New CPU Tests

While the two graphics tests will receive the most attention, the CPU and feature-specific tests in 3DMark Vantage is also an impressive upgrade. These tests minimize the graphics load to such a degree than an "average" GPU will be able to handle the performance without trouble. There aren't any complex shaders or post-processing except for the "full-time HDR" renderer.

CPU Test 1: AI

Along the lines of Intel's technology demo, Ice Storm Fighters, this test uses a 3D path-finding algorithm to stress today's multicore CPUs. This feature will likely be important in the next-generation of real-time strategy games. In this test, the plane must follow the gates in order. Based upon physically-based flight model (what can feasibly be done in terms of changing your direction, etc), a number of random candidate paths are chosen. The best path from those random paths is selected. Repeat for every plane in the scene. One thread per CPU core is used.

Futuremark's white paper goes into extra detail to defend their algorithm as being a "reasonable" approach. On one hand, it seems inefficient to come up with a bunch of potential solutions and then to go for the best solution in that group. Why not solve for a the perfect solution first? A couple of reasons. Sometimes there is no ideal path. With this system, responsiveness of the path finding algorithm takes priority. Second, it's ensures built-in randomization so that objects don't look like robots. Lastly, it's an algorithm that is modular. By changing the "rules" of the flight model and the selection criteria defining "the best path," this algorithm can be used to determine a path for tanks, troops, and other types of airplanes.

I thought Calico had the most potential for a first-time developer's game. Once you develop a robust space engine, it's easy to create new levels/missions than would be the case with a first-person shooter. With this path finding algorithm, add +1 point to the speculation that Futuremark's first game is going to rely on "a ton of bad guys" on-screen.

CPU Test 2: Physics

This uses the Ageia PhysX library to simulate a plane breaking up into pieces. When an Ageia PPU is enabled, this test is hardware accelerated. In this test, planes crash into each other. The break-up on collision is physics-simulated as is the colored smoke. Cloth and soft-body materal properties are used for the gate. To parallelize the task, one gate is computed per CPU core.

A PPU is capable of computing 4 gate pairs (but requires one CPU core to simulate the rigid body simulations). This was done to ensure that peak utilization of the CPU and PPU are maintained.