Havok offers PC game devs Havok Complete for free

by Jason Dobson { Feb 23rd 2008 at 6:00PM }

It was only a few short years ago when in-game physics were a novelty, like lava lamps and black lights. Today, however, like barrels that explode when shot, obeying the laws of physics is expected behavior for objects in most any game. This turnabout is pinned largely on the popularity of Havok's core collection of animation and physics tools, which the company notes that it will make available to PC game developers for free later this year.

The toolset, dubbed Havok Complete, has been used in creating a number of high profile titles, such as Ninja Theory's Heavenly Sword. Beginning in May, Havok will make available these same tools to developers for non-commercial use, while both it and parent company Intel also plan to offer those devs deemed worthy with a free commercial distribution license as well. Says Havok, the move is designed to "boost creative game development throughout the industry," from indies and academics, to PC enthusiasts who for too long have lived without the joy of being able to throw virtual ragdolls down flights of stairs.

Tags: animation, havok, havok-complete, havokcomplete, physics

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Nick the Hero of Canton @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:10PM

Sweet. My friend will get a kick out of this, then again, his game development skills are much less than he thinks.

WhoMe @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:33PM

Unsurprisingly maybe, since PhysX is free...

aMac @ Feb 23rd 2008 7:31PM

Yeah, this is very likely a response to NVIDIA buying PhysX and announcing that all GeForce 8 cards (and above no doubt) will be capable of PhysX hardware acceleration.

It's probably more useful to SLI setups where one card can be dedicated to the task, but I'm sure the move makes PhysX a more interesting option to developers wishing for more support.

Sam406 @ Feb 23rd 2008 7:09PM

Those that mean I get to make barrel towers like in that Crysis video?

DangerMouse @ Feb 23rd 2008 7:15PM

Yes it those.

Sam406 @ Feb 23rd 2008 7:35PM

I... God, that has to be the most embarrasing misspelling I've EVER done...

rom @ Feb 23rd 2008 8:03PM

@Sam406

"that has to be the most embarrasing misspelling I've EVER done..."

Then you, sir...are very lucky.

*Thinks back to the time he typed the word "laid", instead of "paid"*

Ah...Memories.

WhoMe @ Feb 23rd 2008 9:15PM

Man that wasn't you. That was some guy on bash.

Knock it off.

rom @ Feb 23rd 2008 9:39PM

@WhoMe

Hahaha.. I think I know which one you're talking about. I love bash. But it did happen to me...I felt like an idiot. And sadly, my brain is screwy enough that it doesn't just happen while typing either, but while actually talking as well.

This one day I was arguing with a friend and was about to say "Don't make me kick you!", but instead I said "Don't make me kiss you!"... Not exactly my proudest moment.

I won the argument, but only because hes was too busy laughing his ass off.