Thanks to a new strategic alliance between Softimage and gaming middleware provider Criterion Software, developers using Criterion's RenderWare solutions now have access to a suite of plug-ins and import/export tools designed to facilitate the integration of sophisticated 3D content created in SOFTIMAGE|XSI.
"This agreement brings together two technology leaders that share a keen interest in addressing complex game development challenges," said Gareth Morgan, senior product manager for Softimage. "With tight interoperability between SOFTIMAGE|XSI and RenderWare, artists and developers using RenderWare middleware solutions can now benefit from the distinct design features found only in SOFTIMAGE|XSI, such as high-performance subdivision surface modeling, truly programmable realtime shaders and advanced character rigging and animation tools."
RenderWare is considered the most widely used suite of game development solutions that offers an extensive array of multi-platform, realtime production capabilities to generate characters, objects and environments that support sophisticated graphics created with independent 3D animation software. Licensed by all major publishers to support a more secure, lower risk, higher quality game development process, more than 500 PC and console titles using RenderWare have been developed to date.
Softimage Co. (www.softimage.com), a subsidiary of Avid Technology Inc. (www.avid.com), is an industry leader in 3D animation, 2D cel animation, compositing and special effects software, designed to address the demands of the film and commercial/broadcast and games/interactive industries.
Criterion Software (www.csl.com), recently acquired by Electronic Arts, develops hit video games, including BURNOUT and BLACK, is the world's leading games middleware provider and has offices in Austin, Guildford, Derby, Paris and Tokyo.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
