Neal:  I believe that the biggest issue is timing.  Game developers have such a challenge these days, to take advantage of all of the rich graphic features that the ATI video cards offer.  You wouldn’t believe how hard the folks at ATI are working, to make that job a little easier for developers. Help like code samples, technical support – and in some cases - helping to write the actual game code.  Even with all this help, the game developers have to prioritize features, because of the pressure that publishers, and the market, place on development schedules.  Many times, you’ll find that a developer has to drop features in order to make a schedule that they’ve committed to. HDR + AA may possibly be an example of that.  However, we’re putting our efforts into titles that will release now - and throughout this year.  I think you’ll be happy with the number of games released throughout this year that will really show the power of HDR + AA.  

Guru3D: Can you name some new upcoming titles that will have support for this lovely eye-candy and thus do you plan to push game-developers to integrate support for high dynamic range lighting with AA enabled in the future?

Neal:  We definitely plan to continue to show game developers why this feature is important for consumers.  The awesome positive response to HDR + AA in Oblivion is a great tool to show how a little effort on the development side of things can pay off with fantastic results.  I’m not in a position to announce features of games that aren’t quite finished (publishers don’t like when I do that).  However, we are working with some high-profile developers on their next games.  In addition, we’re always looking for opportunities to release a minor patch to our driver, that will enable these features in some of the biggest games.

Guru3D: I now like to direct this Q&A towards console versus PC gaming. Admittedly I'm a PC aficionado. I honestly don't have the interest to play my games on a console like the XBOX 360. I do however feel that the consoles are playing a bigger role in our home gaming environment compared to say a couple of years ago. Where do you think the future of gaming is to be found .. consoles or the PC and why? And what are the dis/advantages for both platforms?

Neal:  Another great question – one that is certainly on the minds of many, many gamers right now. I’ve been on both sides of this issue in my career.  I’ve had the opportunity to launch a console platform, as well as work on the development of both console, handheld and PC games. For quite awhile, I was very firm in my belief that the future of gaming was in the console world.  After working on all platforms, I’ve grown to look at the gaming market at less of a platform war, and more of an open playground where gameplay and superior graphics make the most difference. 

The advantages for console are four-fold:  First, when a “next-gen” console system is introduced, it typically has a technological edge of the PC world.  That doesn’t last too long, but certainly makes a big “splash” at introduction. Second, consoles are usually much easier to begin play – and significantly easier for configuring online play.  Just pop a disc into the machine and begin.  Third, a complete system can be purchased for under US $500 vs. double and triple that amount for a decent gaming rig.  Fourth, the console is typically easier to move into different rooms in the house and more convenient for the area with the largest TV screen.  It lends itself to enjoyment by an entire family, or a larger group of friends at one location.

The biggest advantage for the PC is that the technology – particularly the graphics – can be upgraded and improved over time.  Once you buy a console, you’re going to have to wait quite awhile for developers to figure out how to get much more performance out of that box.  Second, innovations in technology can be introduced on the PC much faster than on a console system.  This relates to several different kinds of technology – graphics, audio, networking…even game development tools.

My personal belief is that the future of gaming requires that both of these platforms remain healthy and viable.  We desperately need the innovation from the PC side to experience new gaming.  Those innovations eventually end up on the console side.  We need the ease-of-use to make its way from the console world over to the PC.  Each platform will have genres of games that work best on that particular platform.  For example – I don’t care what people tell me, I still haven’t had a good RTS gaming experience on a console.  It just doesn’t work, in my mind.  On the other hand, I haven’t had a meaningful sports-game experience on the PC.  Those differences in the platforms are to be celebrated and exploited.  I’m lucky enough to have every gaming system currently available…and I choose different platforms and different games for different moods and desires.  That choice is one of the most important things to preserve.