Graphics chip maker NVIDIA announced Monday that Electronic Arts and 2K Games will use its PhysX technology to add realism to their videogames. PhysX makes its EA debut in a personal computer version of "Mirror's Edge," an innovative action game in which an unsanctioned courier has to outrun armed troops under the command of an oppressive government.

"Mirror's Edge" was released in November for play on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles. The game is being released in January for PCs.

A preview of the PC version of "Mirror's Edge" shows improved image processing in which shattering windows spray glass shards, banners flutter, fabric tears and bullets hit walls realistically.

PhysX technology takes advantage of NVIDIA chips that combine graphics and computer processing to make scenes 10 to 20 times more visually complex than possible on single purpose processors.

PhysX technology works in the three competing gaming consoles -- Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Xbox 360.

For PhysX to work on PCs the machines need chips such as NVIDIA's GeForce that enable "parallel computing," the breaking down of large tasks into small pieces for simultaneous processing.