Intel has agreed to purchase game developer Havok for an undisclosed sum.

Havok creates digital animation tools for use primarily in game development. The company's software has also been used to create special effects in films such as The Matrix and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Intel hopes that the acquisition will allow it to better connect with game developers and animators to create products optimised for Intel chips. Havok hopes that the deal will give it access to Intel's huge industry footprint.

"Intel's scale of technology investment and customer reach will enable Havok to grow more quickly into new market segments with new products than we could have done organically," said Havok chief executive David O'Meara.

"We believe that the winning combination is Havok's technology and customer know-how with Intel's scale."

Intel vowed to preserve Havok after the close of the deal. The company will not be broken up and will continue to operate from its offices in Dublin, Munich, Stockholm, Calcutta, Tokyo, San Antonio and San Francisco.