Legends of RenderWare

Despite being the inventors of the Crash Mode, the most impactful thing Criterion Games ever did was likely the engineering and extensive licensing of the RenderWare engine. Prior to the popularity of Unreal and Unity, developers would often dedicate extensive portions of a game's production creating bespoke engines for the project. Depending on the developers' intentions, the production of widely adaptable game engines made this an optional part of the process. RenderWare was one of the biggest early successes in this shift, and was utilised in over 200 games. These ranged from widely-beloved system selling hits, to obscure fan favourites, to some of the most slapped-together shit you've ever heard of. With this list, I'd like to shine a light on this variety.

Antz Extreme Racing
Antz Extreme Racing
The Warriors
The Warriors
High Rollers Casino
High Rollers Casino
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
ObsCure
ObsCure
Black
Black
Madagascar
Madagascar
ZanZarah: The Hidden Portal
ZanZarah: The Hidden Portal
Atari: 80 Classic Games in One!
Atari: 80 Classic Games in One!
Friends: The One With All The Trivia
Friends: The One With All The Trivia
Frank Herbert's Dune
Frank Herbert's Dune
WWE Crush Hour
WWE Crush Hour
Run Like Hell
Run Like Hell
Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007
Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider
Rugby League
Rugby League
Fullmetal Alchemist: Dream Carnival
Fullmetal Alchemist: Dream Carnival
Mashed: Drive to Survive
Mashed: Drive to Survive
Legend of Kay
Legend of Kay
Suikoden III
Suikoden III
The Settlers: Heritage of Kings
The Settlers: Heritage of Kings
Garfield
Garfield
Classified: The Sentinel Crisis
Classified: The Sentinel Crisis
Dragon Ball Online
Dragon Ball Online
Outlaw Golf
Outlaw Golf
Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly Adventure
Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly Adventure
Starsky & Hutch
Starsky & Hutch
Ninjabread Man
Ninjabread Man
DreamMix TV World Fighters
DreamMix TV World Fighters
Manhunt
Manhunt
Yourself!Fitness
Yourself!Fitness
Burnout 3: Takedown
Burnout 3: Takedown
The Movies
The Movies
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Aqua Aqua
Aqua Aqua
Rolling
Rolling
Headhunter: Redemption
Headhunter: Redemption
Sonic Heroes
Sonic Heroes
Bratz: Rock Angelz
Bratz: Rock Angelz
Xyanide
Xyanide
Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon
Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon
The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact
The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact
Strike Force Bowling
Strike Force Bowling
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Puyo Pop Fever
Puyo Pop Fever
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing
Bloody Roar 4
Bloody Roar 4
The Simpsons Skateboarding
The Simpsons Skateboarding
Inuyasha: Feudal Combat
Inuyasha: Feudal Combat
Killer7
Killer7
Smarties: Meltdown
Smarties: Meltdown
SimCity: Cities of Tomorrow
SimCity: Cities of Tomorrow
Frogger: Ancient Shadow
Frogger: Ancient Shadow
Connie Talbot: Over the Rainbow
Connie Talbot: Over the Rainbow
Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto III
Bomberman Land 2
Bomberman Land 2
Jackass: The Game
Jackass: The Game

3 Comments


3 months ago

The Movies! What!

3 months ago

Didn't know RenderWare was the work of Criterion. Those guys were ahead of the curve, shame on EA for turning them into a minor studio to help with bigger releases.

3 months ago

A truly magical time. W for Killer 7 and Obscure.


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