Two game engine integrate NVIDIA PhysX technology

Posted on Thursday, March 26 2009 @ 15:15 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
NVIDIA send out a news bulletin from the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco that two cross-platform game engines have integrated the PhysX technology. First up is BigWorld Technology 2.0, this engine is used for MMOGs and virtual worlds. A list of upcoming games based on this game engine can be viewed here, Stargate Worlds seems like the most well known game, and the page also indicates Sierra Online is working on an undisclosed game title with the BigWorld Technology 2.0 engine.
"NVIDIA PhysX technology is the preeminent physics solution available today, and it makes perfect sense to integrate this functionality directly into BigWorld Technology 2.0," said Gavin Longhurst, vice president of BigWorld. "This potent pairing ensures developers will have at their disposal the latest software and tools that will allow them to enhance online social interaction and develop virtual worlds complete with dynamic, realistic, and interactive environments."

At its core, NVIDIA PhysX technology was designed to give developers, animators, level designers, and artists unprecedented creative control over character and object physical interactions by allowing them to author scalable physics effects and preview them in real time. With NVIDIA PhysX technology, game worlds literally come to life: walls can be torn down, glass can be shattered, trees bend in the wind, and water flows with body and force. PhysX technology works across all major gaming platforms, including Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and the PC, and can be accelerated by both the CPU and can be accelerated by both the CPU and any CUDA(TM)-enabled NVIDIA GPU.
The other engine that has adopted NVIDIA PhysX is Trinigy Vision Engine 7, this engine is used by companies like Ubisoft, Firefly, Take 2, Neowiz, Dreamcatcher and Spellbound.
As a result, Trinigy Vision Engine licensees will gain access to NVIDIA PhysX(TM) technology for the PC, Xbox360(TM), PLAYSTATION(R)3 and Nintendo Wii(TM) as an integral part of the Vision SDK license at no additional charge.

"Most of our customers have been choosing NVIDIA PhysX technology for adding life-like physics to their games," said Dag Frommhold, Managing Partner at Trinigy. "Thus, we are pleased that our licensees will now be able to utilize state-of-the-art physics technology for PCs and consoles alike."

The Trinigy Vision Engine 7 is one of the world's most advanced technologies for professional game development. Currently in use in numerous commercial game productions all over the world, by well-known companies such as Ubisoft, Firefly, Take 2, Neowiz, Dreamcatcher, Spellbound and others, the Vision Engine has proven its versatility for use in a multitude of game genres, including real-time strategy, racing, first person shooters, role-playing games and massively multiplayer online (MMO) games.

With NVIDIA PhysX technology, developers can incorporate effects such as rigid body dynamics, collision detection, and cloth simulation that dramatically change the way the games are played and how the on-screen stories unfold, and then accelerate those effects using the processing power of the CPU and any CUDA(TM)-enabled NVIDIA GPU.

"NVIDIA has a great and long partnership with Trinigy starting way back in 2001," added Tony Tony Tamasi, senior vice president of content and technology at NVIDIA. "The combination of PhysX technology with the Vision Engine will give developers a unique, compelling, and innovative platform on which to create the world's most popular games."


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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