SEGA develops facial expression and speech engine

Want to see more expressive, and life-like expressions from characters in your console games? Sega Corp. has developed a software that "magically" matches the animated characters to the voice actor's spoken lines. The software's appropriate name, Magical V Engine, is currently being test-marketed by Sega.

Some of the features of this cool software is that it analyzes spoken lines in terms of voice and countenance. It can also discern four emotions (happiness, anger, surprise, sadness). This 200,900 yen (US 1,862) software can take care of 70-80 percent of the facial expression animations, but company tests has shown that it can complete the task to a 100 percent.

Sega is currently selling the Magical V Engine at a promotional price of 155,400 yen (US 1,385) until March.