Funcom and NVIDIA have entered a strategic partnership in order to further improve the visual quality in AGE OF CONAN, one of the most technologically advanced massively multiplayer online (MMO) games in development. Engineers from the two companies are already working closely together to achieve this ambitious goal, while preparing the game for DX10, Microsoft Windows Vista and the impressive new NVIDIA GeForce 8800 range of graphic cards.
As a part of the agreement, AGE OF CONAN enters NVIDIA's "The Way It's Meant To Be Played" program, which ensures smooth compatibility with NVIDIA products as well as engineering and marketing support. As the developer of a key MMO title in the program, Funcom has received extensive onsite aid ever since the first hand-built prototypes of the DX10 enabled graphics cards came around, all to give AGE OF CONAN players the best graphical experience possible.
"Solid and fun gameplay is our mantra, and we never compromise on that, but as we enter a revolutionary new generation of PC graphics technology we are given the power to create worlds with unprecedented beauty and depth," said Trond Arne Aas, ceo of Funcom. "We are therefore delighted to match our talents with NVIDIA engineers to create the most realistic MMO graphics seen to date. Not only will this be essential for the visual experience in AGE OF CONAN, but also for the visual impact in our future MMOs."
Roy Taylor, NVIDIA's vp of developer relations, explains: "Our key objective in working with developers is to ensure that they have all the tools and support they need to make the most of NVIDIA's hardware's capabilities."
AGE OF CONAN: HYBORIAN ADVENTURES is a Showcase title for Windows Vista, and the game won "Best MMO of E3" awards from IGN, GameSpot, GameSpy and Yahoo.
Be sure to check out the brand new Age of Conan trailer released by NVIDIA and Funcom. The video is downloadable from http://community.ageofconan.com under Videos and from the nZone website hosted by NVIDIA. You can also get it directly from the following FTP address: ftp://ftp.funcom.com/media/Age_of_Conan/. The videos are titled "NVIDIA Trailer."
Funcom (www.funcom.com) is an independent developer and publisher of online games for PC, consoles and mobile platforms. Recent successes include THE LONGEST JOURNEY, ANARCHY ONLINE and DREAMFALL: THE LONGEST JOURNEY.
NVIDIA Corp. (www.nvidia.co.uk and www.nvidia.com) is a worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies. The company creates innovative, industry-changing products for computing, consumer electronics and mobile devices. NVIDIA is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has offices throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Eidos Interactive Ltd. is part of SCi Ent. Group Plc. (SEG) one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software. Eidos consists of publishing operations across Europe and the U.S. and several development studios, including Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, Beautiful Game Studios, Eidos Studios Hungary, Eidos Sweden and Pivotal Games. The Group has a valuable combined portfolio of intellectual property, including: Tomb Raider, Hitman, Deus Ex, Championship Manager, Carmageddon, the Conflict series and Just Cause. Some of the titles currently in development include: KANE & LYNCH: DEAD MEN, CROSSFIRE, BATTLESTATIONS: MIDWAY, CHILI CON CARNAGE and HIGHLANDER.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
