# 3dfx Interactive > company headquartered in San Jose, California **Wikidata**: [Q229698](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229698) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3dfx) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/3dfx-interactive ## Summary 3dfx Interactive is a joint-stock company. As a joint-stock company, it operates with a specific legal structure. The company produces software[1] as part of its product offerings. Its products include software[1], which is a key part of its business. 3dfx Interactive's software[1] products are part of its overall portfolio. ## Summary 3dfx Interactive was a company headquartered in San Jose, California, that specialized in developing graphics processing units (GPUs) and related technologies, particularly known for its Voodoo series of graphics cards. Founded in 1994, the company played a pivotal role in the early development of 3D graphics acceleration for personal computers, contributing to the growth of the gaming and multimedia industries. ## Key Facts - **Headquarters**: San Jose, California, United States - **Inception**: 1994 - **Dissolution**: 2002 - **Founded by**: Gary Tarolli - **Parent organization**: Nvidia (acquired in 2000) - **Notable products**: Voodoo series GPUs (Voodoo 1, Voodoo 2, Voodoo 3, Voodoo 5) - **Software developed**: Glide API, a free software application programming interface for 3D computer graphics - **Industry**: Computer hardware industry - **Instance of**: Business, enterprise, and juridical person - **Aliases**: 3dfx - **Wikipedia title**: 3dfx - **Wikidata description**: Company headquartered in San Jose, California ## FAQs ### Q: What was 3dfx Interactive known for? A: 3dfx Interactive was known for developing the Voodoo series of graphics processing units (GPUs), which were among the first dedicated 3D graphics accelerators for personal computers. The company also created the Glide API, a free software interface for 3D computer graphics. ### Q: Who founded 3dfx Interactive? A: 3dfx Interactive was founded by Gary Tarolli, who served as a founding member and IT director of the company. ### Q: What happened to 3dfx Interactive? A: 3dfx Interactive was acquired by Nvidia in 2000 and dissolved in 2002. Nvidia integrated the technology and personnel from 3dfx into its own operations. ### Q: What was the Glide API? A: The Glide API was a free software application programming interface developed by 3dfx Interactive for 3D computer graphics. It was licensed under the GNU General Public License and designed to be cross-platform, operating on multiple computing platforms. ### Q: What were the Voodoo series GPUs? A: The Voodoo series GPUs were a line of graphics processing units developed by 3dfx Interactive. The series included models like Voodoo 1, Voodoo 2, Voodoo 3, and Voodoo 5, which were notable for their performance in 3D graphics acceleration and their role in the early gaming industry. ## Why It Matters 3dfx Interactive played a significant role in the early development of 3D graphics acceleration for personal computers. The company's Voodoo series GPUs were among the first dedicated 3D graphics accelerators, enabling more realistic and immersive visual experiences in games and multimedia applications. The Glide API, developed by 3dfx, provided a standardized interface for developers to utilize the company's hardware, fostering innovation in the 3D graphics field. Although 3dfx was acquired by Nvidia in 2000, its technologies and personnel contributed to Nvidia's continued leadership in the graphics processing unit market. The company's work laid the foundation for modern GPU technology and its widespread adoption in gaming, professional visualization, and scientific research. ## Notable For - **Pioneering 3D Graphics Acceleration**: 3dfx Interactive developed the Voodoo series GPUs, which were among the first dedicated 3D graphics accelerators for personal computers. - **Creation of the Glide API**: The company developed the Glide API, a free software interface for 3D computer graphics, which facilitated the use of its hardware and contributed to the evolution of 3D graphics programming. - **Early Contributions to Gaming**: The Voodoo GPUs played a crucial role in the early gaming industry, enabling more realistic and immersive visual experiences in games. - **Acquisition by Nvidia**: 3dfx Interactive was acquired by Nvidia in 2000, marking a significant milestone in the consolidation of the graphics hardware industry. - **Founding Member Gary Tarolli**: Gary Tarolli, a founding member of 3dfx Interactive, held the position of IT director and contributed to the company's early success. ## Body ### Overview 3dfx Interactive was a company headquartered in San Jose, California, that specialized in developing graphics processing units (GPUs) and related technologies. The company was founded in 1994 by Gary Tarolli and played a pivotal role in the early development of 3D graphics acceleration for personal computers. Known for its Voodoo series GPUs and the Glide API, 3dfx Interactive contributed significantly to the growth of the gaming and multimedia industries. ### History 3dfx Interactive was founded in 1994 by Gary Tarolli, who served as a founding member and IT director of the company. The company's headquarters was located in San Jose, California. In 2000, 3dfx Interactive was acquired by Nvidia, a leading technology company in the semiconductor industry. Following the acquisition, 3dfx Interactive was dissolved in 2002, with its technology and personnel integrated into Nvidia's operations. ### Products and Technologies 3dfx Interactive developed the Voodoo series GPUs, which were among the first dedicated 3D graphics accelerators for personal computers. The series included models like Voodoo 1, Voodoo 2, Voodoo 3, and Voodoo 5, which were notable for their performance in 3D graphics acceleration and their role in the early gaming industry. The company also created the Glide API, a free software application programming interface for 3D computer graphics. The Glide API was licensed under the GNU General Public License and designed to be cross-platform, operating on multiple computing platforms. ### Industry and Influence 3dfx Interactive operated within the computer hardware industry, specializing in the development of graphics processing units and related technologies. The company's work laid the foundation for modern GPU technology and its widespread adoption in gaming, professional visualization, and scientific research. The acquisition of 3dfx Interactive by Nvidia in 2000 marked a significant milestone in the consolidation of the graphics hardware industry, with Nvidia integrating the technology and personnel from 3dfx into its own operations. ### Related Entities 3dfx Interactive was affiliated with several key figures in the technology industry, including Gary Tarolli, who served as a founding member and IT director of the company. The company's technologies and personnel were integrated into Nvidia, a leading technology company in the semiconductor industry. Nvidia, founded in 1993, is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and is a public company traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol NVDA. ### Software and APIs The Glide API, developed by 3dfx Interactive, was a free software application programming interface for 3D computer graphics. The API was licensed under the GNU General Public License and designed to be cross-platform, operating on multiple computing platforms. The Glide API was associated with assembly language and the 3DFX Glide driver for both readable and writable file formats. ### Legacy and Impact 3dfx Interactive's contributions to the development of 3D graphics acceleration and the Glide API have had a lasting impact on the technology industry. The company's work laid the foundation for modern GPU technology and its widespread adoption in gaming, professional visualization, and scientific research. The acquisition of 3dfx Interactive by Nvidia in 2000 marked a significant milestone in the consolidation of the graphics hardware industry, with Nvidia integrating the technology and personnel from 3dfx into its own operations. ## References 1. [Source](http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102746834) 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. National Software Reference Library 4. Quora 5. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/3dfx_Interactive-8XZK4)