State of the art horseracing simulation
Whether generated automatically by the system, or using horses that are ‘owned’ by real people in a sophisticated management game, I-Race delivers stunning levels of realism.
With six tracks, dirt or grass surfaces, and with races run over eight different distances in real-world weather conditions, I-Race delivers a serious challenge to gamers and bettors alike.
I-Race can be configured for fully automated live broadcast, providing unbroken content 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. The system can also deliver pre-recorded races for random selection, encryption and play-out.
For VIS iTV’s broadcast partners, I-Race represents compelling content and outstanding value. As I-Race is entirely computer generated, it offers complete control over timing and format without any rights issues or third party involvement.
For gambling partners, I-Race can be configured for delivery over broadcast, internet, kiosk or mobile platforms. Whether generated live or selected randomly, I-Race can be delivered with a fully accessible form guide plus automatically generated odds.
Virtual events for gambling and media partners
VIS iTV was formed to design, develop and commission entertainment content for the global broadband and interactive digital television markets. A joint venture between Telewest Communications plc and VIS entertainment plc, the company launched its first product I-Race in autumn 2003.
I-Race is a state-of-the art horseracing simulation that can be generated and broadcast in real-time to near-photo levels of realism. It can be tailored for internet, interactive TV, mobile and kiosk applications and is being distributed via partnerships with gambling and media brands.
VIS iTV’s proprietary technology is the Real-time Animated Broadcast (RAB) platform. The RAB platform will form the basis for a number of additional future products.
Read the Media Guardian’s recent article on virtual horseracing.
The Real-time Animated Broadcast Platform
VIS iTV has developed innovative and proprietary solutions to the many challenges inherent in such an advanced broadcasting system.
The platform architecture is fully redundant so that any component can be removed and replaced without interruption to the broadcast. We have developed highly reliable software designed to run indefinitely.
Our rendering technology offers greater reliability and fault tolerance than has ever been seen before. The hardware and software is capable of generating full broadcast-quality 3D graphics continuously, and is easily configurable to output various broadcast standards and resolutions.
Transmission control is achieved by adopting best-of-breed technologies from broadcast television and computer gaming. Our control system automates CGI, overlays of text and graphics, audio cueing, and the mixing of live commentary.
Massively multiplayer databases store our game ‘worlds’ and are capable of handling large numbers of users accessing the game simultaneously. Our databases are completely platform agnostic, working happily across broadcast, wireless and internet protocol networks.