RenderWare
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| RenderWare | |
|---|---|
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| Developed by | Criterion Software |
| OS | Windows, Gamecube, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PlayStation Portable |
| Genre | Game engine (middleware) |
| Licence | Proprietary |
| Website | http://www.renderware.com/ |
RenderWare (RW) is computer and video game middleware from Criterion Software.
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[edit] Description
RenderWare is a 3D API and graphics rendering engine used in computer games, Active Worlds, and some VRML browsers. RW is developed by Criterion Software Limited (which used to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon but is now owned by Electronic Arts).
It originated in the era of software rendering on PCs prior to the appearance of GPUs, competing with other libraries such as Argonaut's BRender and RenderMorphics' Reality Lab (the latter was acquired by Microsoft and became Direct3D).
RenderWare's principal commercial importance was in providing an off-the-shelf solution to the difficulties of PS2 graphics programming. It was almost describable as "Sony's DirectX" during this era - although the name refers to surrounding framework and toolchain middleware.
Prior to version 2, an external programming or scripting language was required to take advantage of RenderWare. RenderWare 2, on the other hand, has its own internal scripting language: RWX (RenderWare script). However, in RenderWare 3 RWX support was removed. This next iteration focused on a binary model file format. As with the previous version increment, Criterion removed support for RW3's formats in RenderWare 4.
RenderWare was widely cross-platform: It ran on Windows as well as Apple Mac OS X-based applications and many video game consoles such as GameCube, Wii, Xbox, Xbox360, PlayStation 2, Playstation 3, and PlayStation Portable.[citation needed]
RenderWare is no longer available for purchase, although EA still honours old contracts, meaning that external developers who licensed the technology before the Criterion acquisition may still use the technology. What was RenderWare 4 has dissolved into the rest of EA internal tech.[citation needed]
Bing Gordon, an EA executive, has stated that RenderWare didn't perform well enough for next-gen and that RenderWare didn't stand up to competition from Epic Games. He has also stated that the RenderWare team is "mostly a dev house" (as opposed to EA still using RenderWare).[1]
[edit] Games
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It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article entitled List of RenderWare games. (Discuss) |
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This article or section needs to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please help improve this article with relevant internal links. (September 2007) |
RenderWare is used throughout the video game industry. Some of the games using RW include:
| Game | Year | Platform(s) | Publisher/Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFL Live 2004 | 2003 | Playstation 2, Xbox | |
| AFL Live Premiership Edition | 2004 | Playstation 2 | |
| AFL Premiership 2005 | 2005 | Playstation 2 | |
| AFL Premiership 2006 | 2006 | Playstation 2 | |
| Airport Tycoon | 2000 | PC | |
| Airblade | 2002 | Playstation 2 | Criterion Software (The makers of the RenderWare engine) |
| Apache Air Assault | PC | ||
| Battlefield 2: Modern Combat | 2006 | Playstation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360 | |
| Black | 2006 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, | Electronic Arts |
| Bleach: Erabareshi Tamashii | 2005 | PlayStation 2 | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Blitz: The League | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Midway Games |
| Bratz: Rock Angelz | 2004 | Playstation 2, GameCube, PC | Blitz Games, AWE Games |
| Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon | 2003 | PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | The Adventure Company, THQ |
| Bully | 2006 | PlayStation 2 | Rockstar Games |
| Burnout | 2001 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Acclaim Entertainment |
| Burnout 2: Point of Impact | 2002 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Acclaim Entertainment |
| Burnout 3: Takedown | 2004 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Electronic Arts |
| Burnout Legends | 2005 | Nintendo DS, PSP | Electronic Arts |
| Burnout: Revenge | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360 | Electronic Arts |
| Burnout Dominator | 2007 | Playstation 2, PSP | Electronic Arts |
| Burnout Paradise | 2008 | Playstation 3 , Xbox 360 | Electronic Arts |
| Call of Duty: Finest Hour | 2004 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Activision Publishing |
| Chinese Paladin 4 | 2007 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Parent Company in Taipei)/Softstar technology (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd. |
| Chinese Paladin ONLINE | 2008 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| City Crisis | 2001 | PlayStation 2 | Syscom Entertainment, Take Two Interactive Software |
| Cold Fear | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC | Darkworks, Ubisoft |
| Cold Winter | 2005 | PlayStation 2 | Vivendi Universal Games Inc. |
| Commandos: Strike Force | 2006 | PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | Eidos Interactive |
| Crackdown | 2007 | Xbox 360 | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Darkwatch | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Capcom Entertainment |
| Dream of Mirror Online | 2004~Now | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| Eve Burst Error Plus | 2003 | PlayStation 2 | Game Village |
| Evil Dead: Regeneration | 2005 | Playstation 2, Xbox, Windows | Cranky Pants Games, THQ |
| Evolution GT | 2006 | Playstation 2, PC | Black Bean, Milestone |
