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Criterion backs Japanese number one with Renderware

British middleware and developer services specialist Criterion has backed a winner in the Japanese races - with Enterbrain's chart-topping Derby Stallion '04 utilising the company's popular RenderWare architecture.

British middleware and developer services specialist Criterion has backed a winner in the Japanese races - with Enterbrain's chart-topping Derby Stallion '04 utilising the company's popular RenderWare architecture.

The Derby Stallion '04 horse racing game comes from a stable (sorry) of titles which has so far sold some 8 million units in total in Japan, and the RenderWare-powered latest offering had sold almost 600,000 units after less than a fortnight on sale.

"As with any successful long-standing series, with Derby Stallion 04 we were undertaking an enormous creative challenge," commented Enterbrain director and general manager Shuji Matsumoto. "Not only did we have to ensure that the experience was as realistic and exciting as the last game, but we had to raise the bar even further... The support and services we have received from the RenderWare team allowed us to realise all of the goals we set ourselves at the start of the project and deliver extremely efficiently."

Backing Japan's latest number one title is a significant achievement for Criterion, but it's hardly a company which is unaccustomed to success. Past titles which have been based on the RenderWare technology have included Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto Vice City, and Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer.

"We are delighted that Derby Stallion 04 has done so extremely well since its launch," said Criterion CEO David Lau-Kee. "Our success in the Japanese market mirrors our success in other territories, and we are proud to be adding Derby Stallion 04 to our chart-topping list of great games. Successes such as these truly mark Criterion and RenderWare as global names in the development industry, and there are plenty more on their way."

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Rob Fahey avatar
Rob Fahey is a former editor of GamesIndustry.biz who has spent several years living in Japan and probably still has a mint condition Dreamcast Samba de Amigo set.