The Howdy Glossary

RenderWare was a versatile game development engine and middleware that gained traction in the late 1990s and early 2000s, providing tools to create games and simulations across various platforms, including gaming consoles, PCs, mobile devices, and arcade machines. The technology excelled in efficient graphic rendering while supporting key aspects of game development such as physics simulation, audio processing, and AI scripting. Notably powering titles like the Grand Theft Auto series before its acquisition by Electronic Arts in 2007, RenderWare became a go-to solution for developers seeking to build high-quality games with cross-platform compatibility.

Criterion Software developed RenderWare after its founding in 1993 by David Lau-Kee and Adam Billyard. The British company quickly earned recognition for its development tools and particularly for RenderWare's comprehensive capabilities. By focusing on creating an adaptable toolset that facilitated game creation across numerous devices efficiently, Criterion established a strong presence within the gaming industry during that period.

Despite facing competition from other prominent engines like Unreal Engine by Epic Games, CryEngine by Crytek, id Tech (Quake engine) by id Software, and Unity by Unity Technologies, RenderWare distinguished itself through exceptional cross-platform flexibility. This feature enabled seamless deployment of games across different devices without significant redevelopment efforts. Additionally, its robust graphic rendering alongside support for essential elements like physics simulation and AI scripting provided a holistic platform for developers to produce visually stunning titles efficiently. These strengths helped cement RenderWare's reputation as an effective solution among developers aiming to bring their creative visions to life on multiple platforms simultaneously.