| Football Generation | 2003 | Windows | 1C Company, FX Interactive, Take 2 Interactive |
| Frank Herbert's Dune | 2001 | PlayStation 2, PC | Cryo Interactive Entertainment |
| Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Midway Home Entertainment Inc. |
| G-Nome | 1998 | PC | 7th Level |
| Grand Theft Auto III | 2001 | PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | Rockstar Games |
| Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | 2004 | PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | Rockstar Games |
| Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | 2002 | PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | Rockstar Games |
| Headhunter Redemption | 2004 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | SEGA of America |
| Kamen Rider: Seigi no Keifu | 2005 | PlayStation2 | Bandai, Cavia |
| kill.switch | 2003 | PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | Hip Interactive, Namco Hometek |
| Madagascar | 2005 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | Activision Publishing |
| Manhunt | 2003 | Windows, PlayStation2, Xbox | Rockstar North |
| Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne | 2003 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Rockstar Vienna |
| MLB 2K5 | 2004 | Playstation 2, Xbox | |
| Mortal Kombat: Armageddon | 2006 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, Wii | Midway Home Entertainment Inc. |
| Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance | 2002 | Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Midway |
| Mortal Kombat: Deception | 2004 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Midway Home Entertainment |
| Nana | 2005 | PlayStation 2 | Konami |
| NBA Ballers | 2004 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Midway, Midway Games |
| NFL Blitz 20-03 | 2002 | Playstation 2, Gamecube, Microsoft Xbox | Midway |
| NRL Rugby League | 2003 | PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | Tru Blu Entertainment |
| ObsCure | 2004 | PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | DreamCatcher Interactive, MC2 France, MC2-Microïds |
| Outlaw Golf 2 | 2004 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Global Star Software |
| Pro Evolution Soccer 2 | 2002 | PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PC | Konami |
| Red Jets | 2006 | PC | InterActive Vision |
| Rich Man 7 | 2003 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Parent Company in Taipei)/Softstar technology (Beijing) Co.,Ltd. |
| Rich Man 7 Plus:Touring Formosa/Touring Hongkong | 2004 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Parent Company in Taipei)/Softstar technology (Beijing) Co.,Ltd. |
| Rich Man 8 | 2006 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Parent Company in Taipei)/Softstar technology (Beijing) Co.,Ltd. |
| Scorched Planet | 1996 | PC | Virgin Interactive / Criterion Games |
| S.C.A.R. - Squadra Corse Alfa Romeo | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC | Black Bean, Milestone |
| Secret Weapons Over Normandy | 2003 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC | Lucas Arts / Totally Games |
| Sonic and the Secret Rings | 2007 | Wii | SEGA / Sonic Team |
| Sonic Heroes | 2003 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | SEGA / Sonic Team USA |
| Sonic The Hedgehog | 2006 | Playstation 3, Xbox 360 | SEGA / Sonic Team |
| SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom | 2003 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | THQ |
| Stardom 3 | 2005 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| Stardom 3 Plus:Valse of Fame | 2006.01 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| Stardom 3 Plus:Argent Fantasy | 2006.12 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| Stardom 3 Plus:Sweet Melody | 2007 | PC | Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| Super-Bikes Riding Challenge | 2006 | Playstation 2, PC | Black Bean, Milestone |
| Tech Deck: Bare Knuckle Grind | 2005 | Xbox | Visionscape Interactive |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Melee | 2005 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC | Konami |
| The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer | 2005 | Mac OS X, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | THQ |
| The Incredibles | 2004 | Mac OS X, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Windows, Xbox | D3 Publisher, Noviy Disk, Snowball.ru, THQ |
| The Movies | 2005 | Windows | Lionhead Studios |
| The Sims 3 | 2008/2009 | Windows, Playstation 3 | Maxis (presumed) |
| The Settlers: Heritage of Kings | 2004 | Windows | Ubisoft, Blue Byte |
| The Settlers: Rise of an Empire | 2007 | Windows | Ubisoft, Blue Byte |
| The Warriors | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Rockstar Toronto, Rockstar Games |
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 | 2001 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | Neversoft, Activision |
| Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 | 2002 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | Neversoft, Activision |
| Tony Hawk's Underground 2 | 2004 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox | Neversoft, Activision |
| Tony Hawk's Underground | 2003 | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox | Neversoft, Activision |
| Total Overdose | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC | SCI Games |
| Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune | 2004 | Arcade | Genki, Namco |
| Without Warning | 2005 | PlayStation 2, Xbox | Capcom Entertainment |
| Xuan Yuan Sword 5 | 2006 | PC | DOMO Team,Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| Xuan Yuan Sword Plus: Hero of the Han | 2007 | PC | DOMO Team,Softstar Entertainment Inc.(Taipei,Taiwan) |
| yourself!Fitness | 2004 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC | responDESIGN |
[edit] See also
- Unreal Engine, the chief competitor to RenderWare
- Gamebryo, a competitor to RenderWare
- Active Worlds
