21. A Complete Tub of Crap

Guy English returns this week to discuss 3D graphics APIs, so hold on to your butts.

We start with the origins of the GPU, and recount the evolution of graphics APIs. We dig in to what a modern GPU actually does, and then discuss Apple’s new graphics API, Metal. Guy and Nigel reminisce about just how horrible programming for the PlayStation 2 was, we talk latency, and finally Guy explores his relationship with Riddler trophies.

• OpenGL
• The good but weird Voodoo GPUs
• 3dfx’ Glide API
• Microsoft Direct3D’s long winding path
• GLQuake
• Retained Mode, an evolutionary dead end in graphics APIs that lives again
• The Geforce 3 and programmable shaders
• Metal, Apple’s new low-level 3D API
• John Carmack on MegaTextures
• Guy’s MacWorld article on Metal
• Steamclock’s 3D Map of the Internet app
• John Carmack’s battle with latency and Oculus Rift
• Guy and Rene Ritchie’s excellent podcast, Debug
• Batman: Arkham Origins reviews
• The Hearthstone tournament that attempted to ban women