Virtools Aims to Blast Game Development Times
From Display Monitors

Paris-based company Virtools has developed two pieces of software to speed the development of 3D games. They enable game designers to assess the viability of a concept earlier in the development cycle and are said to cut development time by as much as 30 percent. One, Virtools Dev, has entered beta testing and is expected to be released in September. The other, Virtools Creation, will follow later in the year.

The programs allows a computer artist, game designer, programmer or author to create elements of a game in a drag and drop environment in such a way that a workable prototype emerges at a very early stage. This can save time not only through early identification of unworkable concepts but also by allowing the game prototype to be used as the foundation for further development. All the building blocks can be reused, not only n the same game but also in subsequent developments, saving yet more time...