Intel Jetisons Havok 3D Physics Engine To Microsoft For Maximum Impact
Havok, a middleware software suite best known for its 3D physics engine, is now a Microsoft property. Microsoft purchased the "leading provider of 3D physics" from chipmaker Intel for an undisclosed sum, the company announced in a blog post. Along with its other technologies, Microsoft will, in part, use Havok to build "the most complete cloud service."
Intel spent $110 million acquiring Havok back in September 2007. Havok's footprint in the industry is fairly large -- throughout its 15-year history, Havok's technologies have been used by Activision, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Ubisoft, and several others to create more than 600 games. Some of the more notable using real-time physics from Havoks include Halo, Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Destiny, Dark Souls, Mortal Kombat X, and The Elder Scrolls.
Dark Souls is one of over 600 games that uses Havok
Microsoft doesn't plan to horde Havoks all to itself. Instead, the company said it will continue to work with developers and license Havok's development tools to partners.
"Microsoft’s acquisition of Havok continues our tradition of empowering developers by providing them with the tools to unleash their creativity to the world. We will continue to innovate for the benefit of development partners," Microsoft said. "Part of this innovation will include building the most complete cloud service, which we’ve just started to show through games like Crackdown 3."
Havok's technologies extend beyond the gaming community. They've also been used to create special effects for movies like World War Z and The Matrix.
Intel spent $110 million acquiring Havok back in September 2007. Havok's footprint in the industry is fairly large -- throughout its 15-year history, Havok's technologies have been used by Activision, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Ubisoft, and several others to create more than 600 games. Some of the more notable using real-time physics from Havoks include Halo, Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Destiny, Dark Souls, Mortal Kombat X, and The Elder Scrolls.
Dark Souls is one of over 600 games that uses Havok
"Microsoft’s acquisition of Havok continues our tradition of empowering developers by providing them with the tools to unleash their creativity to the world. We will continue to innovate for the benefit of development partners," Microsoft said. "Part of this innovation will include building the most complete cloud service, which we’ve just started to show through games like Crackdown 3."
Havok's technologies extend beyond the gaming community. They've also been used to create special effects for movies like World War Z and The Matrix.
