Graphics technology company, Nvidia, has announced acquisition of Ageia Technologies, the company behind PhysX software, in order to bring GeForce-accelerated PhysX to gamers around the world.

For those not in the know, PhysX is a chip that Ageia makes that makes killing and blowing up stuff with say a PlayStation controller all the more lifelike -- especially to the satisfaction of an entire generation of video gamers who probably know what it feels like when you hit a fuel truck with an RPG. Ageia acknowledges the fact that the processing power required to simulate events like explosions and smoke and fog is so huge -- that it took them a standalone chip to be able to drive that experience home, somewhat.

In the words of Ageia, its PhysX processor forms part of the "gaming power triangle", comprising the CPU, the GPU (either Nvidia or AMD's ATI), and the PhysX 'Physics processing unit". The company's Web site says that the third leg of this power triangle 'moves and interacts' to take gaming to the next level with pervasive dynamic motion and interaction.
Ageia's PhysX is claimed to be used in more than 140 PhysX-based games currently shipping, or under development for the Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, or gaming PCs.

Coming to the Nvidia acquisition of Ageia, the former hasn't released any further details on the same, which includes the amount it is shelling out to Ageia.

Nvidia's move comes after Intel acquired Irish company Havok in September 2007. Havok Physics, better known as Havok, are designed for computer and video games by allowing interaction between objects and characters in real-time.

The Nvidia acquisition is believed to change things considerably for Ageia -- more so if Nvidia achieves its goal of integrating PhysX into its future GPUs.

And since Nvidia GPUs are amongst the most widely used by gamers across the globe, the acquisition may push developers to include PhysX support, while opposing development of new and improved GPU-based Physics.

All said, it's unclear how long gamers may have to wait before they get to have their hands on Ageia Physics-powered Nvidia graphics cards. Also, whether or not Nvidia's current bunch of graphics cards will integrate the newly acquired technology.