3DMark creator goes into game production

Posted at: 4:25am 30th January 2008 by Ben Hardwidge

Futuremark claims that its going to make original games, which could mean the next version of 3DMark is actually relevant

Futuremark's 3DMark series of benchmarks may look very pretty, but they've come under considerable flak in recent times for being nothing more benchmarks with no relation to real game engines, while at least previous versions of 3DMark were based on the Max Payne engine. However, this could all change soon, as Futuremark has just announced that it's going into the games business.

Futuremark's president, Oliver Baltuch, told Custom PC that the Futuremark Games Studio 'was created to produce original world-class games,' and that the first game is 'already in development.' The company reckons that its expertise in producing amazing graphical effects will make the games look incredibly flashy, and it could well be right.

Futuremark's CEO, Tero Sarkkinen, said that 'Futuremark Games Studio is committed to developing original IP games with the highest quality game play combined with our established track record of creating blow-your-socks-off visuals.' Sarkkinen also added that the first game would be made 'very soon.'  

Futuremark certainly has pretty DirectX graphics nailed, but it will be interesting to see how these games stack up in terms of gameplay, as well as what level of hardware will be required to run the games. Either way, it will be good to have another committed PC game developer out there, and it could also mean that the next version of 3DMark will actually bear some relation to the performance in real games again.