Is a PPU in Xbox360 still possible?
- Thread starter skilzygw
- Start date
Will you people stop with the damn PPU crap. The X-Box has a PPU, it's called 3 VMX units. The CELL has a PPU, it's called eight SPEs. The only device that needs a PPU really is the PC.
I can't believe how bizarrely successful PPU vaporware announcements have been. I half jokingly speculated that someone should create a PPU (as well as a Scene Graph Processing Unit) a few years ago on this BBS. The types of calculations needed for physics are a perfect match for SPEs or VMXs coupled to high bandwidth streams. No PPU needed.
I can't believe how bizarrely successful PPU vaporware announcements have been. I half jokingly speculated that someone should create a PPU (as well as a Scene Graph Processing Unit) a few years ago on this BBS. The types of calculations needed for physics are a perfect match for SPEs or VMXs coupled to high bandwidth streams. No PPU needed.
Joe DeFuria
Legend
DemoCoder said:
Seconded...
Would you believe that one of the console site reports (not sure which one at the moment...team xbox?) listed two potential negatives / disappointments with XB360:
1) Lack of HD DVD drive (though not surprised given timing of launch)
2) Lack of PPU!
I kid you not....
Joe DeFuria
Legend
This area is pretty diverse...some really nice areas and some lesser desirable areas.
How about I just chill out and you cut my lawn? 8)
How about I just chill out and you cut my lawn? 8)
Game design has become unfocused, providing players with more of every superficial little option and detail but not with deeper interactivity. The bloat of characters and levels which gamers don't even take the time to fully play through drive content development and game budgets passed the point of profitable return.
However, games don't need a million little throwaway details. Taking a game with even a small set of objects, defining their behavior under a natural physics model, and forming the challenge out of the depth of interactivity that results for the user can be far more feasible to develop and far more engaging to play.
Physics are going to be crucial for defining a true next-generation gaming experience, and the performance gains seen from specializing in it will be more noticeable than the functionality seen from generalizing system resources. A massive MPU like X360's multi-core or PS3's CELL-based chip might be generalizing too much of their system's potential to effectively compete against a more modest MPU backed by a PPU in a next-generation climate where physics finally emerge into their rightfully prominent place.
However, games don't need a million little throwaway details. Taking a game with even a small set of objects, defining their behavior under a natural physics model, and forming the challenge out of the depth of interactivity that results for the user can be far more feasible to develop and far more engaging to play.
Physics are going to be crucial for defining a true next-generation gaming experience, and the performance gains seen from specializing in it will be more noticeable than the functionality seen from generalizing system resources. A massive MPU like X360's multi-core or PS3's CELL-based chip might be generalizing too much of their system's potential to effectively compete against a more modest MPU backed by a PPU in a next-generation climate where physics finally emerge into their rightfully prominent place.
I, and others people, kept on repeating this since the beginning of this PPU illness.DemoCoder said:
But it didn't stop, and it won't stop people, to bring this, again and again, until, at least, all the three next-gen console are released... And are on the shelves.
Ageia really did an incredible job with its PR BS...
croc hunter2
Newcomer
The PPU has an IC count above the Xbox360 CPU. Its a big arse chip, and no doubt reasonably expensive too. Cost may preclude it from going into a console anytime soon.
Looks like this PPU nonsense has been an upset to MS, creating a false and totally unfounded hope that's become a bitter disappointment.
Overall I think this next-gen will be the most demoralising of all gaming platforms. I think the hype-wagons have driven expectations through the roof and everyone's looking for a long fall.
Overall I think this next-gen will be the most demoralising of all gaming platforms. I think the hype-wagons have driven expectations through the roof and everyone's looking for a long fall.
DuckThor Evil
Legend
Shifty Geezer said:
Yes it seems so.
Not to me though, I'm happy with 720p some AA, everything else is extra, and I'm sure there is more. It's funny that in normal discussions people here accuse other people of being graphics whores and saying that graphics aren't everything, where is that talk now. I see plenty of graphics whores around
.assen:
Physics should be applied to give more dimension to what's already in games. The construction of an enemy fortress could use support blocks which really keep it standing, and the player battling inside could be given ways to tear it down a little which would give them an entirely new level of interactivity to execute new kinds of battle strategies. Or the player could be given tools to build structures instead, solving challenges with physically sound construction.
Physics calculations could also be used to do more interactive things with audio.
Physics are designable. There's going to be a learning curve in developing how things move and interact just like there's been in developing how things look with graphics.
Just as a flashy show of graphics or sound shouldn't be used to completely define gameplay, neither should physics.
Physics should be applied to give more dimension to what's already in games. The construction of an enemy fortress could use support blocks which really keep it standing, and the player battling inside could be given ways to tear it down a little which would give them an entirely new level of interactivity to execute new kinds of battle strategies. Or the player could be given tools to build structures instead, solving challenges with physically sound construction.
Physics calculations could also be used to do more interactive things with audio.
Just as good graphics don't have to use a photorealistic style, good physics don't have to be realisitc forces. They just have to behave naturally within the concept of their world, the more detailed the better.
It would be ~the same number of trans.Shifty Geezer said:
Exactly, people are expecting a $300 console to outdo a $1800 computer with $400 video card instead of just matching it.
I remember when I was really into PC gaming and the ps2 came out. I was over a buddys and he was playing Unreal Tournament for the PS2. I could only think how much nicer the game looked on my PC so i never got a ps2 and missed out on some good games in the process.
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