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Sony maps software development environment for Playstation 3


Yoshiko Hara
EE Times
(07/21/2005 1:12 PM EDT)


TOKYO - With the debut of Playstation 3 scheduled for next spring,
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has announced strategic alliances with
several companies and an acquisition all aimed at launching software
development for the game console.
A tool shipment plan was also announced Thursday (July 21) at meeting
here.

Real-time physics simulations are expected to replace motion capture
while programmable shading will replace texture mapping in the new
console, Sony executives said.

To support game programming in physics simulation, Sony has entered
into strategic licensing agreements with Havok (Dublin, Ireland), a top
supplier of physics engines, and Ageia Technologies Inc. a U.S.
supplier of physics hardware accelerators. Under the deals, Sony
obtains sub-licensing rights to Havok's physics and animation engines
and Ageia's NovodeX SDK, a physics library for PS3.

Sony has also joined with with Transmeta for optimization tools and
debuggers and with Epic Games, a U.S. game engine developer, to include
Unreal Engine 3. Both will be available by the fourth quarter.

Sony also said it will acquire long-time partner SN Systems Ltd.
(Bristol, England), making it a Sony subsidiary. The deal allows Sony
to acquire SN's ProDG and other tools in the PS3 SDK.