why ageia decided to release physx for windows for free?

publicENEMY

01-11-2006 19:47:55

i have been an avid physx user for quite some time(used it in my master thesis project). the decision ageia made recently really makes me pull my hair out.

the questions is, why did ageia decided to release physx for windows platform free even for commercial use?

the answer...(my bestest guess)

to save the hardware (ppu card) bussiness.

what do you think?

betajaen

01-11-2006 20:01:10

Could be.

I expect the non-commercial user base is quite big, probably more so than the commercial, that could of changed their minds.

However it's not completely free, you do have to go through a "process" and perhaps a review.

I'm more surprised we have a Linux version, perhaps thats why. To please the Open Source crowd.

CaseyB

01-11-2006 20:37:54

It could also be that the PC (both Windows and Linux) users are a small enough section of their market that they wouldn't lose much by giving it away, but stood to gain a lot from the their precieved good-will. publicENEMY is also probably right because if you're designing a commercial game and can get PhysX for free why wouldn't you. And if more games use PhysX then more gamers would be apt to buy the hardware.

Game_Ender

01-11-2006 21:19:09

Have they released the source for free? I think most game companies will still pay to have support so they can ease integration into their engine and to be able to modify the code to suit there needs.

betajaen

01-11-2006 21:35:29

Oh no. They'd be bankrupt if they did. Strictly commercial only, even then I'm sure it's controlled and monitored.

Bekas

01-11-2006 22:46:03

However it's not completely free, you do have to go through a "process" and perhaps a review.
Can you explain a bit more ? I thought it went free like Newton (which AFAIK doesn't restrict you), isn't this the case ?

betajaen

01-11-2006 23:00:57

Hmm. I just re-read the post (on the other thread), I was mistaken. I believe I got confused with some article on Ageia's devsupport I read a few days ago, it must of been out of date.

publicENEMY

02-11-2006 15:50:15

nevertheless, once i have enough money, ill buy a ppu card to show my support.

<~Creatine~>

13-11-2006 19:52:45

"The AGEIA PhysX SDK is now free for use on PC under our new EULA--for both commercial and non-commercial use. All we ask is that you accurately filled in and maintain the *required fields in your registration details for this site ("My Support->My Setting" if you already have an account)."

Hmm is it (will be) really free for commercial use? Very interesting. :P