Today marks the 24th anniversary of 3dfx’s demise as a company. Founded in the mid-1990s, 3dfx revolutionized the gaming industry with its innovative Voodoo graphics accelerator technology. Despite being acquired by Nvidia, the brand still inspires gamers, enthusiasts, and makers worldwide.
The company’s maiden product, the Voodoo Graphics 3D chip, was released in 1995 and set a new standard for 3D graphics performance. Its dedicated 3D card, paired with a 2D accelerator, delivered unprecedented visuals to games like Doom and Quake. The original Voodoo was a massive success, but competitors like Matrox, Nvidia, and ATI eventually eroded its lead.
A series of unfortunate events led to 3dfx’s downfall, including failed acquisitions, patent disputes, and internal strife. The company decided it was best to fold, and its prized patents went to Nvidia.
Despite being absent from the market for over two decades, 3dfx’s legacy lives on in the hearts of enthusiasts and makers. Recent projects like VoodooX have sparked renewed interest in retro technology, with rare vintage hardware fetching astronomical prices.
The era that followed 3dfx’s emergence was marked by innovation and competition. Its impact is still felt today, with gamers eagerly awaiting the next round of advancements from Intel, AMD, and other manufacturers. As one enthusiast recalled, buying a Voodoo card was an exhilarating experience, and the technology’s influence can be seen in modern gaming hardware.
While 3dfx may not exist as a company anymore, its innovative spirit continues to shape the gaming industry.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/today-is-3d-graphics-pioneer-3dfxs-24th-death-anniversary-platform-still-inspires-gamers-enthusiasts-and-makers-long-after-nvidia-acquired-the-assets