142 replies to this topic

[Nemo]

PowerColor is working with OCC to determine the "next big thing". We all know about Eyefinity and 3D TV’s, but what do you see as the next big thing in graphics or visuals? We want to hear your ideas and the best three will picked to receive one of three PowerColor video cards. The top idea qualifies for a Radeon HD 5850 video card. The next two ideas will qualify the members for a HD 5550 card.

Post up your ideas in this thread and let us know what the next big thing is going to be. The contest runs from 6/28 - 7/5. Good Luck!

[Bosco]

Not that I am entering the contest, but I just wanted to throw an ideas out there.

Hopefully we might see some more GPU based cards. They are very few and it would be nice for some people get some SLI/CF options at lower price points.

Maybe higher refresh rates on monitors.

[cjloki]

Not that I am entering the contest, but I just wanted to throw an ideas out there.

Hopefully we might see some more GPU based cards. They are very few and it would be nice for some people get some SLI/CF options at lower price points.

Maybe higher refresh rates on monitors.

call me silly but i'm thinkin' fully immersive interactive holographic gaming, where the gamer is surrounded by hologrphic projections of scenery and artifacts, enemys/friends etc. the computerized digital gaming area recognizes the movements of the gamer and actions of say "weapons fire" in relation to the projections and adjusts the visuals accordingly. the holographic images could be produced by a projector similar to what is utilized by projection tv (i think hologram projectors are already available) and computer controlled. the gamer's movements can be monitored with wii-like or newer similar tech. so it boils down to putting the gamer in the action and have the action react to movements and actions of the gamer...motion and graphics being processed and projected holographically within a specific area rather than on a flatscreen...far fetched i know but i can't help it...i grew up in the blade runner, star wars era
kwik edit: most of this could be accomplished with off the shelf technology right now...some would have to be worked out...3d on a flat screen seems so uh "flat"
btw i don't need another graphics card but i do like idea brainstorming for fun...

[damian]

Personally i can't wait to see what developers will be working with in the coming years. It really is exciting to think what the next best thing is going to be. This might be a little to vague of an answer but in my opinion it's all about the programmers and their ambitions. I guess this works in conjunction with hardware but with the introduction of Tesla, Physics, and ever evolving 3d accelerators it's up to the programmers For example, the new CryEngine 3 includes many technological features to further improve graphics (just see for yourself) http://en.wikipedia....iki/CryEngine_3

Simply put, improved engines. Whether it be better lighting, mapping, rendering, etc, that's what makes the games stunning.

Awesome idea for a thread, i can't wait to hear more responses.


EDIT: Oh wait i got another idea, I'm guessing only one "submission" per person is a rule of thumb? And if not, well for the sake of the thread.
Mobility gaming (Laptops) That's what gamers could really benefit from. If anything, we need more efficient and longer battery lasting laptops. Hopefully we get Laptops that can compete with an average gaming computer, and doesn't act like an oven while doing so. This could also be a really be a big thing for gamers and their LAN parties. It might not be the next "best" thing but hopefully it could be one of them. It would also be an asset to electronic sports. I'm a big follower in the gaming competitive scene so this is something I would love to see come to life. Sure would help revenues therefore meaning more and more legit tournaments and less expensive electricity bills!

[RogerDeath]

I think that we need more effecient, cost-effective video cards. I often find myself limited at what I can get because I still use a 500w PSU and only have 1 6-pin (forget those stupid adapters, they scare me). I end up having to wait until the next series to get the high-end performance from the previous one. Case in point, I had to go with a 3870 over the 2900 XT due to 6-pin just as I did the 5770 over the 4870/4890 so I could actually play something recent. That brings me to the cost-effective portion, where I point out I usually end up waiting until the end of a card's production cycle before I end up getting it because it costs too much. I know ATi/AMD (they will always be ATi to me) has been trying to do this since the RV770 (48x0's base) but it still needs work! (only reason I even managed to get a 5770 was a gift certificate to Newegg).

