Released in 1993,[1] RenderWare was a 3D API and graphics rendering engine used in video games, Active Worlds, and some VRML browsers.

It originated in the era of software rendering on CPUs prior to the appearance of GPUs, competing with other libraries such as Argonaut Games's BRender and RenderMorphics' Reality Lab (the latter was acquired by Microsoft and became Direct3D).

[4] RenderWare's principal commercial importance was in providing an off-the-shelf solution to the difficulties of PS2 graphics programming.

[clarification needed] Prior to version 2, an external programming or scripting language was required to take advantage of RenderWare.

RenderWare is no longer available for purchase, although Electronic Arts still honors old contracts, meaning that external developers who licensed the technology before the Criterion acquisition may still use the software.