Physics Games and Physics-Based Game Downloads

HardOCP just posted an article exploring the distinction between hardware acceleration for “effects” physics, which typically run on the GPU, and “gameplay” physics, which typically run on dedicated silicon such as Ageia’s PhysX hardware. The issue with today’s GPU physics is that it’s difficult to hook into meaningful events within the physics simulation. You could simulate 20,000 bullets from a Gatling gun, but you wouldn’t be able to know when those bullets were striking targets in order to deal damage in your actual game system (when I asked a Havok rep about this at GDC, I was told the easiest solution is to do your own collision detection based on the objects’ positions, which seems like a lot of legwork).

The article interviews representatives from ATI, NVIDIA, Havok, and AGEIA. It ends with a predication that hardware-accelerated physics simulation will gain some serious traction over the next two years:

There is already one dedicated hardware processor on the block; Ageia with their PhysX processor. On the GPU side of things we believe that Windows Vista’s DX10 and DX10 GPUs will be the real start of physics acceleration on the PC using GPUs. Even though today’s GPUs are capable of effects and gameplay physics acceleration DX10 GPUs are really better suited for them. Hopefully 2007 and its released gaming titles will give us a much better look at just how hardware enabled physics will push gaming evolution.

Read the entire article for all the details.

Although a bit outside the scope of games, I thought this bit of research was interesting: BumpTop, a physically-based desktop interface. It seems gimmicky, at first, but it quickly becomes obvious that they’ve put a ton of thought into their work. I wonder if this sort of usability research will seep into the standard operating systems of the future.

A higher-res version of this video is available at the BumpTop website. Imagine what kind of games would be bundled with that kind of desktop OS!

Next Generation is reporting that Mark Healy’s physics-based fighting game, Rag Doll Kung Fu, is headed to retail stores in North America. Previously RDKF had been exclusively available via Steam, Valve’s digital distribution network. The retail version will have both a standalone version and a version integrated with Steam (for easy access to online updates, community support, and the like).

Next Generation previously reported on Healy’s new studio, Media Molecule. Their upcoming title is four months into development with a team of 10. No word yet if it’s a physics game.

I haven’t reviewed RDKF on the site, yet. It is arguably the most well-known physics game of the last few years, though, and definitely the most anticipated prior to its release. A review for it is forthcoming. For the record, I found it to be a huge disappointment. More on that in my review, though!