CRITERION GETS GAME DEVELOPERS WIRED FOR SOUND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5th August 2002
CRITERION GETS GAME DEVELOPERS WIRED FOR SOUND
Industry all ears to RenderWare® Audio 2.0 for PlayStation® 2

Criterion Software Ltd® today announces the availability of RenderWare Audio version 2.0 for PlayStation 2. Providing significant enhanced features from version 1.0, including the integration of Dolby Pro Logic® II, version 2.0 is designed to be the comprehensive solution that developers need to quickly deliver outstanding real-time audio for PlayStation 2. In keeping with the RenderWare philosophy, version 2.0 simplifies the process of generating rich, exciting multi-channel audio, and further enables developers to invest even greater resources in the crucial creative elements of the game.

In addition to the integration of Dolby Pro Logic II, other features that have been enhanced include the wave dictionary editing and memory management features. Developers are also able to stream audio across the IOP (input/output processor) rather than using the emotion engine.

Version 2.0 is modular and entirely open so developers are able to provide cutting edge audio to their game's runtime engine ‘straight from the box' with minimal programmer dependency, and the inherent flexibility of the RenderWare API also means they can match the exact audio requirements of individual games across all genres.

Criterion's CTO, Adam Billyard, comments, "Consumers now have the same audio expectations for games as they do of movies, so publishers and developers are under pressure to raise the bar in terms of their game audio. Our focus is to empower developers with the very best audio technology tools so they can exploit each platform's unique strengths and features, and achieve the maximum effect using minimum time and less resources - that way the overall game experience is heightened significantly. With version 2.0 developers can bypass the audio learning curve and get straight to immersive, creative gameplay."

Simon Bailey, Managing Director, Asylum Games comments, "Our teams have already integrated RenderWare Audio as standard into our game production process. The quality, usability and high functionality of the product have been instrumental in ensuring our games offer unparalleled audio as part of the immersive gameplay we are providing throughout our next-gen games. Audio plays a vital part in ensuring that the entire experience for the player is as close to reality as possible, and we are certainly excited by the launch of the version 2.0 for Playstation 2 and look forward to using the added features and capabilities."

(ENDS)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR IMAGES, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola Kirby, Head of PR
Tel: 01483 406296
Email: nkirby@csl.com

EDITORS NOTES
Criterion Software Ltd
Criterion Software Ltd is the undisputed world-leading provider of middleware solutions for the game development industry. Founded in 1993, Criterion Software Ltd is a rapidly expanding organisation that today employs over 200 people in its software technology and game development divisions and is headquartered in Guildford UK, with offices in Tokyo, Austin, Paris and Derby. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon Inc. Further information on Criterion Software Ltd can be found at <http://www.playstationandxbox.com/>.

Criterion Software Ltd's game development middleware solutions include RenderWare Platform and the new RenderWare Studio. Both are available for PlayStation® 2, Xbox™, NINTENDO GAMECUBE™ and PC. RenderWare is used extensively among the game development community, including heavyweights such as Activision, Acclaim, Capcom, Rockstar, EA, Empire Interactive, Infogrames, Interplay, Konami, Lucas Learning, Midway, Rage, Sierra-Online, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sony Online, THQ, Titus and Ubisoft. For the latest information on Criterion SoftwareLtd, RenderWare Platform, RenderWare Studio, our other tools and technologies and our partnerships, please visit <http://www.playstationandxbox.com/>.

Criterion Software Ltd and RenderWare are registered trademarks of Canon Inc. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo is a registered trademark and NINTENDO GAMECUBE a trademark of Nintendo Co., Ltd. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.













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