Game developer and Torque Game Engine creator GarageGames has announced the addition of Torque X 2.0 to its Academic Outreach Program. Torque X 2.0 provides a complete and flexible 3D game engine on top of Microsoft’s XNA 2.0 Framework. GarageGames’ Academic Outreach Program was started in 2005 to support up and coming game developers by offering students and researchers hands-on experience with Torque game development technology.

GarageGames originally launched Torque X in the summer of 2007 and since then has continued to add 3D features. It now provides chunked LOD terrain with clipmap texturing, DTS Mesh Support, XNA Model Support, a custom material system, post processing, a 3D particle system, rigid body physics and collision, and built-in components. Torque X 2.0 has been completely updated to XNA 2.0 and is current with MS Visual Studio 2005 products.

According to GarageGames, Torque X also supports the 2D drag-and-drop game creation features of Torque Game Builder. Torque X allows developers a chance to deploy and test their game on retail Xbox 360 units through Microsoft Creators Club.

"Torque provides a compelling opportunity to schools by giving students full source code access to a proven commercial game engine," said Davey Jackson, Director of Academic and Commercial Licensing at GarageGames. "Also, because we offer low cost Indie licenses to Torque, students can create works which they personally own and can publish instead of learning on a technology they would never be able to afford after graduation. Torque X is a fantastic addition to our academic offerings, particularly for schools already working with XNA or for schools with short programs. For students with little programming experience, Torque X is the most accessible 3D game creation tool available today."

The Torque X 2.0 engine binary is a FREE download available from the GarageGames website. Schools interested in licensing the Torque X packages that include full source code or the drag-and-drop Torque X Builder toolset can contact education@garagegames.com for more details or an evaluation.