Shanghai-based online game operator The9 announced the addition of Allegorithmic’s procedural texturing middleware ProFX to its game development pipeline for an upcoming free-to-play MMO targeting the Chinese market.

According to Allegorithmic, ProFX enables developers too potentially produce textures with file sizes several magnitudes smaller than traditional textures, which translates into shorter download times for users, an attractive solution for MMOGs, virtual communities, and casual and downloadable games.

The9 manages the operation and distribution for several popular MMORPG titles, including Ragnarok Online 2 and World of Warcraft and its expansions, in mainland China. The company chose ProFX specifically to help reduce the file size and download time for its forthcoming MMO.

"In developing a successful title using the Free2Play model, there is a direct relationship between the size of the game client and the success of the game," says The9's R&D center senior director Liu Kun. "This means it is imperative that we offer players incredible graphics and an improved gaming experience overall with a minimum download time and storage footprint. ProFX helps us accomplish this goal quickly and efficiently."

[The preceding article by Eric Caoili originally appeared on Worlds in Motion sister site Gamasutra.]