3dfx Conspiracy?

BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
3dfx Conspiracy



<< Well this post is going to sound a bit hoaxy at first. Even I thought it was a little goofy and I still believe it might be false information, but I'm not shure.

understand all the facts came clear about it. Now, I'm very good at sorting out what rumors are fact and fiction. Up till now, I've successfully figured out which rumors are and are not true.
This is going to be a bit hard to explain, but I will try to keep it so it will not loose your attention and you will fully understand what it is I am trying to get through.

About 20 minutes ago I went to several different random technical chat rooms. I will NOT give out any information as to were I went because I do beleive this people want to remain anonomyous for different reasons.

Joining the chat, I was suddenly watching words from others type onto the screen that basically said
3DFX's downfall is a conspiracy. I thought it was a joke, but everyone else, after I had asked
them about the situation, told me much more information to make me actually wonder about the downfall of 3DFX.

The people of this room kept ranting on about how 3DFX had a &quot;DROPBOX&quot;. They said 3DFX knew they were going to have to sell to NVIDIA... Now remember this because I was told this was very important. NVIDIA bought 3DFX core graphics, license, products, etc. for a large amount of money.

But, a few days before selling the company to NVIDIA, they had a &quot;gag&quot; meeting, where as no information in the meeting would be permiited to be talked about after the meeting itself. Supposedly, in this meeting, 3DFX had broke different people into groups. Supposedly Group A, Group B, and Group C. Each one of these groups were assigned to do something. Group A to design software and tech support, Group B to design Hardware, and Group C to take care of finicial Aid and marketing for the first two groups. This meeting was held in 3DFX's main office in Texas.So, why would 3DFX break up their company into &quot;groups&quot; to do specific things if their company was going to sell to NVIDIA anyway, and then just dissolve later? Then, what had shocked me most was the answer to the above question was to &quot;Recreate 3DFX under a different title, thus all the fincial Debt would be clear from the original 3DFX -- meaning although these 3 groups are re-creating 3DFX, the past problems of the original company are gone, giving these guys a fresh new start&quot;.

I still really didn't beleive much of it because there were still many unanswered questions that I had asked. Then, it hit me. I asked &quot;Well, how can these 3 groups survive? they don't have any money to make it for more than a month.&quot;
The answer I had received to that question was &quot;Why do you think 3DFX decided to sell to NVIDIA.

If they would have went bankrupt, they would have lost the company forever. By selling that stuff for about $100 million to NVIDIA, it allows the older management and corporation to fund and pay these 3 groups until they have successfully regenerated 3DFX under a title&quot;. And whats even stranger.... these guys kept telling me 3DFX has just used and ripped-off NVIDIA. They outsmarted NVIDIA, using their money that they made from selling stuff to fund their &quot;dropbox&quot; groups in hopes to resart the company.

So, why were these guys upset? I later found out they were NVIDIOTS, and very upset at this news of 3DFX's brilliant idea.


But, what do you all think this do be fact or fiction? I really want your opinions because it sounds a bit fake, but in the same way, it sounds a bit &quot;realistic&quot;... Is this possible?

Anyones opinion is welcome,

Justin Strunk
>>

 

edblor

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2000
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My understanding of the sell-off, is that 3Dfx sold intellectual properties, rights and licensing to NVidia.

If they are to form a new 3Dfx under one of these three groups you spoke of, they will need to literally start from scratch with new technology.

Now the former 3Dfx may have some technology they did not sell to NVidia, but I doubt that. Remember 3Dfx was was being sued by Nvidia and vice-versa. I think this is a bunch of cr@p.

Either way, 3Dfx won't have the manpower, resources, funding, technology, plants, capital, or really anything to start a new Company.

Good luck to them if this is true though

Edblor and a simple 0.02...
 

BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
hmmm... if you read the entire thread, a point comes up that they may have stashed 100m+ away, and if they file for bankruptcy, they can keep their patents and start up the company again under a new name and a fresh start.
 

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
13,640
1
71
It would be interesting if true. Remember when 3dfx had the Voodoo1 and nVidia had basically nothing, and now look where they are...but I really have to doubt it, I've heard rumours to that effect before...

3dfx bought gigapixel for $150 million and now they are selling GP and all their own stuff for a measly $112 million....that doesn't much sound like outsmarting nVidia that sounds like nVidia sitting in the wings and waiting until 3dfx was right good and fvcked (pardon my language) and buying them up for chump change. So 3dfx lost $38 million and all the graphics IP they had before they bought GP and some stuff they've developed since....(they lose inventory and stuff to nVidia as well but that stuff is worthless...it's the IP that's worth money)

No I think nVidia has the last laugh here....

Though 3 weeks ago I was doubting the rumours of 3dfx's dissolve so I obviously don't know half of what I think I do.
 

Mikewarrior2

Diamond Member
Oct 20, 1999
7,132
0
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There's so much spin on the 3dfx/Nvidia issue, that who knows what the truth really is. I've heard so many different conspiracy issues that it is pretty damn laughable.

I think we're gonna need a salt-truck for many months with all the different &quot;theory's&quot; flying around.


