Why it issues: Havok, the Irish-based software program maker whose physics engine might be present in numerous blockbuster video games, has printed its first new expertise demo on YouTube in a decade. The dynamic destruction demo focuses on Havok’s particle physics engine; the corporate additionally has instruments that assist builders with in-game navigation and clothing-based physics.
The scene opens in an underground cave the place particles begins raining down round a humanoid determine as a siren blares within the background. Tunnels with spikes and cranium traps populate the center of the demo, whereas explosions on the finish present an escape route for our hero. In whole, the teaser runs a minute and a half lengthy.
The clip was launched along with the discharge of Havok 2024.2, and is little question getting used to show to devs what is feasible with their physics tech. Havok’s newest contains help for bigger worlds, continued enhancements to CMake help, and efficiency enhancements throughout all merchandise, amongst different upgrades. The complete changelog is accessible over on Havok’s web site.
Based in 1998, Havok boasts a wealthy historical past of collaboration with trade giants resembling Bethesda, Ubisoft, Digital Arts, Nintendo, and lots of others. Intel bought the outfit in 2007 for $110 million, but it surely was Microsoft that ended up with the corporate following its 2015 acquisition from Intel.
Regardless of altering arms a number of instances, Havok has managed to stay related by means of all of it. Lots of of video games have licensed its expertise through the years. Along with classics like Half-Life 2, Fallout: New Vegas, Heavy Rain, and Halo 3, Havok’s physics engine can be featured in newer video games resembling The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Helldivers 2, and Mortal Kombat 1.
To be truthful, the demo just isn’t the primary video posted by Havok previously decade. A 30-minute presentation on the evolution of physics was shared on the YouTube account three months in the past. Havok additionally printed a lesson on integrating third-party tech into Unreal Engine 5 in April 2024.
