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The New Revolution in Gameplay Physics

by Alec Matias, Apr 14, 2005 7:52am PDT
Related Topics – Ubisoft, Epic Games, Hardware (PC only), PhysX

TeamXbox has a lengthy interview with the CEO of AGEIA Technologies, Manju Hegde, whose company is building the first dedicated Physics Processing Unit (PPU) called the PhysX chip. This technology is being touted as the next big thing in gaming, almost as important as the first 3D card.

AGEIA's PhysX chip is the world's first dedicated PPU. With AGEIA's groundbreaking new technology, developers can now create scenes using the same laws of physics that govern the physical universe, enabling players to interact with any object in any scene at any time, providing pervasive interactive reality. In concert with the CPU and GPU, the PhysX chip will allow game developers to create characters, backgrounds and effects that rival those of Hollywood movies, but with interactivity.
The company already has the backing of Ubisoft, Epic Games, and Microsoft. When asked if we'd see this in a next-gen console, Hedge said, "On this one, you will have to wait."


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Comments

34 Threads* | 163 Comments
  • #160
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    By: PlanetPerfecto x
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    Personally, I think this is a great idea, offload it from the [VERY inneficient] CPU.

    I get the feeling that Nvidia/ATI are watching to see how people respond after E3. If it goes well my guess is that this company will be bought out and their tech either put onto an Nvidia/ATI GPU, or kept as another add-in card who knows. But i'll wager that this would be a great way to differentiate the next generation of graphics cards. Just like the transition in branding from "video card" to "GPU" [originally an Nvidia term], now we could see a transition from GPU to "Gaming Card" [replace w/catchy sounding ad-exec lingo]
    Apr 19, 2005 12:59pm PDT
  • #95
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    By: loppsided This person is cool! x
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    I remember back in '97, a couple of friends of mine laughed at me for spending $200 on some sorta new-fangled "3D card". Last year, these same friends spent $400 each on these crazy "3D cards"...

    Personally, Ageia had me at universal collision detection. I think some naysayers here need to actually see one of these boards in action to fully understand how this could affect gameplay. Notice I said COULD - how it all turns out depends on many things, but I think the potential is there for PPUs to become as important to gaming as 3D accelerators. Time will tell.

    Also, in a previous interview they estimated a price range of $100-$400 for the various board configurations - lol. But hell, as a fool with disposable income and an obsession with games I'll be the first in line to grab one! =D
    Apr 14, 2005 11:26am PDT
  • #67
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    By: VegasX x
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    Hopefully this becomes an industry standard, like the sound card/processor and video card, otherwise this could just end up being really gimmicky.

    I would'nt want to invest in a $200+ piece of hardware that only 2 games will utilize.

    I'd also like to see how an RTS title like Acto fo War or Generals would do with something like this.

    Again, it would change alot I think in regards to the design of games. I'd liek to see all games using this kind of technology...otherwise I would never buy something just to see cool physics effects in Unreal Tournament 2008.
    Apr 14, 2005 10:21am PDT