GarageGames and Pronto Games announce Torque Game Engine licensing for the popular next-gen console from Nintendo

Eugene, OR, July 16, 2007 – GarageGames, the leading technology provider for independent game makers, and Pronto Games, professional PC and console game developer, are pleased to announce the availability of Torque licensing for the Wii™ console. First shown at the Nintendo Developer Conference in June, Torque for Wii is based on the popular Torque Game Engine, with built-in support for the unique Wii controller, making it a complete package for both disc-based and downloadable Wii games.

“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.”

Nintendo recently announced the availability of the WiiWare™ service, which will allow developers of all types to create downloadable games for sale through the Wii Shop Channel. According to GarageGames, heavily discounted license pricing is available for games targeting the WiiWare downloadable service, versus those aiming for shelf space at the local game store.

In addition to Wii Remote™ support, Torque for Wii supports skinned mesh rendering, advanced character and shape animation, terrains with seamless indoor/outdoor transitions, environmental effects, industry-leading 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 powerful WYSIWYG tool chain for designers, scripting language support, a comprehensive Lot Check compliance component, and Wii graphics and audio abstraction layers. These modifications to the Torque Game Engine combined with the existing Torque toolset and pipeline make Torque for Wii a complete game development solution for the Wii console. Pronto Games, who developed the Wii port, is also using the technology for their upcoming Wii exclusive game, The Destiny of Zorro.

“We chose to develop The Destiny of Zorro with the Torque Game Engine because of its proven reliability and our developers’ familiarity with it,” said Randy Angle, President and Creative Director of Pronto Games. “Partnering with GarageGames to make the Torque Game Engine available to other Wii developers seemed like the obvious next step, and we look forward to seeing the creation of even more quality Wii titles as a result.”

GamePress