HeroEngine beefs up

Simultronics’ massively-multiplayer online game middleware, HeroEngine, has been boosted by new tech partners providing easy integration for other existing modular middleware.

The three new partners are AIseek and its AI technology, Vivox’s integrated voice chat service and Scaleform’s GFX vector-based user interface engine.

"HeroEngine has evolved into a complete development platform for MMO games and virtual worlds," said David Whatley, CEO of Simultronics.

"The HeroEngine plug-in architecture makes it possible to offer easy integration with best-of-breed middleware technologies to enhance the platform for HeroEngine developers."

At the same time, the has announced a new licensee, with Russian online game company IT Territory using the platform for a new MMO title. Simultronics also announced that Phil Salopek will join the company as CEO, and that the company is building a new 26,000 square foot facility in St. Charles, MO to be its development studio.

"This is an amazing time for Simutronics. Our technology platform is best of breed and we are on top of a worldwide surge in MMO and virtual world development," added Whatley.

Speaking of his company’s adoption of the HeroEngine, Igor Matsanyuk, president of IT Territory, said: "We want to push forward the development of online games in Russia, so we’ve selected Simutronics’ HeroEngine because it has a complete tool set and has the best solutions and environment for developing a top-notch MMO title. We wanted to see the results of our work fast, and our team needed a technology that was both sophisticated in its results and yet easy enough to work with. HeroEngine was a perfect fit for us."