MIDDLEWARE

Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc., today announced a partnership with Criterion Software, a leading provider of middleware solutions for the game development industry, to provide support for JSR-184 (M3G), the mobile 3D graphics API for J2ME(TM), underscoring the company's commitment to mobile 3D development pipelines. Working with Criterion's RenderWare Mobile initiative and with its embedded graphics partner, Hybrid Graphics, Discreet partner Digital Elements will craft a JSR-184 exporter and desktop viewer for Discreet's 3ds max(R) professional animation software. The JSR-184 graphics specification has recently been adopted as part of the J2ME platform, and is expected to increase the market opportunity for 3D mobile games by providing a common framework for 3D games over wireless networks. Along with the JSR-184 exporter for 3ds max software, Discreet will be providing a desktop viewer, based on Hybrid Graphics OpenGL(R) ES that emulates the hardware profile of the mobile phone on a PC. "We are constantly seeking innovative ways to support our customers in game development-a market that Discreet's 3ds max software has played a leading role in for many years," said Marc Petit, vice president of product development at Discreet. "Mobile gaming is one of the next frontiers for 3D, and Discreet is committed to providing seamless integration with all of the major gaming formats for cell phones and wireless handheld devices," added Petit. Under Criterion Software's RenderWare Mobile Initiative, the Hybrid OpenGL(R)ES/JSR 184 graphics solution is seeing widespread adoption by cell phone and silicon manufacturers for delivery of embedded graphics standards on mobile devices. "JSR 184 is one of the important content interfaces to OpenGL ES, enabling a wide range of developers to bring their content to market over cellular networks, while benefiting from improvements in hardware," says Lincoln Wallen, Criterion's VP RenderWare Mobile. "By providing a desktop version of the Hybrid OpenGL ES/JSR 184 solution, fully compatible with those embedded on cell phones, artists and developers will enjoy simplified workflow and better productivity. We are pleased to work closely with Discreet to ensure developers get the support they need to address this challenging market cost-effectively."