This interesting article from the Yorkshire Post quotes some computer scientists who claim that silicon chipsets have reached their limits and are currently holding game developers back from creating truly incredible virtual worlds.

According to the article, an international team is working on a project to develop to create a new breed of chips. The project is a $1.7 million collaboration between Glasgow University and the US Semiconductor Research Corporation.

From the article: Lead researcher Professor Iain Thayne said: "A lot of computer games still feel very unrealistic and flat. What gamers want is to develop games that make you feel as though you are part of the synthesised world.

"It is the silicon chips installed in games consoles which are holding this development back and so by increasing the power of chips a whole new generation of computer games can be launched."

I've kind of seen this coming for some time. I mean, while graphics have been getting better and better it seems like processors, which it appears they are talking about (though I could be wrong) haven't really advanced much in the past couple of years.

I'm not sure exactly what kinds of "synthesized" worlds they're talking about, but it could be interesting to watch the results of this research. Supposedly the new technology could be available in three years.

Source: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Super-chips-to-boost-computer.3619863.jp

Nothing bad can come out of this.

First off, $1.7 million isn't a lot of cash. And second off, chipsets aren't holding game developers back. Game developers are holding game developers back. I'm sorry, but I don't think the lack of "synthesized worlds" is an issue of game publishers and developers not having the creative and financial putout to make those kind of games. Rich worlds can be created without doing much in the way of chipset advancements. That comes strictly down to the developer's creative and technical abilities.

Oh, and lastly, what the hell are they talking about? Have they been living under a rock? What the hell is the Cell processor? It's one of the most advanced chipsets ever built for consumer products.