Brent over at the [H] takes the physics-in-gaming issue directly to the source to get some detailed answers. He puts similar questions to reps from all four major players: ATi, nVidia, Havok, & AGEIA. The picture painted is a recurring theme: physics in gaming is just getting started.

"There are big definitional differences between effects physics and gameplay physics as you might have expected, but much of the forum banter you have seen people prop up as fact, is just simply bad information at best, and lies at worst."