CRI Middleware Co. Ltd. (TSE:3698), a leading provider of audio and video solutions for the gaming industry, together with Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ: IMMR), the leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, today announced the launch of a new tool for adding tactile effects to Android mobile games. CRI Middleware’s CRI HAPTIX tool, built to work with Immersion TouchSense® SDK for Mobile Games, enables developers to quickly add haptics to mobile games designed on CRIWARE, the company’s development platform. Mobile games with haptics are more engaging, and as a result, have shown increased user retention and time spent in game1.
The launch of CRI HAPTIX follows the announcement of an agreement between CRI and Immersion earlier this year. The collaboration between the two companies streamlines the process for developers by enabling sound, animation and tactile effect creation and editing on a single platform.
“We are excited to see the launch of CRI HAPTIX from CRI,” said Nobumitsu Shimada, representative director and country manager for Japan at Immersion. “CRI’s quick launch of this new product to create and edit haptic effects for mobile games demonstrates its commitment to delivering a comprehensive solution for creating great mobile games with stunning tactile effects.”
“Haptic technology is an innovative new feature that takes mobile gaming to the next level,” said Masao Oshimi, president at CRI Middleware. “Immersion’s robust TouchSense software has made it possible to incorporate more detailed, nuanced touch effects that match the feel of the game. With a broad library of effects already available from Immersion’s TouchSense SDK, developers can use CRI HAPTIX to do much more to enhance and extend the popularity of their game.”
CRI HAPTIX works with both Unity and Cocos2d-x game engines. The previewer app that comes with the tool allows developers to feel the effects as they coordinate haptics with audio in the game. Immersion’s TouchSense Gaming SDK includes a haptic playback API, a universal library of haptic effects and reference guides. Mobile games incorporating Immersion’s gaming SDK provide playback of tactile effects in the majority of Android mobile devices on the market today, with optimal haptic performance when the games are played on mobile devices running TouchSense software in the operating system.
1. Immersion A/B Study on Game Engagement, October 2015
About Immersion
Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ: IMMR) is the leading innovator of touch feedback technology, also known as haptics. The company provides technology solutions for creating immersive and realistic experiences that enhance digital interactions by engaging users’ sense of touch. With more than 2,200 issued or pending patents, Immersion’s technology has been adopted in more than 3 billion digital devices, and provides haptics in mobile, automotive, advertising, gaming, medical and consumer electronics products. Immersion is headquartered in San Jose, California with offices worldwide. Learn more at www.immersion.com.
About CRI Middleware Co. Ltd.
CRI Middleware Co. Ltd. is the number one Japanese audio/video middleware company, providing industry-leading middleware tools and technologies to game developers and publishers. CRI Middleware has shipped successfully in over 3,300 titles from dozens of game publishers around the world. CRI Middleware Inc. is located in San Francisco; CRI Middleware Co. Ltd. is based in Tokyo, Japan.