Product category:
Programmable Logic Devices
News Release from: Altera Europe | Subject: MAX II
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 25 May 2006
CPLDs enable tradeoff-free console
design
Zapit Games and Nytric have used MAX II CPLDs to create a first-of-its-kind, highly affordable, interactive entertainment product for family-oriented gaming.
Zapit Games and its research and development partner Nytric have used Altera's MAX II CPLDs to create a first-of-its-kind, highly affordable, interactive entertainment product for family-oriented gaming, the Game Wave game console Nytric's designers used the Altera device as a bridge between the Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface (ATAPI) disk controller and the media processor in their development of the Zapit Game Wave console
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 11 Mar 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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New architecture rewrites CPLD rules
The MAX II family is based on a radical new version of the complex programmable logic device architecture.
CPLDs claim the edge
Altera has released new benchmark information showing that the MAX II device family delivers a 50% performance advantage over competing solutions.
This approach allowed a highly cost-competitive consumer product using a standard DVD-player chipset while providing the interactivity essential for simultaneous multiperson game play.
"The design freedom allowed by Altera's programmable devices let us use standard components to minimise costs, while achieving high-end functionality normally found only in more costly devices", said Christopher Locke, Executive Producer at Zapit Games.
"There were really zero design tradeoffs in using the Altera part".
The Zapit Game Wave is a DVD-based game console that hosts up to six players or teams.
Unlike other game consoles, Game Wave's emphasis is on player interaction similar to traditional board games.
The system uses up to six wireless remote controls for fast, wait-free interactive play of family-oriented content including trivia, word, casino and "parlour" games.
The console also acts as a DVD player.
"Game Wave demonstrates how industry innovators can leverage Altera CPLD solutions to achieve clear product differentiation while reducing their overall bill-of-materials", said Todd Scott, senior director of Altera's consumer/broadcast business unit.
"Design innovations like this deliver a clear advantage in the price-sensitive consumer marketplace".
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