Tools and Middleware licensing
SCE offers a PlayStation®2 Tools and Middleware License, for the purpose of allowing software developers to bring Tools and Middleware products to the PlayStation 2 platform.
At this time, there is no equivalent license available for the PlayStation Portable platform, although SCE is planning one. Please contact the Tools and Middleware division (see below) for more information.
PlayStation 2 Tools & Middleware Licensing
Today's consoles are powerful and complex. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) runs a Tools & Middleware programme to help game developers in three ways:
- To reduce development time and cost.
- To reduce the expertise required by developers to obtain advanced techniques.
- To bring new technologies to PlayStation 2 to take games to a more advanced level.
Software developers (who may also be game developers) may have technology that would be beneficial to the PlayStation 2 game developers. Some examples:
- 3D graphics APIs
- Optimising compilers
- Speech recognition
- Physics engines
- Music playback systems
These can be classified in two ways:
- Tools - These are applications running on other operating systems such as Windows, Mac or Linux, that create data to be used in a PlayStation 2 application. Examples of tools are 3D graphics packages such as Maya, 3D Studio Max and Lightwave, or C compilers such as Pro-DG or Codewarrior.
- Middleware - This is software designed to be used as part of a PlayStation 2 application. Examples of middleware are physics engines and 3D graphics APIs.
The Tools & Middleware license is provided by SCE to enable technology companies to bring their technology to PlayStation 2 and sell it to PlayStation 2 application developers.
The license allows SCE to share technical information and development kits to technology companies. When the technology is created on the PlayStation 2 by the developer, it can be resold to PlayStation 2 application developers.
Note: The license is only required if you require PlayStation 2 technical information to create your product. Some tools create data for PlayStation 2 applications, but do not require PlayStation 2 technical information.
License Span
SCE is split into 4 territories - Japan, Korea, North America, and Europe (which also covers the rest of the world). These territories are managed by Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Korea, Sony Computer Entertainment America and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe respectively.
The license allows the Tool & Middleware provider to resell their product to all PS2 developers in all territories. The Tool & Middleware provider is managed by the division of SCE that their office lies in. For example, if the provider is based in Germany then they would be managed by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
License Cost
Please contact us for details and latest information.
The license fee covers support and other administration costs. It does not include development kits. SCE does not take any royalty or flat fee from Tool & Middleware provider's sales to PlayStation 2 developers.
Linux for PlayStation 2
Some projects may be more suited to PlayStation 2 Linux, which has a different license and a significantly lower cost. Please see the PS2 Linux section for more details.
Note to hardware manufacturers
Some middleware projects are very small, such as drivers for a specific hardware device. If your company only requires a middleware license to create a device driver, then please be aware that there are existing middleware licensees who have the expertise and are willing to perform this work on your behalf. Please contact SCE for more information.
More Information
More information can be obtained at http://www.tmstation.scei.co.jp or by contacting:
- in North America:
- in Europe/Australasia:
- scee_tm@psp.scedev.net (for PlayStation Portable tools and middleware enquiries)
- scee_tm@ps2-pro.com (for PS2 tools and middleware enquiries)