When did Square Enix start the secret project code-named White Engine?
Square Enix started the secret project code-named White Engine in August 2005. The initiative aimed to power the PlayStation 3 exclusive role-playing game Final Fantasy XIII.
Questions about Crystal Tools
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the official name given to the engine in 2008?
The engine received the official name Crystal Tools in 2008. This title symbolized the engine's flexibility and refractive effects similar to real-life crystals.
Who led the Research and Development Division responsible for Crystal Tools?
Programmer Taku Murata led the Research and Development Division responsible for Crystal Tools. He oversaw the engine's evolution from version 1.0 to 1.1.
Which game marked the final major title to use Crystal Tools?
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII was the final major title to use Crystal Tools. The company dropped the engine in favor of the newly developed Luminous Studio engine by 2013.
Why did the development of Final Fantasy XIII face significant delays?
The development of Final Fantasy XIII faced significant delays because the engine lacked finalized specifications and comprehensive software documentation. The team had to constantly adapt to the engine's changing needs while creating assets manually to meet production schedules.
What target systems did Crystal Tools support upon its release?
Crystal Tools targeted the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, and the Wii for cross-platform production feasibility. The engine combined standard libraries for graphics, physics, motion control, cinematics, visual effects, sound, artificial intelligence, and networking into a single package.