Nintendo Extends S3 Texture Compression License

Nintendo and S3 Graphics have extended a licensing agreement that will see the console manufacturer make further use of S3's S3TC texture compression algorithms, continuing a decade-long parternship. The two companies began their texture compression relationship in the late 1990s, when S3 announced it had licensed S3TC to Nintendo for its upcoming then-codenamed Dolphin console, which was eventually marketed as the Nintendo GameCube. The technology has been employed by Nintendo ever since. Nintendo may be extending its license to apply the tech to its upcoming 3DS portable console, a more powerful Nintendo DS successor that will incorporate stereoscopic 3D graphics. "This agreement furthers our dedication to providing our game developers with leading compression technology to enable them to deliver the best possible gaming experience," said Nitnendo Integrated Research and Development Division GM Genyo Takeda in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our licensing arrangement with S3 Graphics." S3 says its texture compression tools allow for up to six-fold compression without affecting visual fidelity. Added S3 Graphics GM Dr. Ken Weng, "The license agreement reaffirms S3 Graphics' S3TC texture compression technology as the industry standard for both PC and game console graphics."