Just got off the media “press” conference call. Some notes:
* timeline: 4 to 6 months until the deal closes
* Alias President and CEO, Doug Walker, will stay on in a transitionary roll, but expects to “leave Alias” some time after the aqcuision is finaled.
* the deal was for the aquision of Alias (Maya, StudioTools, etc.) for $186 million “cash”
* Alias made $86 million in revenues last year
* Alias currently has 600 employees in different locations (so.cal and toronto)
* The two companies will remain independant until the deal closes
* The deal does not impact any current product plans or release schedules
* Initial plans sound like the intention is to maintian Max and Maya as products and to focus development on inter-operability between the two (Workflow, pipeline, PLEASE!)
* audio of the press conference will be available at www.autodesk.com/press
* Alias personell and products will be integrated into the “proper” ADSK business divisions, with entertainment products falling under Autodeask Media and Entertainment division (montreal?), and design applications being moved to the ADSK design tools division (san francisco?)
* Rebranding? Alias has a “premier” name and ADSK plans to use that name “in any way possible” — the Discreet name is currently tied to AME systems tools. No mention of changes/branding with regards to 3ds Max. No commitments to any final names
Autodesk’s main acquisition info portal — ooh! a powerpoint!
FAQ (see note on this here)
Investors Press Conference Webcast
links will be added as things become available.
From FAQ: Interesting….
Q23: What platforms do the Autodesk 3ds Max and Alias’ Maya software support?
A23: 3ds Max and Maya software products differ greatly in supported platforms. Maya software supports Linux, Windows, and Macintosh operating systems, making it the top choice for platform-sensative segments like high-end film, whereas 3ds max software is a Windows application that is used most often in world-building for games.
We expect customers to benefit from the wide range of platforms upon which the combined company will offer its products.
so… max is the game platform now and those doing production with it can [retool (ed. expletive deleted)].
the buzz elsewhere:
highend3d
cgchannel
cgsociety
creative mac
RIP
Imagine…
cgtalk
seventh sign of the apocalypse?
good thread on the max forums
quick history: in June 2004, Accel-KKR acquired Alias from SGI for US $57.5 million
