News

January 31, 2007

INTROVERSION TEAMS WITH MICROSOFT FOR DARWINIA VISTA RELEASE

Introversion Software announced today that it has been working with Microsoft to release a Vista version of their critically acclaimed title, Darwinia.

Windows Vista is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, due to be available to the consumer from the 30th January 2007. Amongst its many new features, Vista will deliver a new set of specific gaming features that will make it easier for gamers to access, play and manage games.

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with Microsoft. Not only is Darwinia a perfect addition to the Vista game package but it’s also a major stepping stone for us to be working with one of the major players in the industry.”, Mark Morris, Managing Director at Introversion said, “We hope that this project will enable us to work with Microsoft again in the future”.

Changes to the Vista version of Darwinia will include:

  • Porting of the Darwinia graphics directory from Open GL to Direct 3D has enabled new and enhanced visual effects, for example, better explosion effects, reflective water effects, Darwinian ‘auras’.

  • Support of the Xbox 360 controller

  • Support of the new Vista parental system

  • 3 new Darwinia levels: Jailbreak, Stronghold and Doomsday

  • Availability on both games explorer menu and Vista media centre

  • Rich saved games option allowing you to launch Darwinia by double clicking the save game from windows explorer

The project began in June 2007 under the guidance of two developers, and has presented some interesting new challenges. "One of the major issues was porting the graphics engine from OpenGL to Direct3D”, commented Technical Director, John Knottenbelt, “Once this was accomplished, the other pieces fell into place more quickly." Darwinia Vista Screenshots

About Darwinia

Darwinia is the second successful title from Introversion, the UK-based, independent and self-acclaimed ‘last of the bedroom programmers’. Combining fast-paced action with strategic battle planning, Darwinia features a novel and intuitive control mechanism and a graphical style ripped from 80's retro classics.

The world of Darwinia is a virtual themepark, running entirely inside a computer network and populated by a sentient evolving life form called the Darwinians. Unfortunately Darwinia has been overrun by a computer virus which has multiplied out of control. Your task is to destroy the Viral Infection and save the Darwinians from extinction.

After its successful launch on Steam in November 2005, Darwinia was awarded three prizes during the 2006 Independent Games Festival for Innovation in Visual Art, Technical Excellence and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize.

For More Product Information
Darwinia (PC)