We were little worried that Dark Void, staying without updates on GPU PhysX support status since first press-release, will follow the way of other “abandoned” PhysX titles, like Terminator Salvation. Fortunately, certain sources indicates that PC version of Dark Void is going to be shown at CES 2010, being held in Las Vegas on January 7-10.

According to capcom-unity.com, Dark Void “with special Nvidia-powered PhysX enhancements” will be presented at PC Gaming Alliance Booth – North Hall #5616.

Moreover, user Zed X, referring to invitation for CES show, reports on XtremeSystems.com forums that NVIDIA will showcase one GF100 (Fermi) card running Dark Void on three monitors setup, with PhysX effects and 3D Vision enabled.

We’ll try to keep an eye on this, and will inform you on all PhysX related news from CES.

Update: according to BigDownload.com, PC demo of Dark Void won’t be released, while console demos will be available this week.

Update #2: First Dark Void PhysX trailer

According to recent Q&A roundup with developers, ArcaniA: A Gothic Tale, new title from Gothic series, will use PhysX SDK as physics engine.

Wird für die Physik Havok oder PhysX verwendet?
Was wird man für Physikspielereien im Spiel sehen außer die Umfall-Animation bei sterbenden NPCs (z. B. Fahnen etc)?

Spellbound verwendet dafür PhysX.

ArcaniA: A Gothic Tale is based on Vision Engine 7, which, in addition, includes both Havok and Bullet integrations, however PhysX SDK was preferred over other physics options. Meanwhile, since ArcaniA is console oriented, it unlikely will feature support of hardware accelerated PhysX effects, so PC version is going to be equal for ATI and Nvidia users. (Update: confirmed by developers)

It is noteworthy that previous Gothic games, like Gothic 3 and Risen, are based on PhysX SDK too.

Chinese website EXPreview.com has brough us some interesting details about certain GPU PhysX games, targeting 2010 release. Slides directly from Nvidia provide us with info about additional PhysX features and 3D Vision support status.

Honestly, presented games are specific, oriented mostly on asian market, but don’t forget about major titles with GPU PhysX support, like Dark Void or Metro 2033.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sequel to much-talked-of Batman: Arkham Asylum title was announced yersterday on Spike’s Video Game Award Show. No additional details were revealed except short trailer and teaser website – http://www.arkhamhasmoved.com/

Original Batman: Arkham Asylum is one of the best titles in GPU PhysX games library, lets hope Nvidia won’t loose opportunity to enhance Batman’s sequel with even greather hardware accelerated PhysX content.

We’ve added GPU PhysX Info profile for Sacred 2: Ice & Blood. As this add-on installs over Sacred 2 game, it has all GPU PhysX content from original title, but also adds new PhysX enhanced spells effects for new playble character - Dragon Mage. And this time more then two. As always, we’ve prepared comparison PhysX video.

Surprisingly, but recently released PC version of Star Trek: D-A-C title has never-mentioned-before additional GPU PhysX content. Effects are minimal – extra debris emitted by damaged ships and very very slight difference in explosions, you probably will not even notice. As always, we’ve prepared short comparison video, showcasing game with enabled and disabled PhysX option:

GPU PhysX Info mini-site for Star Trek: D-A-C is located here

P.S. interesting is completely silence from Nvidia (not a single mention for past year) – are they ashamed of Star Trek: D-A-C (you can’t call this game good PhysX title) or is this surprise for them too ?

Attack of the 50ft Robot!, developed by students at DigiPen Institute of Technology, is great example of well-formed indie title. Game takes place in 1950s B-movies style setting, spiced with black-and-white old projector postfilter. Chased by tanks, helicopter und ufos, Giant Robot, controlled by player, grinds whole city in return.

Fast every building can be smash to pieces, and massive-scale rigid body dynamics is handled by PhysX SDK.

Gameplay trailer

You can download Attack of the 50ft Robot! here (158 mb)

We’ve finally (better late than never) uploaded our PhysX comparison screenshots pack for Batman Arkham Asylum. Like screenshots for Darkest of Days title, these are triple-screens, covering differences between High, Normal and Off PhysX in-game settings.

While inequality between High and Off PhysX settings is obvious, High vs Normal difference is not so evident: comparing to High PhysX settings, there is less dynamic smoke and spider webs, ground fog is missing, some cloth banners are unavailable, only like 1/3 amount of leaves is present on Normal PhysX settings.

You can view all screens at Batman Arkham Asylum GPU PhysX info mini-site

or watch our PhysX comparison video

Following ACGI event, short demo video of Biart’s biEngine was uploaded to YouTube. biEngine is the technology behind U-WARS, tactical shooter with GPU PhysX support, slated for 2010 release.

Video is showcasing some nice explosions, destructible environment, physically simulated smoke, as well as underwater scenes.

Update: english version available

Metro 2033 title by 4A Games studio, based on “Metro 2033″ novel by Dmitry Glukhovsky, will be published by THQ and is slated for release in Q1 2010 for PC and Xbox 360. Story will be focused on survival in post-apocalyptic Moscow subway system.

According to our information, this title will not only use PhysX SDK for all in-game physics calculations on CPU, but will feature supplementary GPU PhysX content as well.

Quoting develop-online.net article

“Metro 2033 boasts some of the most advanced graphics and PhysX effects we’ve ever seen,” said Ujesh Desai, vice president of GPU business at NVIDIA. “From what we’ve seen so far, this will be a showcase PC gaming title for 2010.”