Product: Torque Gets Wii Licensing, Game Builder Hits 1.5

GarageGames has announced a new Torque engine licensing plan for the Nintendo Wii, targeting developers for the console's WiiWare downloadable service, and has announced the latest release of its Torque Game Builder, featuring the debut of the Behaviors system as well other updates. Behaviors are small bits of functionality that can be attached to a game object, defining how that object reacts to certain game events. Configured through the editor with minimal scripting, Behaviors are modular, allowing the addition of many Behaviors to a single object, or the same Behavior to multiple objects. Included with the Torque Game Builder download is a new BehaviorPlayground project, which demonstrates Behaviors being used to create a simple Breakout-style game and model some common gametype controls. In addition to Behaviors, the new release of Torque Game Builder introduces tick-based physics, better platform support, and several other usability updates and fixes. Additionally, in conjunction with PC and console developer Pronto Games, GarageGames also announced the availability of Torque licensing for the Nintendo Wii. First shown at the Nintendo Developer Conference in June, Torque for Wii is based on the Torque Game Engine, with built-in support for Wii's controller, making it a complete package for both disc-based and downloadable Wii games. According to GarageGames, heavily discounted license pricing is available for games targeting Nintendo's recently-announced WiiWare downloadable service, versus those aiming for retail shelf space. In addition to Wii Remote support, Torque for Wii supports skinned mesh rendering, advanced character and shape animation, terrains with indoor/outdoor transitions, environmental effects, networked multiplayer game support, collision detection and physics, a bevy of rendering effects, compressed textures and more, all optimized for Wii. Additional features include a WYSIWYG tool chain for designers, scripting language support, a comprehensive Lot Check compliance component, and Wii graphics and audio abstraction layers. "I think every game designer has a few ideas about how they could use the Wii console's extraordinary features to make fun games," commented Josh Williams, GarageGames CEO. "Torque for Wii makes it easier to focus on creating high-quality experiences for the Wii, rather than implementing the technologies and tools it takes to just get started."