s our content storage provider.”
Industry: Game Development
Working Environment: Final Cut Pro
About SNS
Studio Network Solutions (SNS) specializes in the development of shared storage hardware and software solutions for the Media and Entertainment industry. Since day one we’ve applied unmatched ingenuity and experience to create outstanding products that exceed industry expectations while providing outstanding support to our customers.
Our customers range in size from individual freelance engineers to multinational media powerhouses. Our solutions are used to produce everything from books on tape to full track scoring for major Hollywood films. Our products have been at the technical core of the music you listen to, the games you play, the shows you watch and the movies you see.
We have a valued network of resellers located throughout the United States… and the world. Whether you have a product question or you’re ready to place an order, we encourage you to contact us today.