Middleware for games is a piece of software that is integrated into a game engine to handle some specialized aspect of it, such as physics, graphics or networking.
Notable
Autodesk Gameware - from Autodesk, includes Scaleform GFx, Kynapse, Beast and HumanIK. Nvidia GameWorks - visual FX, physics, particle and fluid simulations. Simplygon - automated 3D content optimization for a variety of assets as vegetation, buildings, scene views etc. SpeedTree - vegetation programming and modelling software products. xaitment - customizable and modular game AI software for navigation mesh generation, pathfinding, character behavioral modeling and more.
AI: Pathfinding, collisions AiLive - a suite of game AI middleware. Kythera AI - complete AI toolset middleware. Mercuna - 3D navigation middleware. Havok AI - complete AI toolset middleware.
Full-motion video Bink Video - video file format, video compression tools and playback library from RAD Game Tools. CRI-Sofdec - created by CRI Middleware, it is highly used in Dreamcast games.
Online multiplayer DemonWare - created by Activision. Steamworks - used for Valve Corporation's Steam.
Physics & animation Cocos2D - 2D physics engine. Euphoria - 3D human animation engine created by NaturalMotion based on Dynamic Motion Synthesis. FaceFX - realistic facial animation engine created by OC3 Entertainment. Havok - 3D physics engine.
Real-time rendering trueSKY - real-time sky & weather renderer created by Simul Software.
Sound CRI-ADX - created by CRI Middleware, it is highly used in Dreamcast games. FMOD Miles Sound System - audio authoring tools and engine developed by RAD Game Tools. Wwise - audio engine and authoring tools from Audiokinetic.
UI Gameface - UI middleware engine developed by Coherent Labs. Autodesk Scaleform GFx - 3D UI middleware for the video game industry.
See also
Game engine Middleware Video game development