SCE teams up with National Geographic

Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios has announced a partnership with National Geographic for its forthcoming PS3 title AFRIKA, reports +D Games.

The game sees players dropped into a large-scale ‘photorealistic’ recreation of the plains of Africa, where they can observe and watch the natural interactions of the various animals native to the region.

In 2006, National Geographic Ventures had an idea of developing a product that utilised both National Geographic’s extensive research data and the graphical power of the PS3 to create a simulation where players could experience the diversity of nature and the mystery and charm of animal ecologies. It came across the AFRIKA project in development at Sony, which shared similar goals, and the two companies decided to cooperate on the title.

National Geographic served as a supervisor to the project, overseeing the modelling, animation and behaviour of the animals featured. It has also used its research data and library of photographic and video resources – including material specially created for the game – to add an educational ‘Animal Library’ feature to the game.

It’s not the first time that National Geographic has been involved with games – it’s previously worked with other developers to make PS2 and PC games.

AFRIKA will launch in Japan on August 28th, but a Western release has not been announced.