NVIDIA nTeresting Newsletter - 31 August 2012

In This Issue:

· At IFA this week, Epic and NVIDIA demonstrated the Unreal Engine 3 running on a Windows RT device for the first time ever.

· NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics solutions continue to flex their muscles.

· Horn hits Goggle Play and shows off the graphics capabilities of Tegra 3.

· Sony debuted the Tegra 3-powered Sony Xperia Tablet S this week at IFA.

· Granny Smith mixes racing and platform gaming for Tegra 3 devices. Grab it on TegraZone.

First Time Ever: UE3 on RT

This week at IFA in Berlin, Asus showed off their Tegra-powered Vivo Tab RT device. As part of the event, NVIDIA demonstrated the Unreal Engine 3 landmark tech demo Epic Citadel running on a Windows RT device for the first time ever. Watch it on this video.

"Epic VP Mark Rein noted that this is the full Unreal Engine 3, using the "full DirectX 9 pipeline, with shaders and materials," and not a "modified mobile version".

This is a big leap forward for the Windows RT ecosystem because one of the top game engines is now available for developers to begin creating amazing games for Windows RT.

"NVIDIA appears to have answered one of them emphatically today though: Windows 8 games are going to look absolutely sick. See for yourself. Above is a Tegra-powered ASUS Vivo Tab RT play running Epic Citadel, an Unreal Engine 3-based game that looks smooth and beautiful and kablammo and yowza."

The award-winning Unreal Engine 3 is one of the world's most popular game engines. It operates on nine platforms, with more than 20 integrated technologies and has been licensed for more than 225 game titles. It's clear that Unreal Engine 3 will be a boon for Windows RT development.

Demonstrating the achievement on a Tegra 3-powered ASUS Vivo Tab RT, it played a buttery-smooth version of Epic Citadel, suggesting that developers of both PC and Xbox games should have no problem in bringing them over to the new operating system."

NVIDIA Tegra will be the only quad-core processor for Windows RT launch devices. As a result, Tegra 3 will deliver outstanding performance and amazing gaming experiences. Thanks to our close relationships with game developers, we've brought console-quality gaming to mobile devices (see the latest games at Tegrazone.com).

"The demo ran smoothly on NVIDIA's Tegra 3 SoC, at 35 - 45 fps according to the video below. Getting UE3 up and running on Windows RT is a big step. Microsoft's trump card in ultra mobile race has always been its role in the game industry."

This is just one of the things NVIDIA is doing to support the Windows RT platform. Stay tuned for more great announcements as we get closer to Windows RT launch on Oct. 26.

NVIDIA Quadro, Still On Top

AMD has a new line-up of professional graphics solutions, so naturally the press are making comparisons. Long-time reviewer Theo Valich got his hands on them and took them for a spin. In his initial tests of the new AMD FirePro lineup, here is what he found:

"From these initial results, AMD has plenty of work ahead to optimize the drivers in order to get their parts competitive against almost two year old Quadro cards, yet alone the brand new, Kepler-based Quadro K5000. NVIDIA has proven its position as the undisputed leader (over 90% share) and AMD has to go on an aggressive tangent to build its challenge. For now, we cannot recommend investments valued in thousands of dollars for parts which do not beat two-year old competitors."

Theo's comments echo another seasoned reviewer's comments, Joel Hruska's, from his review posted to Hot Hardware earlier this month, where he comments:

"The way things currently stack up with these new [AMD FirePro] pro graphics cards, AMD's sales and marketing departments are writing checks that this hardware cannot cash. To be perfectly candid, we found the W8000 and W9000's performance disappointing,..."

NVIDIA Quadro GPUs are designed, built and tested by NVIDIA to provide the superb reliability, compatibility and dependability that professionals require, and Quadro GPUs are certified and recommended by leading software application providers worldwide.

Horn Strikes A Perfect Note

With the incredible performance capabilities of Tegra 3 hardware like the Nexus 7, mobile games are rapidly approaching their console brethren and there's no better example of that today than Horn. Launching on Google Play exclusively for Tegra devices, the revolutionary third-person action-adventure game has left reviewers in awe:

"Again, the graphics are seriously impressive, and thanks to the one and only NVIDIA Tegra 3 you'll be playing along smooth as butter (can't say the same for the iPad version) and the improved visuals on Android will surely make all gamers happy."

"Horn for Tegra 3 devices is a go - Console-quality looking graphics in your hands"

"This game takes on fabulous cinematics and next-level battle and places it on the mobile platform on a grand scale. With the four cores of the Tegra 3 you'll be heading off the enemies of the blacksmith's apprentice, leading you ever closer to the final crown."

Think Legend of Zelda meets Infinity Blade and add exclusive Tegra 3 enhancements such as richer and more crisp textures along with interesting effects that the iOS version lacks. Head over to TegraZone and grab this game by the Horns.

Meet the Sony Xperia Tablet S

Sony's newest addition to their line of tablets made its debut at IFA this week. Powered by Tegra 3, the Sony Xperia Tablet S features bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity, an 8MP camera on the back with a 1MP HD web snapper on the front too. The likes of Walkman, Music Unlimited and Sony's movies app will keep going, and going, and going, with a 6000mAh battery which will give you 10 hours of web browsing or 12 hours of video playback from a full charge.

And it may become your TV's new best friend. Added macro ability means you'll be able to use the enhanced remote control app to program a sequence of commands, creating up to six macros. There's also an app called Watch Now, a visual guide letting you browse via cover art. By syncing Facebook, Twitter and GetGlue the app can build preferences and monitor what's trending to deliver recommendations.

Strong under the hood, it's not short on looks either:

"I really liked the Tablet S's form factor, and the Xperia Tablet S follows up. This is a fun tablet to hold... it's light and good looking."

When you want to hand off the Xperia Tablet S to Junior or another family member, you can engage Guest Mode. In this mode users will be able to set their own wallpaper and organize their apps and widgets however they want. And if you want to have control over what your kids can access, you can use the intuitive parental controls. Keep an eye out for the Sony Xperia Tablet S, launching in September.

Go Granny Go!

An apple bandit is on the loose, but not to fear with the free-wheelin' Granny Smith on the prowl. Featured on TegraZone, Granny Smith is a whimsical blend of racing and platforming that puts you in control of one rock rollin' granny as she skates, soars and crashes through walls to get her stolen apples back from a chubby little bandit. Simple, yet enjoyable gameplay coupled with the power of Tegra, Granny Smith has concocted the perfect recipe:

"Granny Smith, quite possible could be one of the more silly, fun, and addicting games I have played in a while."

"You get that little bit of extra oompf from the Tegra. Be honest, that little bit of extra oompf is why we bought Tegra devices to start with."

"You'll have replay mode to make sure you see the sweetest crashes and fabulously realistic physics run by your NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor for all the fun you can handle"

Granny Smith is fun for all ages yet challenging enough for more hardcore Android gamers as the veterans from Mediocre - makers of Tegra-optimized games Sprinkle and Sprinkle Jr. - appear to have another hit on their hands.