Topic: Intel to buy Havok (Physics)

[MysterD]

I dunno' what to make of this, yet...

...But, looks like Intel will buy Havok

   
Intel to Wreak Havok [September 15, 2007, 2:02 pm ET] - Viewing Comments

Intel to buy Irish game software tools firm reports that Intel is purchasing Havok, the creator of physics software used in both games and movies (thanks Mike Martinez). Word is the Dublin-based company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel, and that they will continue to operate independently.

[Xessive]

Hmm.. I'm not sure what to make of either, but it seems to make more sense than buying a completely separate PhysX card.

[Jedi]

Hmm.. I'm not sure what to make of either, but it seems to make more sense than buying a completely separate PhysX card.

Please let that be the out come of this.

[MysterD]

If Intel is trying to block Aegia from having a separate Physics card, then that'll be a good thing. Like we need another piece of equipment to need to place in our PC, as is.

If Intel integrates the Havok tech right along with their processors, that could actually be a good thing -- especially since most games use Havok, anyways. That'd one less Middleware for designers to have to purchase -- of course, that could drive up the price of the processor, I bet...

Though, anytime a big-time corp buys a little corp, we always wonder what may happen to the little corp -- and if things will fall apart by having such a buy-out.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it goes....

[Pugnate]

I saw this yesterday, and like everyone I am stumped.

[Xessive]

Y'know, I would get a PhysX card if it didn't cost more than $100, and even then it's a questionable expense. The problem is it doesn't enhance the physics on everything, only things are coded for it.

[Cobra951]

I know I'm making some assumptions here, but it doesn't stump me at all.  I've been strongly against the idea of separating physics from what already handles them, meaning CPU and math coprocessing.  You want more physics power, get these to be better, and code for them more efficiently.  By buying Havok, Intel can do exactly that.  We alrady have multiple cores.  How about dedicating one of them to physics?  Alternately, how about injecting some silicon steroids into the math coprocessing?  The last thing we want is processing that should be centralized waay the hell away on some card on the bus.

[Xessive]

I know I'm making some assumptions here, but it doesn't stump me at all.  I've been strongly against the idea of separating physics from what already handles them, meaning CPU and math coprocessing.  You want more physics power, get these to be better, and code for them more efficiently.  By buying Havok, Intel can do exactly that.  We alrady have multiple cores.  How about dedicating one of them to physics?  Alternately, how about injecting some silicon steroids into the math coprocessing?  The last thing we want is processing that should be centralized waay the hell away on some card on the bus.

I agree, but the uncertainty comes from not knowing what Intel will do with it. So far it's just speculation, but we hope that this is exactly what they will do.