Developer(s) |
Konami Kojima Productions |
---|---|
Platform | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
Type | Game engine |
License | Proprietary |
The Fox Engine is a proprietary cross-platform, cross-generational game engine built by Kojima Productions for use in many Konami games. The engine's development began after the completion of 2008's Metal Gear Solid 4, with the goal of making the "best engine in the world." The first title to use the Fox Engine was Pro Evolution Soccer 2014.
The engine makes it possible for Kojima Productions to develop multiplatform games with a significantly shortened development time and has been described as the first step for the developer to move away from development for a single platform. The engine is named after FOX, a fictional military unit from the Metal Gear series, wherein is also a reflection of Kojima Productions itself, which based its company logo on FOX's fox emblem.
A demo of the engine was shown at Konami's conference at E3 2011. Taking place in a jungle environment, the demo showed off the engine's visual capabilities and featured a young man running around, a horse and a dog, reminiscent of the later released Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The tech-demo was not a game that will be released but instead a test area for the development of the engine. Kojima Productions will use the engine for all future titles, and is used in the Metal Gear franchise, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, which was revealed by Hideo Kojima, the series creator at a special 25th anniversary of the series event in Tokyo.
On August 17, 2011, Kojima released a series of images on Twitter. The images were of facial tests created in the Fox Engine. In addition, during a lecture at the University of Southern California held by Hideo Kojima, an image was shown to various students in a demonstration of the Fox Engine's capabilities with a scene depicting a forest environment. Later, on December 16, Kojima released more images over Twitter, including one image showcasing cloth transparency features.
On March 2, 2012, the Development Without Borders website uploaded a "classified" CD labelled "Fox Engine Lighting Sample" that contained a question as to which of the two pictures was a simulation of the staff room created by the Fox engine. Clicking on it will reveal that Side B was the correct answer, and explains how it does it. The second slide also depicts some hoops and levitating balls of varying colors in the "seats" of the table, as well as a horse entering through the room.