Midway License Unreal Engine 3.0 News
Chris Leyton
02/02/2005
Growing relationship between Midway and Epic continues with new agreement...
Having demonstrated its vision of the future with the unveiling of the Unreal Engine 3.0 technology back in May 2004, Midway today announced plans to utilise the cutting-edge game engine for use in next-generation console and PC game development.
The multi-year agreement is already in place, with the tools and technology currently being used at Midwayâs internal studios including, Midwayâs Chicago Studio, Midwayâs Austin Studio and Surreal Software. As with previous iterations of the Unreal Engine, Midway will expand upon the foundations laid down to create specific tools and assets that will be used exclusively across all Midway internal studios.
"Great next generation games will be defined by how far they push the envelope in terms of graphical prowess, evolved artificial intelligence and revolutionary online functionality beyond what gamers are currently experiencing," said David F. Zucker, president and chief executive officer of Midway. "Our obtaining the use of Unreal Engine 3 empowers us to begin today to produce great next generation content. Our internal studios are already in the process of creating incredible products with the Unreal Engine 3 technology in multiple genres."
Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games agrees, "We are especially gratified that Midway, a major publisher committed to developing high quality games for both next generation console and PC platforms, in numerous styles and genres, came to us seeking the right to use Unreal Engine 3 as a basis technology for its enterprise."
"This relationship with Epic is key in our continued efforts to build Midway into a world class development organization," said Matt Booty, senior vice president of product development, Midway. "We want all of our studios to focus on creating great content and not on creating multiple technologies from scratch. The Unreal Engine 3 technology is a critical step towards this goal and combined with our own internal systems and additions, will allow Midway to maintain its leadership in quality development as we head into the next generation."
With Midway recently gaining the exclusive publishing rights to the Unreal franchise, this close relationship between Epic and the US publisher seems a natural progression between the two; weâll have more information soon.
