By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Sony Discussion - Nvidia offers 'PhysX' for Sony PlayStation 3, what the hell is that about?

blackstar on 18 March 2009

Nvidia offers 'PhysX' for Sony PlayStation 3

by Brooke Crothers

Nvidia on Tuesday said it has signed a license agreement with Sony to provide PhysX technology for the PlayStation 3.

Nvidia's PhysX technology--based on the laws of physics--enables game objects to respond in a realistic way to physical events. More conventional technology uses a canned response, in which the same response is repeated over and over.

For example, a window breaks, or a person falls the same way every time. In a PhysX-enabled football sports game, however, the angle and velocity of the impact is calculated by the graphics processor to generate a real-time response that is different practically every time.

The agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment covers tools and middleware for the PlayStation 3. As a result, the binary version of the Nvidia PhysX technology software development kit (SDK) is available to registered PS3 developers for free download and use on the Sony Computer Entertainment developer network, Nvidia said in a statement.

Nvidia described the SDK as "a full-featured (application programming interface) and robust physics engine, designed to give developers, animators, level designers, and artists unprecedented creative control over character and object physical interactions by allowing them to author and preview physics effects in real time."

In December, Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive Software adopted Nvidia's PhysX technology.-

-----------------------------------------

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10198809-64.html

-----------------------------------------

what is that about? simpler language pretty plz



Around the Network
Squall_Leonhart on 18 March 2009

Sounds like they have made a software upgrade for the GFX card in the PS3 that allows for more realistic physics to be used in games... Not a bad thing at all!



Cthulhu on 18 March 2009

This means that the PS3 has a lot more to give to this generation



masterb8tr on 18 March 2009

hhmm that means ps3 developers gets physx for free, while wii and 360 devlopers got to pay. At least thats what i think.



Gilgamesh on 18 March 2009

I like my Playstation 3 :)

It just keeps getting better!



Around the Network
hatmoza 2.0 on 18 March 2009

Thats good news my friend



largedarryl on 18 March 2009

I don't really understand how this is going to help development for the PS3. My current understanding is that current development for the PS3 is by designing the physics engine around the cell. Since most PS3 games are utilizing the GPU as much as possible, using this middleware SDK will only reduce the GPUs ability to perform it other tasks.



largedarryl on 18 March 2009

@kowenicki, well if that is the case, it doesn't change anything. Most PS3 games that are using licensed engines (ala unreal), won't see any difference in pricing. As for custom gaming engines, aren't most of the physics engines designed around SPE utilization anyway.



blackstar on 18 March 2009
kowenicki said:
@largedarryl

correct... I dont think this is even news. It is just a licensing agreement that aids developers.


Sporry fanboys... this isn't an issue about power... every platform uses it.

not the ps3 >.>

and what does that have to do with the fanboys? >.>



blackstar on 18 March 2009
kowenicki said:
@blackstar

yes it does use it... check the lists i posted.

 

lol, there is "Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire" , from what i understand it's one of the worst games ever, ok i'm sorry u were right but i still don't see the fanboys that post here ....