SE: Seems like you got on one of the last 3dfx life boats (after all the women and children left over the past two years that is) and headed for greener pastures. Have you settled in ok at NVIDIA? What is the biggest difference working for NVIDIA vs. 3dfx. List some pros and cons for both and don't be diplomatic...

Brian Burke: Well, the pros far out way the cons. My transition has been really easy. Before 3dfx purchased STB (3dfx purchases STB, then Gigapixel, then sells assets to Nvidia...confused?) I was with STB for three years. STB was one of the largest customers for NVIDIA, starting with the RIVA128 and up to the TNT2. As a result, I have known a lot of my NVIDIA coworkers for years. I have been friends with Derek for a long time, even during the bitter "knife-fight" years ;). When you start at some companies, you can usually tell the good workers from the bad workers pretty quickly. At NVIDIA, everybody in the building is awesome at his or her job.

Pros

• Working from my house
• Everyone does their job, and expects you to do yours
• No weak links in the chain
• Awesome technology to represent
• Great people to work with
• More communication, less spin
• Knowing enough to cancel the Playstation2 I preordered and never got

Cons

• Missing out on the killer stock option price
• I have to supply my own snacks
• Lack of downtime waiting on new products to ship has an adverse effect on my Unreal tournament skills

SE: Was it a tough choice leaving 3dfx for NVIDIA? Why not head out to Canada and work for ATI for example?

Brian Burke: I was really committed to 3dfx while I was there. I worked hard for them and left with my head held high. But anyone who read their earnings report could tell that something had to change. I needed to find stability for my future. Derek offered me the chance to stay in Dallas, reunite with some great collogues and work for the hottest company in my chosen field. It was a no brainer.