Marmalade (software)

Marmalade SDK was a cross-platform software development kit and game engine from Marmalade Technologies Limited (previously known as Ideaworks3D Limited)[1] that contains library files, samples, documentation and tools required to develop, test and deploy applications for mobile devices.

Marmalade SDK
Developer(s)Marmalade Technologies Limited.
Stable release
8.6 / September 15, 2016 (2016-09-15)
Written inC++
Operating systemiOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, Mac OS X, Windows, Tizen, Roku
TypeGame engine
LicenseProprietary
WebsiteOfficial website

Overview

The underlying concept of the Marmalade SDK is write once, run anywhere so that a single codebase can be compiled and executed on all supported platforms rather than needing to be written in different programming languages using a different API for each platform. This is achieved by providing a C/C++ based API which acts as an abstraction layer for the core API of each platform.

Depending on the license purchased, Marmalade SDK supports deployment of applications to the following platforms: Android, BlackBerry 10,[2] iOS,[3] LG Smart TV, Tizen,[3] Mac OS X, Windows Desktop, Roku 2, Roku 3, and Windows Phone 8, but not Linux.

The main Marmalade SDK consists of two main layers.[4] A low level C API called Marmalade System provides an abstraction layer that allows a programmer access to device functionality such as memory management, file access, timers, networking, input methods (e.g. accelerometer, keyboard, touch screen) and sound and video output. Marmalade SDK is a C++ API that provides higher level functionality mostly focused on support for 2D (e.g. bitmap handling, fonts) and 3D graphics rendering (e.g. 3D mesh rendering, boned animation). It includes an extensible resource management system and HTTP networking. Marmalade SDK supports Objective C.[5]

Marmalade SDK allows access to the graphics rendering capabilities of mobile devices either by using the OpenGL ES API directly (both OpenGL ES 1.x and 2.x are supported) or by using the functionality provided by the Marmalade SDK layer. Marmalade SDK provides support for loading and rendering graphics resources such as bitmap images and 3D model data which would need to be implemented by the user if using OpenGL ES directly. Marmalade SDK provides exporter plug-ins for use with Autodesk 3DS Max and Autodesk Maya to allow 3D models and animations to be used in applications. For supporting older devices with no dedicated rendering hardware, a legacy software based rendering option is provided.[6] On 9 October 2015, Marmalade introduced its own 2D and 3D authoring tools.[7]

Marmalade Technologies Limited formerly Ideaworks Ltd, the maker of the 2D/3D Marmalade SDK announced in September 2016[8] the ceasing of production and support of its Marmalade Game Platform, choosing instead to focus on the output of its own game studio known as Marmalade Game Studio Ltd. The company announced that after the final iteration in March 2017 the licence server will be turned off and support will cease. In January 2017 GMO Cloud[9]– based in Japan obtains the exclusive rights to use the Marmalade SDK which supports both native and hybrid browser-based apps, accelerating the development of new features and supporting game and app development.

In May 2018, GMO Cloud announced the discontinuation of Marmalade.[10]

Reception

On November 12, 2015 the Marmalade Platform won at The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards 2015 in the category of "Best Engines & Middleware, Tools & Tech".[11][12]

Games

This is a list of notable games which had been built using the Marmalade SDK.

Marmalade's in house game development is through Marmalade Game Studio Ltd. and publish the following games:

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References
  1. "Marmalade, Our team". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  2. Keith Andrew (August 31, 2011). "Marmalade adds native support for QNX OS and BlackBerry PlayBook". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  3. "Marmalade 6.4 is here". September 23, 2013. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  4. "The Two Sides of Marmalade". Marmalade SDK documentation. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  5. "Marmalade |". Madewithmarmalade.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  6. "Floating your boat - Marmalade's newly-optimised graphics pipeline". Marmalade SDK blog. 5 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-09-13-marmalade-ceasing-sdk-support-focusing-on-game-making
  9. https://ir.gmocloud.com/english/news/170104_2682.html
  10. Discontinue of Marmalade SDK, Marmalade Technologies, May 29, 2018
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032121/http://awards.tiga.org/
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