Discreet has teamed up with Criterion Software to deliver new solutions specifically aimed at improving the game development pipeline between Discreet's 3ds max and Criterion's RenderWare software.
Both companies will collaborate on integrating the 3D content creation process with "on-target viewing" capabilities, allowing game developers to preview content on multiple game console platforms. Artists and developers should benefit from improved efficiencies in the development pipeline for console and mobile games.
This joint initiative is being delivered in response to an increased need for faster product delivery on the part of game developers and publishers. In addition, it will help enable them to repurpose existing game assets to maximize the opportunities presented by the emerging mobile gaming market platforms, such as Nokia's N-Gage.
The Discreet and Criterion partnership has evolved with both benefiting from an increase in the adoption by game developers of 3ds max and RenderWare. The combination of the former's 3D content creation tool and the latter's middleware technology has proven to be powerful. Mutual customers include Ubi Soft Entertainment and Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo Inc.
"Discreet and Criterion have been working alongside each other in the games market, delivering great workflow solutions for PlayStation2 and Xbox console development," states Discreet general manager and Autodesk evp Paul Lypaczewski. "We are excited to expand our relationship further to evolve the future game development pipeline, as well as to provide seamless technologies for games companies to deliver high quality content within the fast-growing mobile sector."
Criterion coo Mike King adds, "We are constantly striving to provide our customers with the very best tools with which they can effectively deliver the very best games on any platform."
Discreet, a division of Autodesk Inc., is based in Montreal (www.discreet.com). Its award-winning solutions are designed for digital media creation and delivery across all disciplines, including film and television VFX, color grading, animation, game development, web/interactive and design visualization.
Criterion Software, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canon Inc., is a leading provider of middleware solutions for the game development industry. Founded in 1993, Criterion (www.renderware.com) employs more than 220 people in Austin, Derby, Guildford, Paris and Tokyo. RenderWare is used extensively by Capcom, EA, Infogrames, Konami, Midway, Namco, Sammy Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sony Online, THQ and Ubi Soft.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
