Torque X game engine tech release imminent
Posted by M (15 Aug 2006, 11:24 p.m. NZST)
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GarageGames has announced the forthcoming release of Torque X, the next generation of their Torque Game Engine technology and tools on the Microsoft XNA game development platform. This announcement coincides with Microsoft's announcement that XNA Game Studio Express should be readily available by this holiday season.
XNA Game Studio Express will allow users to develop games in managed C# and play them both on the Windows PC and on retail Xbox 360 game consoles. GarageGames' Torque suite of game development tools is used by many commercial game studios, independent and hobbyist game developers, and in game development courses at well over 100 major universities and schools around the world. Torque X is the next-generation of GarageGames' Torque technology ported over to C# to run on the XNA platform. Torque X is a full-featured 2D and 3D game engine which will support the intuitive editors being used in Torque Game Builder, as well as the award-winning features of the Torque Game Engine and its artist-friendly shader generation system.
During a keynote presentation at developer event Gamefest hosted by Microsoft in Seattle, GarageGames President Mark Frohnmayer showcased the Torque suite of game engines, ending with a presentation of Xbox 360 Live Arcade hit Marble Blast Ultra running in XNA. "Today, Microsoft is taking a revolutionary step forward in enabling hobbyists and students to create games in the next generation console space," said Frohnmayer. "We could not be happier that XNA Game Studio Express and our tools can connect to provide the quickest and easiest solution for anyone with the creativity and drive to make games to bring them to Windows and the Xbox 360."
"We recognise that GarageGames has long been a leader in building and driving the independent game development arena," said Chris Satchell, Microsoft General Manager of the Game Developer Group. "We are excited that their next-generation technology will play a key role in game development on the XNA platform."
Recognising the new possibilities that XNA represents to game developers, GarageGames began collaborating with Microsoft to port their technology to XNA for use with XNA Game Studio Express earlier this year. Users of the Torque Game Engine and Torque Game Builder on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms will find Torque X to be a familiar environment in which to make games, while those new to Torque will enjoy the intuitive yet powerful tools available to them.
"At GarageGames, we strive to provide top-tier technology, tools and community to independent and aspiring game developers," commented Josh Williams, Chief Executive Officer of GarageGames. "Torque X is an exciting addition to our existing efforts, and an incredible step forward for game developers of all kinds. Never before have indies, hobbyists, students, and educators had this kind of access to professional tools for console game development."
