List of video game middleware explained

Middleware for games is a piece of software that is integrated into a game engine to handle some specialized aspect of it, such as physics, graphics or networking.

Notable

• Autodesk Gameware - from Autodesk, includes Scaleform GFx, Kynapse, Beast and HumanIK
• Nvidia GameWorks - visual FX, physics, particle and fluid simulations
• Simplygon - automated 3D content optimization for a variety of assets as vegetation, buildings, scene views...
• SpeedTree - vegetation programming and modelling software products
• xaitment - customizable and modular game AI software for navigation mesh generation, pathfinding, character behavioral modeling and more

AI: Pathfinding, collisions

• AiLive - a suite of game AI middleware
• Kythera AI - Complete AI Toolset Middleware
• Mercuna - 3D navigation middleware
• Havok AI - Complete AI Toolset Middleware

Full-Motion Video

• Bink Video - video file format, video compression tools and playback library from RAD Game Tools.
• CRI-Sofdec - created by CRI Middleware. It is highly used in Dreamcast games.

Online Multiplayer

• DemonWare - created by Activision.
• Steamworks - used for Valve Corporation's Steam.

Physics & Animation

• Cocos2D - 2D physics engine.
• Euphoria - 3D human animation engine created by NaturalMotion based on Dynamic Motion Synthesis.
• FaceFX - realistic facial animation engine created by OC3 Entertainment.
• Havok - 3D physics engine.

Real-Time Rendering

• trueSKY - real-time sky & weather renderer created by Simul Software.

Sound

• CRI-ADX - created by CRI Middleware. It is highly used in Dreamcast games.
• FMOD
• Miles Sound System - audio authoring tools and engine developed by RAD Game Tools.
• Wwise - audio engine and authoring tools from Audiokinetic.

UI

• Gameface - UI middleware engine developed by Coherent Labs.
• Autodesk Scaleform GFx - 3D UI middleware for the video game industry

See also

• Game engine
• Middleware
• Video game development