I think some poeple are missing the point about GPU-based physics: physics simulation/collisions can probably be done in the vertex pipeline ...perhapswith the next generation of cards/directX.

In the meantime CPU-based physics are great as it is--look at Crysis, this game has amazing physics, and I'm pretty sure it either runs on the CPU or GPU.

This would eliminate out any need for an additional physics processor. The fact is, this isnt about whether consumers will buy a physics processor, but whether its really a good idea in the first place. I think not.

I wouldn't bet on Crysis running on a normal CPU/GPU setup, at least not with all the feature turned on. Their recommended hardware is dual-core with Vista (and I wouldn't be surprised if their demo machine ran something larger).

And, while I am impressed with Crysis, I've seen better physics demos and better graphics demos (not in a game, just on their own). Crysis is good, but it could be even faster and more stable if they had more "clocks".

As far as "just adding a second GPU", that's an expensive solution. If the average consumer could choose between a second GPU at $500 or a PPU for $250, the choice is clear. Even better if they could pay $100 extra and purchase a video card with an extra PPU chip on it.

This is kinda weird. A few weeks ago i was thinking about a card or chip that could be dedicated for physics... but then i thought.. that meant people would have to go out and buy more crap for there computers just for physics. I then concluded that it would be a stupid idea. But low and behold.

well, back on topic, i really dont think that we need it supported in 3dgs, or at least nort for a long time, reason being that, as already stated, its basically going to be for hard core gamers. How many AAA titles does 3dgs have yet, and not to put 3dgs down but there are just certain limits in other areas, that just makes it so that we dont need great physicss, i could c if it was like the doom3 engine, were graphics was great, but the fact is that with the lack of other incredibly great stuff, hard core gamers probably wont buy many games with 3dgs, and it wont be a selling point for our casual audience (not saying that we cant make top of the line games, its just not going to happen frequently at all)

Hardware support is only for hardcore right now, but that may change soon. If the upcoming DX10 video cards support it, then all the Vista gamers will have it (DX10 games will require new video cards).

Again, lots of *ifs*. But it is a good idea to watch this just in case.

I think that it will catch on...

ftp://videos%40ageia%2Ecom:goodstuff@66.220.3.57/cellfactor2_hd.zip

^ This is an in-game video of Cellfactor. It shows how the game will run in multiplayer on a capture the flag mission, using ageia/PhysX.

The Geforce 8800 gts and gtx are now capable of physics processing as well as the radeon 1950xtx on crossfire.
Physics has had a major leap in the past few months and we need to catch up.

Troublemaker just in tools about the ageia physix sdk being free for commercial and non-commercial use.
The Thread: http://www.coniserver.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/706449/Main/706436/#Post706449

The Link:
http://www.devmaster.net/

Regards,
Ayrus

From http://www.ageia.com/developers/index.htmlin why ageia?:

The AGEIA PhysX SDK is free for non-commercial use. Standard pricing for commercial use is $50,000/title/platform. Licensed developers who implement PhysX accelerator support in their PC title are not required to pay this fee.

That means we don't have to pay the fee unless we actually finish making a commercial game and start to sell it.

Knowledge Base
Developer Knowledge Base > Public >
How do I become a licensed developer and what are the licensing terms?
Costs
At present, the following two options are all that are available. We will likely never provide any sort of royalty-based license. Open-source usage is limited only to the most middleware-friendly license model--in other words, we retain full ownership and rights to our own IP, and what you ship of ours will still be specified by contract.
Free:
• Commercial & non-commercial use on PC
o Must keep registration information currect
o Must agree to the EULA at the time of download (pops up, but is copied below)
o Available for Windows & Linux (soon)
o No PhysX HW support requirement
• PS3 platform (through Sony pre-purchase)
• All platforms through some of our middleware partnerships, such as UE3, Gamebryo 2.2, and others
$50k per platform:
• Xbox 360
• Fee may be waived at our discretion for multi-platform developers providing PC HW support
• Fee may be waived at our discretion for some Tools & Middleware providers