These days, traditional video cards just don't seem to do the job as efficiently as in the past. Now, many new games from Id Software, LucasArts, and other big names in the industry are enhancing their games for 3D video. More realistic and immersive games are the results of support for the latest technologies. With help from software giants like Microsoft, the 3D revolution is helping to change the future of gaming.

Traditionally, video cards were designed to handle EGA and then VGA graphics. At the time, games were not being developed heavily for computers and Windows was just making its debut. These cards were basically used to process two-dimensional graphics like interactive menus, windows, and the like. Super VGA (SVGA) soon became the standard and a new breed of video boards hit the shelves. Computer games were beginning to become more common. Large software companies were now interested in developing games. Not surprisingly, the widespread interest in games helped to drive the video board market, causing it to continue improving on previous technologies.

Earlier this year, 3D video cards were just being brought into the mainstream. Unlike regular video subsystems, this new breed introduced much new advancement in video processing. New chips were designed to handle the processing of 3D objects (also called polygons) like that found in Quake. Z-buffering, anti-aliasing, and polygon rendering are just some of the new features that 3D cards have to offer. Two-dimensional cards do not have the specialized chips or built-in components and routines that are used to handle 3D graphics. Microsoft's DirectX driver technology (for Windows 95) has also helped to revolutionize the latest games. Shadows of the Empire, Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries, Quake II, and Tomb Raider 2 are just some of the new titles that support 3D video acceleration.

The difference in video quality is quite noticeable. Playing Jedi Knight with just a regular video board produces blocky objects, abundant pixelation, and "chunky" looking explosions. Shadows of the Empire won't even run without a 3D board. By contrast a 3D accelerator smoothes the surroundings and renders polygons quickly and efficiently. Pixelation is reduced and explosions look much more realistic. The drastic difference between the two types of video boards may be like looking out a foggy window compared to a clear one. It truly is substantial.

In my opinion, 3D video accelerators are just what the gaming industry has been waiting for. Finally, software companies can compete with console systems like Nintendo 64 or Sony Playstation. If you can spare the cash I would recommend buying one, especially if you are a core gamer. With the Matrox m3D starting at $99 U.S., it's almost difficult to pass it up. However, let the buyer beware! An absolute standard of technology has not yet been achieved. Be sure to check which 3D accelerators are supported by the latest software. If you are not in a rush, you might want to wait until spring of 1998 when the Voodoo II 3D chip hits the market. If you're not in a hurry, keep an eye out for the Voodoo II chip which is to be released in spring of 1998.

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