Did you hear?! Havok is Seeking Smaller Studios With Big Amibitions
Havok is stepping into the indie arena with affordable pricing...
Havok Isn’t Just Surviving — It’s Leveling Up
If your game's got falling debris, ragdoll chaos, or physics that make players say "whoa" chances are, Havok helped inspire it. This legendary physics engine has powered some of the biggest titles in gaming (Half-Life 2, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Call of Duty) and now it’s opening its doors to smaller teams. Long seen as a tool only for AAA giants, Havok is stepping into the indie arena with affordable pricing, out-of-the-box Unity and Unreal integration, and the same pro-grade performance. If you're an indie studio with big ideas and blockbuster ambitions, Havok just became a serious contender for your tech stack.
Havok has been the unsung hero behind some of gaming’s biggest physics-driven moment from Hell Divers to Zelda. Founded in Dublin back in 1998, this powerhouse middleware tool has been quietly shaping the way games move, smash, and react for over 25 years. It's likely you already know this!
But Havok isn’t stuck in the past. At GDC 2025, GM David Coghlan dropped some big news: Havok’s now way more affordable for indie and AA studios. For just $50K (no royalties), teams with budgets under $20M can get their hands on the same engine tech powering AAA blockbusters. For many teams this is still pretty wildly out of reach, but significantly more affordable than before!
Even better? Havok now plugs right into Unity and Unreal with drag-and-drop ease. No deep backend wizardry required. It's just a solid tools for devs who want pro-grade physics and character movement without breaking the bank.
Havok's also eyeing global growth, especially in Asia. Japan has always been a stronghold, but now the team is looking to China, where hungry, ambitious studios are turning heads with next-gen projects. Our guess? Korea is next.
Despite changing hands (Intel in 2007, Microsoft since 2015), Havok has kept its Irish heart, close-knit leadership, and distinct team vibe. According to Coghlan, staying true to their core is what helped them thrive through acquisitions without losing their soul.
Bottom line: Havok is no longer just for the big studios. It’s leaner, more open, and ready to be the physics secret weapon for the next wave of ambitious devs.
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