First, let's talk about the MAXX's launch date.

Scheduled in December, we've been told that the early to middle part of the month is the current target ATi is internally shooting for. They aren't positive exactly how many MAXX cards will be available at that time, but they are gearing up for as large a launch as possible.

Second, and probably most important to readers, are the details concerning the MAXX's price tag.

Last month we disclosed that the MAXX card would likely be offered at $299 at the time of its launch. This week we've learned however that ATi is planning on offering the MAXX at $270 or even lower.

While they're being somewhat vague about their pricing policy at this time, but we feel confident in saying that ATi is closely watching the prices of SDR GeForce256 cards and is likely seeking to match them. Creative lowered the price of their 3D Annihilator GeForce256 card to $249 this week and we believe that's the new price target for the Rage Fury MAXX. If Creative or Guillemot go even lower by December, then you can expect ATi to attempt to match the new pricing.

Finally, let's talk about the MAXX's software bundle.

While good bundles can serve to illustrate the potential power a new video accelerator has (as is the case in most GeForce256 bundles since on-the-shelf D3D games don't contain any Transformation and Lighting support at this time) a bad bundle winds up being a waste of margin for the card's manufacturer.

There are some high-line titles that have been hinted to be a part of the MAXX bundle including Unreal Tournament or Quake3: Arena, since both are expected to arrive on the market within the next four weeks. But our latest sources indicate that ATi will likely not bundle a complete game with the MAXX at all, preferring to pass on the savings to the consumer. Bundles typically cost the video card manufacturer anywhere from $1 to $7 per disc to include with their product (though UT and Q3:A are probably not "typical" titles), and ATi is cautious that forcing the MAXX's buyer to pay for a title that they might already own, or don't want, is wasteful.

We suspect that the MAXX will include some sort of game related demo disc, which contains virtually no cost for either ATi or the consumer and thereby allows prices to remain lower. This is pure speculation based on what we know at this point, readers are warned that it's subject to the final decision by ATi.