particle systems

Particle Systems Ltd. was a computer game developer based in Sheffield, England. The company was founded by Glyn Williams and Michael Powell. Games developed by Particle Systems include I-War and its sequel Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos. The company was working on tactical combat game EXO, when it was acquired by Argonaut Games in January 2002 and became Argonaut Sheffield. Under this new guise the company released , Powerdrome and submitted a number of demos for Star Wars, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Zorro. Argonaut Sheffield was closed in late October 2004 when Argonaut games was put into administration.

A particle system is a technique in game physics, motion graphics, and computer graphics that uses a large number of very small sprites, 3D models, or other graphic objects to simulate certain kinds of "fuzzy" phenomena, which are otherwise very hard to reproduce with conventional rendering techniques - usually highly chaotic systems, natural phenomena, or processes caused by chemical reactions.