PowerVR Shows MBX Chipset For Mobile Gaming

Imagination Technologies has announced a further demonstration of graphics support, via this week's ARM Developer Conference in Santa Clara, CA, for ARM chip-based mobile gaming using its PowerVR MBX graphics core. This graphics chipset enables the migration of complex 3D/2D graphics and video content to mobile platforms. Processors integrating the PowerVR MBX include the Renesas SH-M3, TI's OMAP2 2410 and 2420, and Intel's 2700G, used in currently high-end PocketPCs such as the Dell Axim X50V. Some games such as Aspyr's 3D puzzle game Enigmo are already optimized specificallly for the 2700G. Imagination are suggesting that the PowerVR MBX is "ready to enable a content revolution in mobile gaming", noting a feature set for mobile graphics including skinning, FSAA, internal 32-bit precision, T&L, Dot3 per pixel lighting, curved surface support and texture compression. The mobile 3D accelerator market, likely to be big for gaming, is continuing to see fierce competition involving similar parties to PC graphic cards and console technology. ATi’s Imageon graphics accelerator is already being used in TapWave’s Zodiac portable console/PDA, and NVidia's GoForceT 3D 4500 is powering Tiger Telematics' Gizmondo mobile handheld.