Virtools Releases PSP Solution

Representatives from Dassault Systèmes have announced the release of the latest in their Virtools solution packages, this time dedicated to development for Sony's PSP, which promises faster and easier development for the handheld. Dassault's Virtools framework combines GUIs, graphical and text scripting, debug tools, and APIs such as behavior and render engines, as well as asset integration plug-ins, giving developers better flexibility and performance when working on PlayStation Portable titles. Originally created as a solely a PC tool and offering fast prototyping as well as commercial product development, Virtools is framed within a drag-and-drop interface. Virtools lets users add complex behaviors and schematics to models and objects completed in standard 3D authoring packages. The preview window shows the transformation of the models in real time, making it easier to simulate, prototype, and experiment with various scenarios. As reported in May, Konami's Online Chess Kingdoms, developed by Leviathan Games, was the first commercial title created using the Virtools solution. It combines intense 3D graphics and storytelling with a variety of single and multiplayer game modes for the ultimate chess experience. A classic 2D or 3D chess set is accessible, or players can battle it out on any one of five fully interactive 3D chess sets peopled with magicians, an aquatic civilization, cybernetic beings, forest-dwelling spirits and servants of chaos. “Our recent release, Online Chess Kingdoms, presented some major challenges – more than we may think when comparing with a traditional chess video games. We applaud the end result produced by our partner Leviathan Games. We’re now looking forward to demonstrating our newly available solutions for the PSP to studios and publishers interested in high quality titles developed smarter,” says Virgile Delporte, vice president, electronic entertainment for Virtools. President and chief CTO of Leviathan Games added, “Thanks to Virtools solutions for the PSP and the permanent support we received throughout the game development, we were able to build a superior product in a shorter development timeframe with a very limited team. We had to write just a bit of custom code to integrate third party libraries for AI and turn-based multiplayer technology. The performance of the Virtools engine on the PSP ended up being outstanding.”