Viz Engine powers graphics for SA PSL
The Premier Soccer League (PSL), Africas largest soccer league, has chosen Vizrt solutions and Los Angeles-based graphic design firm Reality Check Studios to produce its graphics packages. PSL games are broadcast on Super Sport, an African all-sports television network. The government owned network, South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) also carries the PSL matches and is integrating the Vizrt graphics package designed by Reality Check Studios in collaboration with Johannesburg-based Universal Production.
Reality Check Studios created the graphics for Super Sport using Viz Artist animation software, and Vizrts powerful graphics rendering engine, Viz Engine, takes them to air. SuperSport was the first to launch the new graphics package for the Soweto Derby between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates. The match was seen live in more than 40 countries around the world last November.
Former head of the Norwegian Soccer League and current Chief Executive Officer of PSL, Kjetil P. Siem sought out Reality Check Studios to deliver the Vizrt solution to overhaul the look of the leagues matches on air: We wanted to set a new standard for African soccer broadcasts. To do that successfully, we needed a level of quality that is more in line with the North American and European standard. We consider Vizrt to be the best platform to achieve this quality shift. We brought Reality Check Studios on board to make it happen.
The Viz Artist and Viz Engine combination enabled designers from Reality Check Studios to create a standard look for all in-game graphics, which includes lineups, match clock and score, full screens, lower thirds and player Match-ups. According to Siem, having an overall look for the league was an important factor in the decision making process. As a soccer league, its important to be proactive in designing the look of the content broadcasters will use, Siem explained. Graphics is a much stronger tool for branding and commercialization than most people realize. When PSL took full control over our own TV product, graphics solutions including opening sequences, wipes and standard graphical elements were of very high importance. Vizrt and Reality Check were chosen as partners because PSL wanted the best products and solutions available. With Reality Check Studios and Vizrt, were part of the development and retain an element of control over the look of the broadcasts.
