Nvidia
Corporation announced Nvidia APEX, a new capability to
its PhysX technology development software development kit (SDK), during GDC 2009. It provides artists, level designers, and game developers with a set of tools that streamline the process of implementing scalable
physics across multiple platforms for next-generation titles. Attendees at GDC are invited to see a live demonstration of Nvidia APEX at the Nvidia booth (#656 in the West Hall).
With Nvidia PhysX technology, game developers can design worlds that literally come to life: walls can be torn down, glass can be shattered, trees bend in the wind, and water flows with body and force. Designed as a modular framework that works in concert with existing PhysX SDKs, Nvidia APEX makes it easy for developers to add detailed physics effects to their games and helps them optimize the gaming experience across multiple platforms with a simple “author once” cross platform content creation feature. This enables APEX to not only help developers accelerate the time it takes to author new games, but will also help them reduce overall development costs in the process. The APEX toolset will be available free of charge for licensed Nvidia PhysX developers and is already being integrated into some of the world’s most popular development libraries and game engines, including Emergent Game Technologies’ Gamebryo LightSpeed.
Another key component of APEX is the support for new plug-in modules, each of which provide a “high level” interface enabling artists and level designers to facilitate turnkey physics content creation with little or no programmer involvement. At GDC, Nvidia is showcasing three new modules—destruction, clothing, and vegetation—each adding specific game dynamics functionality for fully-featured content authoring. Available for use on all major gaming platforms including the PC; Xbox360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii, additional APEX modules are in development by Nvidia and APEX developer partners.