Criterion Announces Intention To Acquire MathEngine, Support Mobile Gaming

In March the two companies signed an agreement in which Criterion became the exclusive worldwide distributor for the sale and support of Karma, MathEngine's rigid-body dynamics and collision detection library. But the other prize that Criterion seems to be after is MathEngine's Zenon, a series of APIs that allow developers to develop titles for multiple mobile platforms. Zenon gives developers low-level access to mobile hardware and provides algorithms optimized for each hardware platform. As part of its announcements today, Criterion said it will extend the functionality of its middleware to the mobile space, combining the features of RenderWare and Zenon to create middleware tools for mobile game developers. The proposed acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including obtaining shareholder approval from both companies, and no other details were provided about the pending deal.