Yep. cool article, just reinforces the idea
that 3dfx is not alone anymore in the 3D
chip battle. In the past (and present),
video chips seem to die off after 9 months
or so, then someone else comes along.
If there was no threat to 3dfx, this stock
would be much higher. I am pretty thrilled
to see the fierce competition.. the result..
COOL GAMES ! hee !
The "secret" nextGen chip from 3DFX (beyond V3)
should be designed for DX not GLIDE ! It would
make the developers alot happier to "CODE" only
one version of the game, namely in DX.. WHY?
GOAL: Make software (games) that will run and look the same
on any PC even with different video cards. How do you do this ?
Developers make games using DirectX. Chip companies
make "video chips" that support DX. Simple. Users can then
pick any video card and the game will play the same way.
Everyone is happy.
REALITY:
1. DX is gettter alot better, alot !
2. Chip companies don't want to develop their own proprietary
NON-DX compliant "chips", if so, they need to develop their
own special API (Software) and hope software developers will
use it to code games specifically made for that chip.
(This is what 3dfx has done well in the past due to BAD "old-school" DX, they were at the right place at the right time. DX sucked, hee!)
3. IF 3dfx doesn't want to support DX and insists in using
GLIDE, developers must choose to continue to develop for GLIDE (AND DX.) They will continue to develop with GLIDE as long as 3dfx
maintains or increases market share. They need to continue to do the "brand-name" "thing" and brain-wash users that they have the best 3D game chip even though competition is going to be fierce.
Pirate |
