PS4 Gets Nvidia PhysX and APEX support

[Gahars]

Ever since Sony's big PlayStation 4 reveal a few weeks back, there's been a slow trickle of information regarding its upcoming console. Piece by piece, we're sizing up the final package.

Many companies have been pledging their support, N'-vidia is one of them.

Graphics card maker Nvidia has confirmed PhysX And APEX support for the PlayStation 4.

"Game designers use PhysX and APEX technologies for collision detection and simulation of rigid bodies, clothing, fluids, particle systems and more across a wide range of platforms, including desktop PCs, game consoles, and mobile and handheld devices," explained the firm.

"Taking PhysX technology content creation to the next level, NVIDIA APEX technology lets artists create intricate physics-enabled environments. They can expand the quantity and visual quality of destructible objects; make smoke and other particle-based fluids integral to game play; and create life-like clothing that interacts with the character's body to achieve more realism in their games," it added.

CVG

Here's a video demonstration of PhysX in action.

All in all, their presence is definitely a positive sign. I like seeing Nvidia going the PhysXtra mile here, and the fact that they threw in APEX support proves that they're not monkeying around. Beyond that, it's always good to hear that developers have more to work with, and I'm sure we'll see some dazzling sights in the years to come. If the console can provide a steady stream of quality games, it should have a bright future.

TL,DR:

 

[NightsOwl]

This makes me think it's going to be even more expensive than what I initially thought.

Quite frankly, that's scary.

And yes, I'm poor.

 

[Treeko]

This makes me think it's going to be even more expensive than what I initially thought.

Quite frankly, that's scary.

And yes, I'm poor.

Sorry but sony forgot about people like us since the ps2 and yes that was 13 years ago -_-

 

[NightsOwl]

Sorry but sony forgot about people like us since the ps2 and yes that was 13 years ago -_-

13 years ago or not. I've actually been buying PS2 games only as of late. You can't beat 14 (good) games for 100 bucks.

I just hope the PS4 is under $500.

 

[AceWarhead]

My mind says yes.
But my wallet says no.

 

[Rydian]

Nvidia's had carts that support PhysX for ~five years.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/physx_gpus.html
Some of these are cheap and still good enough for consoles to use their core.

 

[raulpica]

Nvidia's had carts that support PhysX for ~five years.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/physx_gpus.html
Some of these are cheap and still good enough for consoles to use their core.

Well duh, didn't you know that PS4 stands for PC-Station 4?

 

[Rizsparky]

The tech demo was quite impressive. Dear wallet, please materialise funds..

 

[Guild McCommunist]

wat a bunch of gfx whores!!!!!

 

[NightsOwl]

wat a bunch of gfx whores!!!!!

i no rite. go pley txt geam u gfx horez.

 

[Chary]

Looks nice, but I have a feeling that the price is going to hurt.

 

[Celice]

I wonder how the PC-master-race will greet it's tiny distant cousin of a PS4.

Probably with distant laughter if Sony doesn't push for mod-support. Or complete distant sorrow if they do (and capitalize upon/butcher the user-centric side of things).

 

[DiscostewSM]

That PhysX demonstration shown in the link didn't really impress me, simply because it was using the same effect over and over again. I hope actual use of PhysX allows for a wider range of effects.

 

[Auryn]

Well, I don't know you but I almost prefer that demo without PhisX.
Maybe I am being nostalgic of old times where we bothered more about story and gameplay than graphics or I am getting too old and confused if there are too many things on screen

 

[trumpet-205]

Well, the likely scenario is Sony let one of the CPU core to run PhysX.

As for price increase, unlikely, since Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii all have PhysX (Wii doesn't employ Nvidia GPU).

 

[Deleted_171835]

meh

the only time physx has really impressed me was in mirror's edge. it's not anything too special from what I've seen aside from that.

 

[chavosaur]

The debris and stuff is pretty neat.
But the excessive sparklies are excessive...

 

[Foxi4]

Kinda makes you wonder why people get their panties in a bunch when PhysX chips are mounted even on budget cards and do no greatly inflate their price. This doesn't mean that the PS4 will magically become expensive.

It does make you wonder though - AMD APU and NVidia technology in one box... interesting.

 

[Minox]

Kinda makes you wonder why people get their panties in a bunch when PhysX chips are mounted even on budget cards and do no greatly inflate their price. This doesn't mean that the PS4 will magically become expensive.

The reason PhysX does not inflate the price of GPUs is because it runs on top of the already existing GPU cores. There haven't been a dedicated PPU unit available for a couple of years now because Nvidia focused on making said ability possible on all their newer GPUs instead.

 

[Foxi4]

The reason PhysX does not inflate the price of GPUs is because it runs on top of the already existing GPU cores. There haven't been a dedicated PPU unit available for a couple of years now because Nvidia focused on making said ability possible on all their newer GPUs instead.

I was just underlining the fact that the fountain of tears this causes and will continue to cause is unwarranted, but an explaination for those who think this will make the console more expensive is always welcome.