Yamaha Rendering Polygon Accelerator Powers Next-Generation PC Games

Strategic Insights -

Yamaha's Rendering Polygon Accelerator (RPA), a cutting-edge technology, has been adopted by Future Vision, a software game developer, and Merit Studios, an entertainment producer and distributor, to create ultra-realistic effects in next-generation PC games. The collaboration aims to push the boundaries of virtual reality, with Future Vision's 3D engine and Yamaha's hardware solution delivering high-end features to the PC platform. "With Yamaha's texture mapping in hardware, we can heighten the virtual reality experience," said Nick Shaffner, Director of Research and Development, Future Vision.

Key Takeaways:

  • Future Vision and Merit Studios have partnered to create ultra-realistic effects in next-generation PC games using Yamaha's Rendering Polygon Accelerator (RPA).
  • The Yamaha RPA provides fast and powerful 3D graphics rendering for the PC at an unbeatable cost.
  • The technology enables features like texture mapping, Gouraud shading, hidden surface removal, video capture, and Bit Block Transfer.
  • Future Vision's 6 Degrees of Freedom 3D Engine will feature 64K-bit texture mapping in 640 x 480-bit resolution, providing a high level of speed and fluidity.
  • The Partnership aims to release their next venture, Harvester, in early 1996, mounted on the Future Vision 3D engine.
  • Yamaha RPA is the only 3D accelerator with texture mapping in hardware, set to be the only 3D hardware solution with a wide base of entertainment support for Christmas 1995 at consumer price points.
  • Merit Studios and Future Vision have recently developed Harvester, a haunting and grisly adventure game created by Gilbert P. Austin.
  • Yamaha Corporation of America, Systems Technology Division, has been established to manufacture and market integrated circuits, board-level products, and complete systems to OEMs and VARs.

Statistics:

  • Yamaha RPA provides 3D graphics rendering with a resolution of 640 x 480-bit.
  • The Future Vision 3D engine allows for 64K-bit texture mapping.
  • Yamaha RPA performs Gouraud shading, hidden surface removal, video capture, and Bit Block Transfer.
  • The Partnership aims to release their next venture, Harvester, in early 1996.

Sources:

  • "Future Vision, a software game developer, and Merit Studios, an entertainment producer and distributor, have adopted the Yamaha Rendering Polygon Accelerator (RPA)(YGV611) to power their drive toward ultra-realistic effects for next generation PC games."
  • Roddy McGinnis, Director of Product Development, Merit Studios
  • Nick Shaffner, Director of Research and Development, Future Vision
  • Henry Choy, graphics product manager for Yamaha Systems Technology