Product: Vicious Cycle Joins PS3 Tools, Middleware Program

Officials from Vicious Cycle (Robotech: Battlecry, Robotech: Invasion) have announced that the company has joined Sony's Tools and Middleware Program for the PlayStation 3, giving developers access to Vicious Cycle's Vicious Engine middleware solution. Vicious Cycle also recently announced its Vicious Engine Rising Stars Program, which will allow start-ups to use the engine for an evaluation and prototyping period. The multiplatform engine, which powers games including Vicious Cycle's own upcoming Dead Head Fred for PSP, as well as Collision Studios' 300: March To Glory and Totally Games' Alien Syndrome, was the subject of a recent Gamasutra Q&A with its developers. The Vicious Engine, described by the company as an “intuitive data-driven development tool [that] permits game creation without any full-time programmers,” was also recently added to similar programs devoted to the Wii and Xbox 360. The middleware solution is also currently available for the PSP, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC. Highlights of the engine’s capabilities include point-and-click scripting, a comprehensive integrated physics solution, easy A.I. development, straightforward platform conversion and powerful rendering that draws complex, dynamic scenes accurately and efficiently. "By taking advantage of the advanced processors and rendering capabilities of the PlayStation 3, the Vicious Engine can maximize a game's potential," said Eric Peterson, president at Vicious Cycle Software. "The Vicious Engine allows developers to create stunning and visually rich game content without having to worry about engine specifics."