One of the promises of next-generation gaming involves more realistic looking outdoor environments. One company that seeks to provide such visual enhancement is Interactive Data Visualization, Inc. (IDV), a middleware developer who specializes in the creation of such environments through its SpeedTreeRT technology which "delivers highly realistic trees and plants, with adjustable wind effects...and an included library of hundreds of tree, plant and marine models representing more than 170 core species." IDV announced today that the company had entered into a "tools and middleware" licensing agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) to provide the SpeedTreeRT technology to developers creating games for the upcoming PlayStation 3 next-generation gaming console.



According to IDV Vice President Michael Sechrest, Speedtree's ability to quickly create "beautiful, wind-blown and efficient foliage to real-time titles makes it ideal as a middleware choice for the ground-breaking graphical excellence of the PlayStation 3."

No further information was provided regarding what titles would use the SpeedTreeRT technology but once we find out, we'll be sure to let you know.