ZeniMax Online Adopts Fork Particle Tech For MMO

ZeniMax Online Studios will be using the Fork Particle SDK to create the particle effects in its unannounced upcoming massively multiplayer game, the studio said in a statement. A division of ZeniMax Media, which also owns publisher Bethesda Softworks and developers Bethesda Game Studios and id Software, ZeniMax Online Studios has been known to be working on an MMO since late 2007, although the group has yet to reveal details of its game. Studio president Matt Firor extolled the benefits of Fork Particle as part of the announcement. "Spectacular effects bring out the best in game graphics," Firor said. "Fork Particle is robust and feature-rich. It has enabled us to make advanced special effects easily and save time with fast iterations. Our experience with Fork’s particle system SDK and support has been good. We look forward to a long and durable relationship." Fork Particle CEO Noor Khawaja called said his company is "honored to have [a] prestigious company such as ZeniMax choose Fork Particle," calling the deal "a serious endorsement." Numerous games developed by ZeniMax Online's sister studio Bethesda are built with the Gamebryo engine, which recently integrated Fork Particle, but in 2007, ZeniMax Online said it would develop its MMO using Simutronics' MMO-centric HeroEngine.