Middleware company Havok, known best for its physics engine, today announced a new Independent Developer Program, "designed to enable independent game studios to execute their creative visions using Havok’s premium, developer-preferred middleware technology" and to help studios "minimize the overall risk and high cost associated with internal creation of the tools and technologies required to power today’s sophisticated video and PC games."
Through an annual agreement, independent developers that choose to enroll in the program will have the option to utilize whichever Havok products they wish, in what capacity, and when. Havok's products include Havok Animation, Havok AI, Havok Behavior, Havok Cloth, Havok Destruction and Havok Physics. Australian studio Krome is the first developer to enroll.
“Krome Studios is excited to be the first member of Havok’s recently announced Independent Developer Program,” said Robert Walsh, CEO and Co-founder of Krome Studios of Australia. “This program gives our business the flexibility to innovate our game development processes and strategies. Krome has the unique opportunity to develop multiple prototypes using Havok’s world class products and then, if required, to license those technologies from Havok. Havok has ascended from being just a middleware provider to becoming an instrumental business partner. Havok enables Krome to manage its risk during development and allows it the freedom to explore fresh possibilities with Havok’s technology.”
“Havok continues to be an industry enabler by providing the best resources at an affordable price to all independent developers,” said David O’Meara, Managing Director of Havok. “Havok is the tools and technologies provider of choice for developers worldwide and featured in over 250 games to date. We are excited to further extend our business model to enable independent game developers to innovate using the industry’s leading cutting edge technologies and tools.”
