VIA Releases Powerful DOOM 3 Multiplayer Benchmarking Map and Demo

Taipei, Taiwan, 10 June 2005 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today released viavga_d3_bench, a compact DOOM 3 multiplayer map crammed with heavy geometric detail and striking lighting effects designed to test PC system performance to the full.

Built from the ground up to push today's high-end systems into breaking a sweat, the map was developed by renowned mapper Josh 'b0rg' Holmes, the editor of VIA's official games website VIA Gamers Arena, to offer a glimpse at what to expect from tomorrow's games using DOOM 3 technology, the world's most technically advanced PC gaming engine. The multiplayer demo recorded for benchmark testing is approximately twice as demanding as the default single player demo packaged with DOOM 3. The map is suitable for 2-4 player deathmatch games and demands an impressive system to run smoothly, such as one based on the latest VIA K8 or PT series core logic chipsets.

"I wanted to create an incredibly system-intensive multiplayer map to take DOOM 3 technology to the extreme and see what the powerful engine is really capable of," said Josh Holmes, editor of VIA Gamers Arena. "I'm pleased to have achieved this goal by incorporating as much eye candy as possible, while implementing all the optimization tricks I've learnt, to give an exceptional system benchmarking tool that will be a DOOM 3 engine performance yardstick for some time to come."

Incorporating original assets from DOOM 3, as well as several custom projection lights, the layout of viavga_d3_bench includes a combination of small and large areas constructed with the liberal use of brushes and curved patch meshes. Each area is heavily illuminated with numerous point and project lights. The map features various special effects including breakable glass and lights, reflective surfaces, exploding gas tanks and fuel drums, lifts, traps and a balanced scattering of weapons, ammo, armor and medkits.

viavga_d3_bench supports duel, free for all and team deathmatch modes of play. A default multiplayer demo can be downloaded and used for system benchmarking. Refer to the instructions included for information on how to run the demo.

For more information, gallery and download link for viavga_d3_bench map and benchmarking demo, please visit the VIA Gamers Arena website at:

http://www.viavga.com/default.aspx?PageID=20&AID=394

Other maps made by Josh Holmes can be found on VIA Gamers Arena at:

http://www.viavga.com/default.aspx?PageID=50&Resource=10

VIA Gamers Arena (VIAVGA) is the official games website of VIA Technologies, Inc. Focusing on the latest and greatest cutting edge PC games, the hardware that powers them and related events, VIAVGA aims to keep gamers informed with regularly updated news reports, detailed game reviews and previews, interviews, links directory and giveaways and competitions. www.viavga.com

VIA Technologies, Inc. (TSE 2388) is the foremost fabless supplier of market-leading core logic chipsets, low power x86 processors, advanced connectivity, multimedia, networking and storage silicon, and complete platform solutions that are driving system innovation in the PC and embedded markets. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA's global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world's top OEMs, motherboard vendors and system integrators. www.via.com.tw

International: Richard Brown

Phone: (886)-2-2218-5452 #6201

Fax: (886)-2-2218-5453

Email: RIBrown@via.com.tw

North America: Pat Meier-Johnson

Pat Meier Associates Public Relations

Phone: (415) 389-1700

Email: pjohnson@pma-news.com

Note to reporters, editors and writers: VIA is written in ALL CAPS.