Havok (software)

The Havok Game Dynamics SDK, better known as simply Havok, is a middleware physics engine (in this case Dynamical simulation) designed for computer and video games by allowing interaction between objects or other characters in real-time. By using collision detection Havok allows for more lifelike worlds and animations, such as ragdoll physics, that adds to the overall game by making these interactions appear natural.

Related Topics:
Middleware - Physics engine - Dynamical simulation - Computer - Video game - Collision detection - Ragdoll physics

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Havok is available for the Microsoft Xbox, the Nintendo GameCube, the Sony PlayStation 2, and the PC. Havok Version 1.0 was unveiled at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in 2000. Version 2.0 was launched at the GDC in 2003.

Related Topics:
Microsoft - Xbox - Nintendo GameCube - Sony - PlayStation 2 - PC - Game Developers Conference - 2000 - 2003

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Since the SDK's launch in 2000, it has been used in over 100 video and computer games. Those games have primarily been action titles of the first-person shooter genre, but Ensemble Studios plans to incorporate it into its upcoming real-time strategy game, Age of Empires III http://www.ag.ru/news/04-01-2005#14483. The engine has also been used in movies such as The Matrix trilogy http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2004/08/22/story436117410.asp. Havok can also be found in Discreet's 3D Studio Max and Alias's Maya 3D design software packages both support Havok via plug-in extensions.

Related Topics:
First-person shooter - Ensemble Studios - Real-time strategy - Age of Empires III - Movie - The Matrix - 3D Studio Max - Maya 3D

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Havok is also the name of the company that develops the physics tools. The company was founded in 1998 by Hugh Reynolds and Dr. Steven Collins of the computer science department in Trinity College, Dublin. Research and Development is carried out in Dublin, with a sales and support office in San Francisco. The Havok development studios are licensed middle-ware developers on the Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube platforms.

Related Topics:
1998 - Hugh Reynolds - Dr. Steven Collins - Computer science - Trinity College, Dublin - San Francisco

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