Middleware for games is a piece of software that is integrated into a game engine to handle some specialized aspect of it, such as physics, graphics or networking.
Notable
editThis list has no precise inclusion criteria as described in the Manual of Style for standalone lists. (March 2017) |
- Autodesk Gameware - from Autodesk, includes Scaleform GFx, Kynapse, Beast and HumanIK.
- Nvidia GameWorks - visual FX, physics, particle and fluid simulations.
- Simplygon - automated 3D content optimization for a variety of assets as vegetation, buildings, scene views etc.
- SpeedTree - vegetation programming and modelling software products.
- xaitment - customizable and modular game AI software for navigation mesh generation, pathfinding, character behavioral modeling and more.
AI: Pathfinding, collisions
edit- AiLive - a suite of game AI middleware.
- Kythera AI - complete AI toolset middleware.
- Mercuna - 3D navigation middleware.
- Havok AI - complete AI toolset middleware.
Full-motion video
edit- Bink Video - video file format, video compression tools and playback library from RAD Game Tools.
- CRI-Sofdec - created by CRI Middleware, it is highly used in Dreamcast games.
Online multiplayer
edit- DemonWare - created by Activision.
- Steamworks - used for Valve Corporation's Steam.
Physics & animation
edit- Cocos2D - 2D physics engine.
- Euphoria - 3D human animation engine created by NaturalMotion based on Dynamic Motion Synthesis.
- FaceFX - realistic facial animation engine created by OC3 Entertainment.
- Havok - 3D physics engine.
Real-time rendering
edit- trueSKY - real-time sky & weather renderer created by Simul Software.
Sound
edit- CRI-ADX - created by CRI Middleware, it is highly used in Dreamcast games.
- FMOD
- Miles Sound System - audio authoring tools and engine developed by RAD Game Tools.
- Wwise - audio engine and authoring tools from Audiokinetic.
UI
edit- Gameface - UI middleware engine developed by Coherent Labs.
- Autodesk Scaleform GFx - 3D UI middleware for the video game industry.