Notice these two also go hand in hand! The older the card the lower the power needed (8800GT to 9800GT to GTS250) and usually the cheaper it gets. Can we start making a chipset series that is designed around the mid level and gets built upwards instead of this idea that everything needs to go from the top to the bottom. I'll probably end up waiting until NI comes out in 1-2 years before getting another graphics card because how long it takes for the top level card to finally fall to generally affordable levels, so designing for that market and upscaling everything makes a bit more sense to me. I get that Juniper is somewhat a realization of this compared to Cypress but it still needs to get done faster! I'll almost never be able to say I have a top-of-the-line card the way we are going now!

[xchrissypoox]

Seperate screen for HUD elements, it could be an lcd screen thats 2"x6" and touchscreen, this would also be very functional for things like photoshop so that you can use your main screen as a workspace only,
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Ultra widescreen monitors that cover 180 degrees around you, probably with 3d support. I realize I'm only combining things but still I'd pay more money for that then I would for eyefinity.
Also controllers with more face buttons and buttons on the back for all those wasted fingers, it's not visuals related but damn't I've always wanted it.
I recall seeing lights that made your room the median color of what was on your screen and it was pretty cool.

[danieljury3]

I find it difficult to imagine how the future of graphics technology will look without actually experiencing it like how I don't see how 3D can be much better than 2D because Ive never experienced it.
It also works in reverse to some extent like when I remember older games looking better than the actually are then actually play them and see how bad the graphics are (doesn't apply to retro games).

If I must suggest something though head mounted displays would be good especially if moving you head in real life could affect the game (maybe not so good for prolonged usage lest you get neck strain)

[malmsteenisgod]

I wouldn't really call this the next "big" thing, but it sounds like something very simple to implement that I've been wanting for a long time.

Now that Eyefinity is out and multi-monitor setups are more popular than ever, one of the things that deters me from getting multiple monitors is that monitors have about 1/2" thick frames around each edge, so if you combine two monitors together you end up with a 1" gap in the display. I find that gap to be annoying, and can be really bad if you're playing a shooter game and your cross-hair is going to be divided between two monitors. Eyefinity has a feature to compensate for this gap, but it doesn't really solve the problem. What I would like to see is monitors with removable edges and a feature to snap the monitors together from the back side of the monitors to give the appearance that you're looking at one large seamless display. I think this would be huge for Eyefinity, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds the edges of monitors as a deterrent from buying more monitors.

[slick2500]

I wouldn't really call this the next "big" thing, but it sounds like something very simple to implement that I've been wanting for a long time.

Now that Eyefinity is out and multi-monitor setups are more popular than ever, one of the things that deters me from getting multiple monitors is that monitors have about 1/2" thick frames around each edge, so if you combine two monitors together you end up with a 1" gap in the display. I find that gap to be annoying, and can be really bad if you're playing a shooter game and your cross-hair is going to be divided between two monitors. Eyefinity has a feature to compensate for this gap, but it doesn't really solve the problem. What I would like to see is monitors with removable edges and a feature to snap the monitors together from the back side of the monitors to give the appearance that you're looking at one large seamless display. I think this would be huge for Eyefinity, as I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds the edges of monitors as a deterrent from buying more monitors.

Dude I was thinking that same thing last night, like making a frame or cabinet or something that holds 3 or 6 monitors depending on what you are doing. You remove the lcd from the bezel and this frame or cabinet holds the lcds together so that the screens are just touching, and slightly angling the outside screens. I've actually got a general concept of how this could theoretically work in my head.

[joel.monteiro]

Well they can make a new custom graphic card called 5950,with two 5850 gpus ,if priced right it will sell.

[danieljury3]

Well they can make a new custom graphic card called 5950,with two 5850 gpus ,if priced right it will sell.

Dosent the 5870 fill that price gap

[kingdingeling]

Personally, I hope that OLED technology catches on some more, those screens have amazing colours and contrasts! I saw one back when I was at CeBit in 2008 or 2009, just a technical exercise from the manufacturer, but the colours were just breathtakingly crisp and clear!

But then again, I have no read up on that since back then, so it might actually already be on the way?