CRI Middleware

CRI Middleware Co., Ltd. (formerly CSK Research Institute Corp.) is a Japanese developer providing middleware for use in the computer and video game industry. From the early nineties, CRI was a video game developer, but shifted focus in 2001. Their customers have included high-profile clients such as Microsoft, Nintendo, Atlus, Konami, Namco Bandai Games, Sega, Capcom, and Square Enix.

History

CRI started out as CSK Research Institute, subsidiary of CSK, producing video games for the Mega Drive/Sega Genesis. It went on to develop games for the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast before it was incorporated as CRI Middleware in 2001.

Games

Developed

Name	Platform(s)	Release date(s)
Galaxy Force II	Mega Drive/Genesis	1991
Dyna Brothers	Mega Drive/Genesis	1992
After Burner III	Mega-CD	1993
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra	Mega-CD	1993
Dyna Brothers 2	Mega Drive/Genesis	1993
2nd Arukotoha Sando-R	Sega Saturn	1996
Cyber Troopers: Virtual On	Sega Saturn	1996
Kunoichi Torimonochou	Sega Saturn	1998
AeroWings	Dreamcast	1999
TNN Motorsports HardCore Heat	Dreamcast	1999
Aero Dancing: Torodoki Taichou no Himitsu Disc	Dreamcast	2000
AeroWings 2: Air Strike	Dreamcast	2000
Aero Dancing F: Todoroki Tsubasa no Hatsu Hikou	Dreamcast	2000
Aero Dancing i: Jikai Sakuma de Machite Mase	Dreamcast	2001
Surf Rocket Racers	Dreamcast	2001
Power Jet Racing 2001	Dreamcast	2001

Published

Name	Platform(s)	Release date(s)
Speedball 2	Mega Drive/Genesis	1992
Tyrants	Mega Drive/Genesis	1993

Criware

These products and services are now offered by CRI under the collective name of "CRIWARE".

ADX

Main article: ADX (file format)

ADX is a streamed audio format which allows for multiple audio streams, seamless looping and continuous playback (allowing two or more files to be crossfaded or played in sequence) with low, predictable CPU usage. The format uses the ADPCM framework. It is now known as CRI ADX.

Sofdec

Sofdec is a streamed video format supporting up to 24bit color which includes multistreaming and seamless playback with a frame rate of up to 60 frames per second. It is essentially a repackaging of MPEG-1/MPEG-2 video with CRI's proprietary ADX codec for audio playback. It is now known as CRI Sofdec.

Clipper

Clipper is an automated lip-syncing program which analyzes waveforms and outputs an appropriate lip pattern into a text file, for later substitution into the facial animations of the (in-game) speaker. It is now known as CRI Clipper.

ROFS

ROFS is a file management system for handling a virtual disc image, an extension of the CD-ROM standard. It has no limitations on file name format, or number of directories or files, and has been designed with compatibility with ADX and Sofdec in mind. It is now known as CRI ROFS.

Sound Factory

Sound Factory is a GUI-based video game audio tool for effective sound design without input from programmers. It has support for the previewing and playback of generated audio. It is now known as CRI Sound Factory.

Movie Encode

Movie Encode is a video encoding service by which CRI generates Sofdec or MPEG files from other media. For a fee (designated by the length of the file to be encoded), files are converted to the desired format with the quality specified by the client. It is now known as CRI Movie Encode.

CRI Audio

CRI Movie

CRI Movie 2

CRI Movie with High Definition video support.

CRI Vibe

CRI CP Sound Craft

CRI FileMajik

CRI FileMajik - file system with features such as: asynchronous file requests, prioritized loads, zero-buffer decompression and UMD speed emulation for the PSP.

External links

• CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.
• CRI Middleware, Inc.
• Comprehensive list of games using CRI Middleware
• CRI company page at GameFAQs

References