ATI Supports GLSetup for OpenGL Games

OpenGL used to be strictly in the realm of CAD and 3D design apps, but ever since Quake opted to take advantage of it (or aspects of it), its been steadily moving into the mainstream of games. It also used to be that OpenGL support was something you only saw in $1,000 high-end graphics cards. However, that seems poised to change. ATI just announced that it is supporting (financially as well as spirtually) GLSetup, an initiative to ease distribution of OpenGL drivers to end users. GLSetup is supposed to ensure that no matter which operating system you run or which graphics card you're using, you can get OpenGL support. The GLSetup website doesn't really look complete, but the app must only give you the parts of the OpenGL API that let you view certain images in games. Otherwise, you'd need an OpenGL card, right? (Honestly don't mind being educated on this if I'm wrong, so fire away.) ATI says that GLSetup has been downloaded by millions of users and has shipped with games like Quake 3: Arena, Serious Sam, Baldur's Gate 2, Tribes 2, Alice, Descent 3, Homeworld, Soldier of Fortune, and others. Software developers can add the GLSetup installer to a game free of charge. It will automatically detect a user's 3D graphics card and install the appropriate OpenGL and Direct3D drivers. Users can also download and run the GLSetup installer directly from the GLSetup website. ATI says the funds it contributed will help speed the progress of projects like expanded feature sets and development of GLSetup for Mac and Linux users.