Product: Vicious Cycle Joins Wii Tools & Middleware ProgramProduct: Vicious Cycle Joins Wii Tools & Middleware Program

Officials from Vicious Cycle (Robotech: Battlecry, Robotech: Invasion) have announced that the company has joined Nintendo's Tools and Middleware Program for the Wii, giving developers access to Vicious Cycle's Vicious Engine middleware solution. The news follows Vicious Cycle's recent announcement of the The Vicious Engine Rising Stars Program, which will allow start-ups to use the engine for an evaluation and prototyping period. Vicious Cycle also recently joined Microsoft's Tools and Middleware Program for the Xbox 360, and the Vicious Engine itself is currently available for Wii, Xbox 360, PSP, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC. 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's capabilities help developers to create games for the unique capabilities of the Wii, including support for point-and-click scripting, Wii remote and nunchuk integration, intuitive AI development, straightforward platform conversion, and the ability to render complex, dynamic scenery in an efficient manner. "Wii is a remarkable platform with boundless potential," said Eric Peterson, president of Vicious Cycle. "As a Wii middleware solution, the Vicious Engine will provide developers with a practical approach to exploring the unique and creative possibilities of Wii. Our technology allows developers to focus on what makes Wii special--fun gameplay and innovative peripheral integration."