pimpium sent word of this interesting document that relates to the merger of 3dfx and Gigapixel. Apparently, Gigapixel got a contract with Microsft where they will try and get a superior graphics chip out before June 2001, after which Microsoft may excercise the option to drop NVida.

GigaPixel entered into a development agreement with Microsoft on February 18, 2000 to develop a highly advanced graphics chip design for use in Microsoft's soon-to-be-released "X-box." <snip> In early March, Microsoft advised GigaPixel that it intended to cancel the development agreement with GigaPixel and use another provider's 3D chips and technology. On March 31, 2000, Microsoft and GigaPixel entered into a release agreement under which Microsoft paid to GigaPixel the up-front development fees of $14 million as provided by the development agreement. The release agreement severs the proprietary development relationship between the companies and provides that GigaPixel will use its best efforts to deliver by June 2001 a non-proprietary sample of a product similar to the originally specified design. The non-proprietary sample is intended to demonstrate the features and performance of GigaPixel's advanced graphics chip technology. <snip>