AGEIA @ Game Developers Conference

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by Rob Williams on March 22, 2006 in Trade Shows

Our very own Greg King is at this years GDC with the focus on AGEIA to see what they are up to. We hope to discover a lot within the next few days to see what they are up to, and hopefully to see when we will finally be able to get our hands on an actual card. We will keep this article updated as we gather new info.

Page 8 – Vanguard – Saga of Heroes


Sigil Games Online Supports AGEIA PhysX Processor in MMO Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

AGEIA PhysX-Enabled MMORPG from Microsoft Game Studios Already Attracting thousands of Beta Testers and a Host of Affiliated Fansites

MOUNTAIN VIEW and SAN JOSE, Calif. March 22, 2006 AGEIA Technologies, Inc., the pioneer in hardware-accelerated physics for games, today announced that the upcoming MMORPG title Vanguard: Saga of Heroes developed by Sigil Games Online, Inc. will include advanced physics features designed specifically for the action acceleration of the AGEIA PhysX processor. Sigil Games is also researching the possibility of utilizing PhysX for enhanced server-side acceleration of visibility and collision detection, which could lead to improved performance for online players.

Published by Microsoft Game Studios, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is a third-generation massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) that offers an online world of incredible detail and interactivity. Players can walk the streets of a bustling city, stop for a drink in a tavern, cross the desert by horseback, or explore the high seas. This immersive world of swords and sorcery, dragons and knights, is made intensely realistic through the combination of stunning visuals and the extraordinary physics acceleration of the AGEIA PhysX processor.

The goal forVanguard: Saga of Heroes is to immerse the player in a fantastic realm of magic and adventure, so its only natural to leverage the power of the AGEIA PhysX processor for amazing spell and weapons effects, said Ryan Elam, Director of Technology of Sigil Games. Were also very excited about the prospect of accelerating server-side functionality to improve the gameplay experience.

The AGEIA PhysX processor works in concert with the CPU and GPU to balance the computing demands of physics, gameplay and graphics in PCs. As a result, gamers can experience unprecedented levels of action, strategy and visuals in next-generation games.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is attracting a huge amount of attention for a game in this stage of development, and AGEIA PhysX technology is helping to build that excitement, said Kathy Schoback, vice president of content acquisition at AGEIA. With the retail launch of the AGEIA PhysX processor on the immediate horizon, we encourage Vanguard beta testers to take it for a spin and see what AGEIA PhysX action acceleration is all about.

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as Age of Empires, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming Gears of War and franchises such as Halo, Fable, Project Gotham Racing and Forza Motorsport; and MSN Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and Hexic.

About Sigil Games Online, Inc.

Sigil Games Online is a development studio completely dedicated to making massively multiplayer online games that are both revolutionary and evolutionary. The company is comprised of an all-star team of experienced developers with an impressive pedigree of commercially successful and critically acclaimed online games including EverQuest and many of its expansions, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Asherons Call, City of Heroes, The Matrix Online, and more. Team members also have experience working with a variety of gaming platforms including Xbox, PlayStation (1, 2, and 3), handheld devices and of course, the PC. Sigils first project, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, will be published by Microsoft Games Studio and is scheduled for release in 2006.

For more information please visit http://www.sigilgames.com. Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and the Vanguard logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sigil Games Online, Inc.

About AGEIA

GEIA Technologies, Inc., is the pioneer of hardware-accelerated physics for PC games and has developed the worlds first dedicated physics processor, the AGEIA PhysX processor. The AGEIA PhysX processor powers massive and pervasive real-time interactive worlds that for the first time obey the laws of classical physics. AGEIA provides a world-class cross platform software development kit to simplify advanced physics programming for the PhysX processor, as well next-generation gaming consoles. AGEIA is changing the face of gaming by working with more than sixty leading developers and publishers to deliver the next generation of physically immersive entertainment. The company, headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is privately-held. For more information visit http://www.ageia.com.


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Rob Williams

Rob founded Techgage in 2005 to be an 'Advocate of the consumer', focusing on fair reviews and keeping people apprised of news in the tech world. Catering to both enthusiasts and businesses alike; from desktop gaming to professional workstations, and all the supporting software.

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