Havok is the leading provider of physics engines to the game and movie industries alike, with its toolset featured in over 200 games currently on shelves, including BioShock and Guitar Hero III, and tons of movies like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and 10000 BC. Formed in 1998, the company has just now extended its arm further, signing a licensing deal with California-based 2K Games.
2K has recently worked on the Top Spin games, NHL 2K8, and will be releasing Mafia II and Major League Baseball 2K8 sometime this year. These titles won't make use of the Havok physics engine though, but rather some Wii titles, as written in the agreement. The only confirmed title under this deal is Carnival Games: Mini-Golf, though some as of yet unnamed titles are planned.
David O’Meara, Managing Director of Havok, explains how the engine will be used in the sequel to the popular Carnival Games:
“Havok physics engines allow game developers to realistically depict motion and the effects the game character has on their environment. Havok technology communicates with physical elements in the game and loads them with intelligence, allowing them to react to the players’ actions in a realistic way. Of course, anyone who has used the Wii will recognise how important accurate movement is for the players’ enjoyment of the game. Fans of Carnival Games: Mini- Golf won’t be disappointed with the final results!”
An even more recent announcement confirms the availability of the tools for free download for PC-game developers, as sponored by Intel. They can be found here.
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