Nintendo deal with texture compression firm

Nintendo has renewed a licence agreement with graphics chipset firm S3 Graphics, allowing the Kyoto-headquartered giant to use new S3 Texture Compression (S3TC) technology.

S3 Graphics’ new texture compression technologies can achieve up to six-fold compression the group states, making the tool particularly useful for software written onto cartridges.

The partnership between Nintendo and S3 Graphics dates back to the N64 era, where such compression tech was used in the console’s cartridges.

It is believed, though not confirmed, that the new S3TC tech will be used for Nintendo’s range of handheld systems.

The company is set to unveil its new handheld, the 3DS, at E3 in June.

“This agreement furthers our dedication to providing our game developers with leading compression technology to enable them to deliver the best possible gaming experience," said Genyo Takeda, general manager at Nintendo’s Integrated Research and Development Division.

“We look forward to continuing our licensing arrangement with S3 Graphics."