Linux-based gamers can now play Quake III Arena with Matrox G400 graphics cards

Market Wire, 20050229

Matrox Graphics Inc. today announced that Quake III Arena for Linux, published by Loki Entertainment Software, contains the OpenGL GLX driver developed by members of the Linux community and John Carmack of id Software. GLX is also available for download at www.matrox.com, where it will always be posted in its most recent build.

GLX is the first driver to allow owners of Matrox G400 and G200-based graphics cards to play games based on the Quake engine, including Quake II and Quake III, on the Linux platform. It is the brainchild of dozens of Linux aficionados worldwide, who voluntarily began coding it in late 1998. John Carmack, creator of the Quake series, got involved in the project in the spring of 1999 after receiving numerous technical queries from Linux coders working from the public Matrox G200 chip specs.

"I was very impressed with the quality of work that had been done before I joined the project," said John Carmack, co-founder and lead programmer of id Software, "and since then we have brought the performance up to a level comparable to the windows drivers. A lot of people are getting good use out of the drivers now. Matrox's release of hardware register documentation for their products has been a very positive move that shows signs of leading a new trend in the industry."

"I personally put GLX to the test, and can tell you it's a robust driver that we felt very comfortable putting in the box," said Scott Draeker, president, Loki Entertainment Software. "In the last year, the demand for Linux as a desktop and gaming platform has grown steadily from essentially no commercial titles to eight this Christmas season, and we're excited to offer this support to Matrox users."

About Linux

Linux, the operating system based on the open-source concept, has grown to an estimated user base of 10-15 million since being created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading IT media, research and exposition company, Linux commercial shipments will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 25 percent from 1999 through 2003, more than double the rate for all other server operating environments combined. For more information about Linux, see http://www.linux.com.

About Matrox

Matrox Graphics Inc. is the only graphics chip designer and card manufacturer who draws on 23 years of industry experience to provide customers with state-of-the-art 2D, 3D and digital video acceleration, vibrant image quality and real-world functionality. A quality and innovation leader, Matrox has been recognized with an unprecedented 700 international awards for the Millennium, Marvel, Productiva and Mystique product lines. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Matrox is a privately held company with international offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Hong Kong. Information about Matrox products, drivers, technical support and more can be found at www.matrox.com.