Mobile gaming might soon receive an upgrade thanks to the Mali 1080p 3D gaming mobile GPUs from ARM. Offering its GPU as a System-On-Chip, ARM hopes to see mobile devices with Xbox 360-level video graphics by the end of 2009.

The Mali is available in a wide array of versions. Among them we find the Mali-400 MP, named by ARM the “highest-performance embedded multicore GPU IP on the market” or the Mali-55 that has the smallest GPU in the world. With 27 licensees among which we find Siemens, Samsung, Motorola or LG, various forms of the Mali are said to already be in shipping products.

Borgar Ljosland, director of advanced product marketing for ARM's Media Processing Division had this to say, “Gaming strategy and visually compelling applications are becoming increasingly important now that mobile hand held devices are so prolific, and the time has come to create innovative new gaming concepts [...] Thanks to the strength of Mali in the GPU space, we are well poised to lead the charge to this next level and fully expect the vast majority of tomorrow’s consumer devices will be based on Mali technology.”

With such powerful technology to back them up, we might soon see mobile phones that could rival notebooks or next-generation consoles. Imagine playing a game such as Tekken or Final Fantasy on your mobile. And if you think I'm exaggerating, think again, as ARM says it will demonstrate a cellphone port of the original Xbox title Project Gotham Racing by the end of the year.

“The focus on innovation and the future of the gaming industry at this year’s GDC fully aligns with our plan to shape the future of the graphics industry: a future that is underpinned by close partnerships with device manufacturers and software developers, enabling early access to the latest CPU and Mali GPU platforms to differentiate and lead in an increasingly competitive market.”

The glove has been thrown my friends, the dices rolled and the war between mobile manufacturers will soon begin.


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