http://ageia.vnewscenter.com/press.jsp?id=1115657068817
They're doing middleware for the PS3, indicating that the PS3 will probably have enough power for full on physics simulation; with the extra headroom afforded by the CELL able to do some physics work while the RSX is maxed out, without requiring a dedicated 'physics board'.
No indication of special physics unit development for the X360 at this time.
This news has pretty much gone under the radar at GAF, but it might represent one of the more significant advantages the PS3 will enjoy over the Xbox360; with accurate physics simulations for tens of thousands of 'bones', PS3 graphics will enjoy advantages such as accurate dynamically animated hair clothing and other soft surfaces, large and accurate destruction of rigid as well as multisegmented bodies (so a car accurately wrapping around a tree after a highspeed collision, or a wooden hut getting blown into thousands of splintered pieces).
It will also effect character animation, allowing hand set animation to combine realistically with the flexibility and ridgidity of the human skeletal structure, while modelling bone on muscle on skin effects.
This is the kind of stuff that could present an advancement in how games play, not just look, with developers not having to rely on arbitary barriers, instead allowing for 'natural' solutions to problems. Have a rocket launcher and a wall as your problem? Blow a hole in the wall. Anywhere; no hunting around for an arbitary crack point in a wall or some such.
They're doing middleware for the PS3, indicating that the PS3 will probably have enough power for full on physics simulation; with the extra headroom afforded by the CELL able to do some physics work while the RSX is maxed out, without requiring a dedicated 'physics board'.
No indication of special physics unit development for the X360 at this time.
This news has pretty much gone under the radar at GAF, but it might represent one of the more significant advantages the PS3 will enjoy over the Xbox360; with accurate physics simulations for tens of thousands of 'bones', PS3 graphics will enjoy advantages such as accurate dynamically animated hair clothing and other soft surfaces, large and accurate destruction of rigid as well as multisegmented bodies (so a car accurately wrapping around a tree after a highspeed collision, or a wooden hut getting blown into thousands of splintered pieces).
It will also effect character animation, allowing hand set animation to combine realistically with the flexibility and ridgidity of the human skeletal structure, while modelling bone on muscle on skin effects.
This is the kind of stuff that could present an advancement in how games play, not just look, with developers not having to rely on arbitary barriers, instead allowing for 'natural' solutions to problems. Have a rocket launcher and a wall as your problem? Blow a hole in the wall. Anywhere; no hunting around for an arbitary crack point in a wall or some such.
