CellFactor running without the PPU

Seems that some people could run CellFactor without the PPU:

http://tomshardware.co.uk/2006/07/19/is ... index.html
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1056037

I'm afraid that Ageia could end bankrupt and this wonderfull library discontinued....

I want to use the Ageia because the performance (even without PPU) and the features it has (edit: i dont care about the PPU at all), but since the SDK is free.... how are they going to earn money?

I guess royalties and support of the SDK. They won't go bankrupt though.

The PPU (in it's current iteration at least) is pretty useless, a dual core CPU will surpass it's functionality (from what I've read) apart from hardware fluids. Ageia however is pretty safe, seeing as they have developed one of the most popular Physics SDKs available, and we musn't forget that the Unreal 3 engine is powered by PhysX, so that's potentially a lot of next-gen customers using PhysX.

EDIT: The SDK is only free for non-commercial use, the commercial license is very expensive.

I thought the SDK became free for commercial use as well?

I thought the SDK became free for commercial use as well?

It is free to develop commercial games with PhysX SDK now, for free. But you have to fill in some information on AGEIA's developer page to get
you free commercial license.

You lot are also forgetting about support and a super commercial license, with access to the PhysX source code. Something I'm sure Unreal has. There is also branding of the PhysX name and trademark which like Havok is a good seller.

Besides, I'm sure Ageia makes lots of money, how else would they employ those talented individuals that develop our beloved library?

I thought the SDK became free for commercial use as well?

It is free to develop commercial games with PhysX SDK now, for free. But you have to fill in some information on AGEIA's developer page to get
you free commercial license.
I had thought the free commercial license was only for titles with 'substantial physics content'. But maybe that's changed.

From the Ageia site:
What Does It Cost?

The AGEIA PhysX SDK is free for non-commercial use. Standard pricing for commercial use is $50,000/title/platform. Licensed developers who implement PhysX accelerator support in their PC title are not required to pay this fee.

Oh, it's free. That section seems to be out of date, if you check some other parts of the support site, the new release thread on their forums for example.

I see. After reading their forums, it would seem that only PC is mentioned as free under their EULA license. Therefore implying that their money is made from the console licenses.

It'd make sense. Console SDKs are expensive, and I imagine you'd have to be in the right circle to get them.

Not only that, consoles are probably easier to develop for than the PC, and they have more sales.

Free:

* Commercial & non-commercial use on PC
o Must keep registration information currect
o Must agree to the EULA at the time of download (pops up, but is copied below)
o Available for Windows & Linux (soon)
o No PhysX HW support requirement
* PS3 platform (through Sony pre-purchase)
* All platforms through some of our middleware partnerships, such as UE3, Gamebryo 2.2, and others


since i'm not a native english speaker i dont exactly understand the meaning of this phrase:
PS3 platform (through Sony pre-purchase)

"through Sony pre-purchase" ?
you pay to Sony and then Sony pays something to Ageia ?
Ageia in PS3 platform is also free ?
i dont understand.

Anyway i think (i have faith) we're going to have Ageia for some years...

You buy the PS3 SDK, then probably the PhysX SDK comes with it or you buy the PhysX SDK from Sony.

Either way, I expect it would be expensive. Console programming is quite exclusive.