October 11th 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the GeForce 256, the original Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). With cutting edge technologies like hardware-accelerated transformation and lighting (T&L), combined with what was - for the time - brutal performance, GeForce 256 was a game-changer.

In this DF Direct special hosted by Alex Battaglia, we bring together Nvidia staff to discuss why this product was so important. On the panel, we have:

John Montrym, Chief Architect John Spitzer, VP of Developer and Performance Technologies Nick Stam, Director of Technical Marketing - and Editor-in-Chief of PC Mag in 1999 Jacob Freeman, GeForce Evangelist

00:00 Overview and introductions 06:44 What does GeForce 256 mean to you? What has its impact been? 12:23 GeForce 256 feature uptake 15:00 Hardware transform and lighting and its importance 17:56 GeForce 256 development milestones 20:40 GeForce 256’s initial impact on games 24:43 Reactions to GeForce 256 30:33 Environment mapping 35:01 Reviewing the GeForce 256 39:33 What the GeForce 256 meant beyond gaming 41:16 The GeForce 256’s lasting legacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices