Autodesk just announced that it was acquiring Softimage, a 3D modeling and rendering software. The thing is: Autodesk also owns the two other major 3D software package out there: Maya and 3D Studio Max. Many people in the graphics industry are thinking: "isn't that a monopoly?". Technically, may be not, there are other 3D packages out there that are largely less relevant, but for the computer graphics industry, I think that this effectively creates a monopoly. Will the progress in 3D content creation slow down due to the lack of competition?

For those not familiar with these products, the Metal Gear Solid franchise was created with Softimage, Gran Turismo was largely built with Maya and Prince of Persia was done on 3D Studio Max.

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