Product: Vicious Cycle Joins Xbox 360 Tools & Middleware Program

Officials from Vicious Cycle (Robotech: Battlecry, Robotech: Invasion) have announced that the company has joined Microsoft's Tools and Middleware Program for the Xbox 360, 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. 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 is currently available for Wii, Xbox 360, PSP, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC, and company officials have described the tool as an “intuitive data-driven development tool permits game creation without any full-time programmers.” 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. “The Vicious Engine’s entry into the Xbox 360 Tools and Middleware Program reflects our continued dedication to providing developers with the tools they need to create great games for the latest video game systems,” said Eric Peterson, president at Vicious Cycle Software. “Using the Vicious Engine, developers can focus on creativity and innovation rather than worrying over technical details.”