Launch titles for any new console often suffer from a basic lack of knowledge and development tools in the hands of game designers. Fortunately, middleware companies like Havok provide software that helps bridge these gaps and allows for better games in less time. So it’s incredibly exciting to know that the release of Havok 4.5 brings a significant improvement to the table: SPU optimization.
The new version of this SDK allows for much better utilization of the complex processing architecture found in the PS3. Read on to find out more details and learn about what this means for upcoming Playstation 3 software.
While it may be true that the first couple of PS3 titles developed using the Havok software (Project 8 and Untold Legends) were not exactly stellar representatives of the potential this console has. They were made using Havok 4.0. The latest version (Havok 4.5) promises to take far greater advantage of the five SPU co-processors found in the Cell chip.
The company claims, “Game developers using Havok Physics and Havok Animation products to develop for PS3 will be able to harness the full power of all the SPUs, while maintaining the complete flexibility of the Havok SDK. Havok architecture now scales strongly across all SPUs and runs between 5 and 10 times faster than Havok 4.0 for a typical game scene on the PS3.“
This not only means that the sluggish framerates of some launch titles will be a thing of the past, but that the graphics will also significantly improve. Second generation titles will obviously benefit from these improvements. However, the larger implication if these claims are true, is that companies who make games for multiple consoles will be able to spend less money on development and can therefor deliver more value to us gamers.
BTW: If you’re interested in seeing what the Havok 4.0 software could do, have a look at the following video. It’s a bit dry if you’re not into game development, but illustrates how Havok helps developers create new and exciting content.
Exciting times are ahead for the Playstation 3. It will be interesting to compare launch titles with those developed over the next few years and see the differences.
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