That means, if you want a value added, performance graphics board in your product line-up, Mr. Graphics Board Vendor, then you have only one choice, Nvidia. Maybe, 3dfx and Nvidia can keep their respective positioning for some length of time, although both still have to react to the PC OEMs they both crave. That's good news too. Healthy competition in the thoroughbred class can only help the consumer. 3dfx has Glide, and even with Direct3D and OpenGL opening up a lead in terms of support over Glide, 3dfx still gets prime content.
Game developers are a conservative lot.
As long as Glide exists 3dfx has a means of keeping its distance from the crowd of Direct3D chips. Nvidia has Direct3D, and does a damn good job it. Pushes the envelope of mainstream 3D graphics. That's a good thing too. Not only does it help to set a standard that everyone can aspire to, and game developers can rely on, but it also erodes the value of Glide.