nVidia Signs Activision

NVidia Corporation has scored a coup for its forthcoming 128-bit 3D processor RIVA TNT with Monday's announcement that it is forming a strategic partnership with Activision to "provide a suite of Activision's new titles that fully utilizes nVidia's latest 3D technology." Under the terms of the relationship, Activision will have access to nVidia's hardware, software, and development tools to maximize both image quality and performance under Microsoft's Direct3D API.

NVidia's RIVA family of 3D processors, which includes the RIVA 128, RIVA 128ZX, and RIVA TNT, is the company's attempt to bring Direct3D performance to the mainstream PC market using 128-bit 3D processors. RIVA processors, optimized for both Direct3D and OpenGL, are designed to deliver high frame rates in 3D applications like games, as well as 2D, VGA, and video acceleration in single chip iterations.

Activision's titles that have been quality tested and optimized to work with the RIVA family of 3D processors will bear the nVidia logo on the package. According to nVidia, titles that will sport such a logo include: Asteroids, Heavy Gear 2, and Interstate '82.