Mike
 

j@cko

Diamond Member
Feb 13, 2000
3,814
0
0
I agree, if 3dfx is going to form a new company, then they will need to license most of technologies from Nvidia, which doesn't make sense at all.
 

Boogak

Diamond Member
Feb 2, 2000
3,302
0
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If they're really thinking about restarting with the 3 core groups, they'll have to restart with entirely brand new technology. Nothing can be based on any of their current or future technologies 3dfx was working on prior to being bought by nVidia. So if that's the case, it might as well just be a new company period, not 3dfx 2.0.
 

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
13,640
1
71


<< has 3dfx even been sold to nvidia yet though? >>

No the 3dfx shareholders have to approve it. But it's either sell or file Chapter 11. If they file Chapter 11 they make no money. If they sell and get enough money then they can pay their debts and maybe make some payments to the shareholders, so I think the shareholders will approve, that way they have a chance at getting some money.

Maybe they can find someone willing to pay more...but I doubt it...the agreement has been made, it's just a vote now...
 

BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
but say they did stash away a bunch of money and filed for bankruptcy, they would have a fresh new start with all their technology and patents and the money they stashed.

I'm sure that money could be used to keep their heads above water while hoping that the rampage and fear could save them.
 

Soccerman

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,378
0
0
:)

you have to admit, it's an interesting story!

however, I have a more simple theory. it goes somewhat like this:

1) 3dfx's managerial decisions have gone haywire
2) 3dfx was getting close to (or is AT) the time when they have absolutely no money
3) the managers, being the idiots they are, do not trust the companies ability to complete Rampage on time, therefor, begin to look for the highest bidder to take their assets etc.
4) nVidia outbid's everyone, thus eliminating the main competition in the field, (which would have been a major pain in the neck, becuase nVidia was up against a wall, with next to no bandwidth, and fillrate saving techniques available to them, not to mention, no SLI). good decision on their part.
5) 3dfx's managers, being one of 2 types of company owners, completes the deal, and gets major $ for selling out.

if you are wondering what I'm talking about when it comes with 2 types of company owners, there are the following traits.

1) the greedy ones. they have an idea, create a company, and after it becomes a major pain in the neck for competitors, they sell out. selling out provides major cash to the owner, which is all he cares about.
2) the more moral ones. they also have an idea, and create a company. it becomes a major pain in the neck as well for competitors, but they decide to stick with it, becuase they think they can make the product better then the competitors can. rain or shine, they stick with the company, or at least, keep it alive.

I cannot remember exactly, but recently, didn't 3dfx management change (within a year or so ago?).
 

JohnGalt

Senior member
Jun 17, 2000
229
0
0
That 100 million from Nvidia is going to pay off debts, not finance some new startup. What a load of crap, wait a few days and anyone who actually believed this crap will feel like an_____

 

edblor

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2000
7,921
0
76
The entire &quot;sale&quot; does not complete until early 2002. So as far as starting a new company. It would have to be after that date.

And as far as &quot;stashing&quot; away milions. Non-diclosure of funds under either Chapter 11 (bankrupty filing) and/or a sale of assets and intelectual property would be a major felony under FTC, FCC and countless other laws in the USA.

And yes, I did read the entire thread! My honest opinion is that it is belony (to put it nicely)!!

As far as debts go, the sale to Nvidia includes all the major lawsuits between the two parties! As far as I know, 3Dfx's debt was not that great, they were not meeting targets and their stock was taking a thumping! Remember, they owned their plants and factories! They too, go to Nvidia!

Edblor and another 0.02
 

Wik

Platinum Member
Mar 20, 2000
2,284
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0
I beleive the plants or not part of the deal. In one article it said the technology and reamining stock of chips goes to Nvdia but the factorys and the boards stay with 3dfx.
 

Lore

Diamond Member
Oct 24, 1999
3,624
1
76
After this blows over, I wonder if we'll know who killed JFK. :) It's definitely an interesting possibility. On a somewhat related note, I went to Best Buy today and they still had about 15 Voodoo 5500s on the shelves, and an assorted variety of the other Voodoos.
 

Orbius

Golden Member
Oct 13, 1999
1,037
0
0
Forming another technology company in this economic environment is about as smart as trying to sell Speedo's in Alaska. Read: it's not going to happen in a million, trillion years.
 

Lore

Diamond Member
Oct 24, 1999
3,624
1
76
fivespeed5: No idea. They're selling for $199 - I was going to ask about a discount but I was too busy shopping for speaker wire.
 

fs5

Lifer
Jun 10, 2000
11,774
1
0
Lore: I just read over the bb memo again and it says all of the 3dfx inv will be sent back to brown stock? That that mean RTV?
 

StanTheMan

Senior member
Jun 16, 2000
510
0
0
even if they (3dfx) could seet up a new company, they will not have any technology to take over the market, esp. with nv20 around the corner. he he.. viva nvidia ;)
 

StanTheMan

Senior member
Jun 16, 2000
510
0
0
even if they (3dfx) could seet up a new company, they will not have any technology to take over the market, esp. with nv20 around the corner. he he.. viva nvidia ;)