Although my project idea is indeed an ambitious concept, its scale and scope pale in comparison to the technology advances that allowed the conception of the game in first place. One such revolutionary technology is that of the Modern Graphics Processor. 

      In the current day and age, people tend to be unaware of the importance of the Graphics Processor, due to a very simple fact: they have been seamlessly incorporated into modern electronic devices. If you use laptops, smartphones or PCs on a daily basis, you will come to the realisation that one of the most integral parts of the system is the screen. Simply put, no matter how powerful your hardware might be, without any visual feedback, it is practically unusable. In order for data to be taken from the CPU and outputted to a display device, a Graphics Processing Unit – GPU – is required

GPU illustriation

      Their development bloomed in the 1970s, and primarily, they were used for Arcade system boards – in order words, video games constituted to the creation of the GPUs. 50 years later, in 2020, gaming is still the focus and the driving force of the Graphics cards evolution, pushing the boundaries of graphics fidelity. Half a century ago, the epitome of computer graphics were just dots and simple sprites, but today, real-time rendering of lifelike character models and indistinguishably detailed environments are nothing out of the ordinary. Ray Tracing, a commonly used technique in blockbuster animations to realistically display lighting and shading used to drive up the rendering time for a single frame to several days, can now be rendered in real-time in 4K resolution

Game graphics in the 1970s (Pong)

Game graphics in 2020 (Cyberpunk 2077)

Graphics processing technology can also be applied in other, non-graphical use cases. For example, using the parallel computational capability of GPUs, we can run complex calculations and algorithms in the discipline of Computational Science, developing models to enable humans to better understand natural systems. Similarly, in the field of Machine Learning, GPUs are utilised to speed up the training process of Deep Learning models. 

NVIDIA DGX A100 AI system packing 8 A100 GPUs 

Even more surprisingly, GPUs can be used to simulate molecular structures and protein folding, aiding the effort to cure and find vaccines for infectious viral diseases, including COVID-19 ^[1]. In summation, graphics processing technology has evolved far beyond the initial intended purpose, influencing numerous sectors of Information Technology as well as other fields and disciplines.

     However, as with any other aspects of technology, GPUs are still undergoing further innovations and improvements. In the following years, I reckon a greater extent of transistor size reduction will lead to higher transistor density on the same processor die area, increasing processing power and memory bandwidth while enabling manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD to lower their product pricing. ^[2] This will grant future generations a boon of more accessible and powerful processing resources, empowering them to learn and experiment with aspects of Information Technology with much less difficulty. An immediate impact would be seen in the Video Game industry. Next-gen games with even higher graphic quality and clarity will be produced, blurring the line between what is conceived as virtual and real. 

Next-gen Realtime Graphics
(Yes, this is not a photograph)

     The size reduction of transistors will open more opportunities in the field of Internet of Things, as it would allow the manufacture of micro-scale GPUs for single-board computers and microcontrollers like the Raspberry Pi and Arduino line-up. These micro-GPUs can help expand the processing capability of these devices, improving on use cases such as smart home appliances and automated surveillance systems. Major effects will also be felt on the field of Artificial Intelligence. With advances in image processing speed and efficiency, more exciting breakthroughs will be discovered in Computer Vision technologies such as Object Detection and Distance Estimation, giving rise to a more intelligent generation of self-driving vehicles and automated machineries. As previously discussed, GPUs are also used in Deep Learning and neural networks, therefore further processing enhancement will in turn lead to more impressive technology, such as real-time image reconstruction, AI-generated novels and songs, and maybe in the far future, fully functional and cognitive androids.

     The enhancement of modern graphics processors will also facilitate progress in other scientific fields. In particular, in the field of Astronautics, the improvement in GPUs power could boost the performance in the aspect of simulating physics, allowing more advanced scientific simulations like space-flight trajectory to be carried out, supporting research in space exploration and colonisation. On a more personal scale, I believe better graphics cards will allow me to better pursue my education and career in the field of Information Technology. More graphical power would also aid me in actualising my project idea, An Nam, by facilitating faster model rendering time and better framerates when playtesting. 

Autonomous vehicles are powered by GPUs [3]

     While the upsides of Modern Graphics Processor evolution and the by-proxy benefits seem to be uncountable, on the side of societal effects, employment and careers might be negatively affected. For example, graphics designers might run out of business when graphics processing technology coupled with machine learning could create beautiful artworks by themselves. 

     Computer Vision or any Graphically-related AI technologies might make redundant careers in logistics (such as drivers) or manufacturing (assembly and factory workers). This might in turn begin a chain reaction in laying off human workers in other areas for more efficient and cost effective technology solutions.

NVIDIA GauGAN: AI-powered artwork maker

     While the aforementioned impacts of the development of Modern Graphics Processor might seem overly farfetched, affecting such a wide range of scientific and societal sectors, it is the characteristic of technology: everything is interconnected. As graphics processors are becoming more of a general-purpose processor, it is gradually becoming the processing cornerstone of all fields in Information Technology, making it an important technology that should be better focused and taught.

References

[1] “COVID-19,” Folding@home, 25-Oct-2020. [Online]. Available: https://foldingathome.org/diseases/infectious-diseases/covid-19/. [Accessed: 20-Dec-2020].
[2] M. Owen, “Honey I Shrunk the Chips: How die shrinks help make processors more powerful,” AppleInsider, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/05/27/honey-i-shrunk-the-chips-how-die-shrinks-help-make-processors-more-powerful-by-making-things-smaller. [Accessed: 20-Dec-2020].
[3] S. Deshmukh, “How GPUs are powering autonomous vehicles and supercharging healthcare: Articles: Big Data,” Articles | Big Data | Innovation Enterprise, 17-Apr-2019. [Online]. Available: https://channels.theinnovationenterprise.com/articles/the-expedition-of-graphics-processing-units-gpus-how-is-this-underlying-element-playing-a-part-in-enhancing-autonomous-vehicle-technology-and-clinical-outcomes-in-the-healthcare-sector. [Accessed: 20-Dec-2020].