Microsoft buys 3D physics maker Havok from Intel

Microsoft has announced it is acquiring Havok, a company whose main product is a 3D physics engine for games. Havok was previously owned by Intel, although the company operates independently.

On its weblog, Microsoft announces that it is acquiring Havok. With the engine that Havok has developed for 3d physics, Microsoft wants to increase its existing set of tools for game developers. According to the Redmond company, Havok’s software is intended to complement DirectX 12, Visual Studio and the Azure cloud service.

Havok was previously owned by Intel. However, the company is independently working on its 3D physics engine that is used for several games. For example, Havok’s technology has been used for game series such as Halo, Assassin’s Creed, Call of Duty, Destiny, Dark Souls and The Elder Scrolls. In total, more than six hundred games have used Havok’s technology.

Microsoft will now manage the license release for the engine. What the company from Redmond will pay for the acquisition of Havok has not been disclosed.