NVIDIA Open Sources PhysX GPU Kernel and Flow SDK | Roblox release date 2004 | Video game download | PS5 sales games | Turtles AI

NVIDIA has fully open-sourced the PhysX SDK, including the previously unavailable GPU simulation kernel source code. This update, which includes over 500 CUDA kernels, is licensed under the BSD-3 license and opens up new opportunities for developers and modders. However, the new GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs no longer support 32-bit CUDA applications, impacting compatibility with some games that used PhysX.

Key Points:

• GPU Source Code Release: NVIDIA has open-sourced the entire PhysX SDK GPU simulation kernel source code, licensed under the BSD-3 license.
• Impact on RTX 50 Series GPUs: The new GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs no longer support 32-bit CUDA applications, impacting the gaming experience for titles that depended on PhysX.
• Community Opportunity: The code release provides developers and modders with the opportunity to adapt and improve game compatibility with new GPUs.
• Technology Evolution: The transition to 64-bit applications is a step toward performance optimization, although it may impact compatibility with older software.

NVIDIA recently announced that the latest version of the PhysX SDK now includes the full source code for the GPU simulation kernel, which was previously not publicly available. This update marks a significant step in NVIDIA’s strategy of opening up and sharing code, providing the developer and modder community with the opportunity to explore and modify over 500 CUDA kernels that power features such as rigid body dynamics, fluid simulation, and deformable objects. All of these components are now available under the BSD-3 license, providing flexibility and freedom of use.

However, this development comes at a time when the new GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs are showing significant changes in application support. Specifically, NVIDIA has removed support for 32-bit CUDA applications on these new graphics cards. This decision has raised concerns among users, as many older games that used PhysX for advanced graphics effects now suffer from compromised performance or no support at all for these effects. Titles such as "Mirror’s Edge", "Batman: Arkham Asylum" and "Borderlands 2" have been cited as examples of games that suffer from this lack of support.

The modding and development community is now exploring how to adapt these games to the new architectures, using recently released source code. The goal is to restore or improve the gaming experience on newer hardware, while addressing the challenges posed by dropping support for 32-bit applications. This highlights the importance of continued collaboration between NVIDIA and its large developer community, to ensure that technological innovations do not compromise access to and compatibility with the rich legacy of existing gaming.

While opening up the PhysX SDK source code presents an opportunity for innovation and adaptation, it is essential that NVIDIA carefully consider the compatibility implications with its new GPUs to adequately support both modern and legacy applications.