The Death of 3DFX as predicted!!!
Dec 18 '00
Recently while doing some online research I came across what I found to be a rather disturbing article on the 3DFX web site. My original scare over this topic was generated back on 11/21/2000 when "VICWANG" placed an editorial entitled " Someday it may be " 3dfx AND nVidia". The editorial was written in a press release format and almost appeared to be real , causing my heart to skip a beat. It is no secret here that I am not a NVIDIA supporter by any means and this news was saddening to me. After my heart started to beat again and I finished reading the editorial I realized that this was only a "prediction' rather than fact. However much to my disliking this prediction has come true as of 12/15/2000.
3DFX has agreed to sell most of it's assets to NVIDIA thus ending all patent infringement litigation. "Assets included in the transaction include all 3dfx intellectual property and chip inventory as well as certain other assets. In addition, upon signing the definitive agreement, 3dfx transferred to NVIDIA the "3dfx" and "Voodoo" brand names and trademarks".
As any of us who follow the graphics card wars know , the war waged between 3DFX and NVIDIA recently has been anything but pretty. Both manufacturers where fighting a battle for the "top dog " of after market graphics cards. This has resulted in many confrontations between the two companies over the last few years. This move apparently in attempt to end the court battles will combine the two graphics chip giants into one. And 3DFX has agreed to dissolve itself after all sales of assets are completed.
So what does all this mean to the general public? Well there are various scenarios of what the outcome will yield in the near future. As a basis though consideration should be paid to the fact that not only does NVIDIA have there own line of chips such as the GEFORCE and its functionality. They now have acquired all of 3DFX's chipsets and functions. The two companies have run opposite sides of the fence for the longest time now. Both making advancements in the graphic chip fields as individuals. Now that they have basically been merged into one entity all technologies of both manufactures is now at the disposal of one manufacturer NVIDIA.
With that said it still remains to be seen as to what NVIDIA plans on doing with 3DFX's technology. The way I see it at this time is that NVIDIA has three choices of action to take in the matter. Some but not all will be extremely beneficial to the graphic's market. The three choices as I see it at this time are they can incorporate the 3DFX technology into their own , or they can leave the 3DFX line as it's own line under their control , or they can completely eradicate the 3DFX product line and chips from the retail market.
OPTION #1 - INCORPORATE 3DFX TECHNOLOGY INTO THEIR OWN
NVIDIA already having the powerful influence that they do over the graphic's card market has just gotten even better. NVIDIA's existing product line consists of the GEFORCE 2, GEFORCE 256 , TNT2 , VANTA ,QUADRO2 , and QUADRO chips can be expanded by adding the 3DFX chipset to the product line. Nvidia has most of the features that the 3DFX chipsets incorporate already with the exception of 3DFX patent products. These products include things such as the motion blur , depth of field blur , soft shadows , and soft reflections. As all of us already know 3DFX has superior Anti Aliasing technologies compared to that of NVIDIA. The reduction of jagged edges is just simply put handled much better using a 3DFX chipset. Now NVIDIA can tap into that architecture. Hopefully this is the route that NVIDIA will take, thus improving graphics cards by merging the technologies together to yield the best output.
OPTION # 2 - LEAVE 3DFX PRODUCTS AS STAND ALONE UNDER NVIDIA
This method is the next best scenario , in this setup NVIDIA can keep their product line separate form the 3DFX one. Meaning that although the two companies are now one there are still two separate product lines. NVIDIA can continue to advance both technologies independently effectively expanding there retail market presence. The Voodoo line can remain the Voodoo line that die hards such as myself have come to accept and love , while NVIDIA keeps their name on the GEFORCE 2 and the like.
OPTION # 3 - ERADICATE THE 3DFX PRODUCT LINE
Although this option seems to be feasible I do not see any real possibility of this happening. NVIDIA is spending good money on this acquisition and for good reason. They know that there is a demand for some of the features and functionality of the 3DFX line. Total eradication of the product line in my opinion would not be in NVIDIA's best interest. NVIDIA is now in a position to add serious gains to there company and reputation by successfully combining the two products as one.
CONCLUSION :
Over all I think that this outcome will be interesting and well worth anyone following the progress of graphic's processors to stay on top of. The next few years should be full of many interesting and great improvements in the field. The acquisition of 3DFX by NVIDIA will play a major role in the graphics field for years to come , the question is will it be good or bad? Hopefully in the long run this will work to better graphic's cards as we know them. The technology is constantly growing and changing with new faces emerging everyday and the battle will continue , although regretfully my knight in shinning armor "3DFX" has been laid to rest.
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