Wei Yen
Wei Yen | |
|---|---|
顏維群 | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | Purdue University |
| Occupation(s) | Technologist and Entrepreneur |
Wei Yen (Chinese: 顏維群; pinyin: Yán Wéiqún)[1] is a Taiwanese-American technologist and entrepreneur known for his contributions to computer graphics and consumer electronics. He has founded or led several technology companies, including ArtX, iQue, and AiLive, and has held executive or board positions at major firms such as Silicon Graphics, ATI Technologies, and Acer Inc. Over the course of his career, Yen played a central role in the development of hardware and software components for several Nintendo platforms, including the Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, and associated online services.
Yen earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Purdue University, with a focus on operating systems and artificial intelligence. Early in his career, he co-authored a paper on cache coherence in multiprocessor systems with his brother, David Yen, and their advisor, King-sun Fu.
Career
[edit]Yen began his career at Cydrome as director of software engineering, working alongside his brother David Yen, who was director of hardware engineering. The pair were instrumental in developing the Cydra-5, a mini-supercomputer featuring a VLIW ECL-based processor and a multiprocessor bus architecture supported by their cache coherence protocol.[2]
From 1988 to 1996, Yen served as senior vice president at Silicon Graphics (SGI), where he oversaw the development of OpenGL and was also president of SGI’s subsidiary, MIPS Technologies. During his tenure, he contributed to the creation of "Project Reality", which became the Nintendo 64, where he was credited with primary responsibility for designing the critical graphics processing system.[3][4]
In 1996, Yen founded TVsoft, later renamed Navio, which developed interactive television software. Navio merged with Oracle's Network Computer division and subsequently went public in 1999 as Liberate Technologies.[5] At its peak, Liberate Technologies was valued at $12 billion.[6]
In the late 1990s, Yen founded ArtX, a semiconductor firm staffed by former SGI engineers. The company developed the "Flipper" graphics chip for Nintendo's GameCube.[7] In 2000, ATI Technologies acquired ArtX for approximately $400 million,[8] and Yen later joined ATI’s board.[6][9]
In 2000, Yen co-founded AiLive, which developed tools for Nintendo's Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus.[6]
In 2002, Yen co-founded iQue, a joint venture with Nintendo to distribute the company's video game products in mainland China.[10]
Yen later founded BroadOn, which was renamed iGware, a cloud computing firm that provided services to Nintendo for the Nintendo DS, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U. In 2011, Acer acquired iGware for $320 million,[11] and the company was renamed Acer Cloud Technology. Yen remained at the helm following the acquisition.[12] As a result of the deal, Yen became Acer's second-largest shareholder, after founder Stan Shih.[13]
Yen has served on the boards of several technology companies, including ATI, Acer, MoSys, and others.[14][15]
References
[edit]- ^ "关于iQue" [About iQue] (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ Yen, Wei C.; Yen, David W. L.; Fu, King-Sun (31 January 1985). "Data Coherence Problem in a Multicache System". IEEE Transactions on Computers. C-34 (1): 56–65. doi:10.1109/TC.1985.1676515. ISSN 0018-9340.
- ^ "Nintendo Press Conference Transcript". IGN. 13 May 1999. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ H, Marshall (6 May 2018). "iQue technical information". retroactive.be. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "LIBERATE TECHNOLOGIES (LBRT) IPO". NASDAQ. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ a b c Brandon Sheffield (20 November 2006). "Learning New Moves: AiLive's Wei Yen Teaches Wii New Tricks". Gamasutra. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
- ^ Markoff, John (12 May 1999). "I.B.M. to Make Game Part For Nintendo". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "ATI acquires ArtX in graphics merger". EE Times. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "The startup that saved ATI". EE Times. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Nintendo to Enter China's Video-Game Market With a New Console". Bloomberg News. 25 September 2003. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^ "Acer buys iGware, makes a $320 million bet on the cloud". Engadget. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Acer buys US iGware cloud computing firm". WantChinaTimes. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ^ "Acer Incorporated 2012 Annual Report" (PDF). May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^ "Dr. Wei Yen to Join MoSys Board of Directors". 4 September 2000. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^ "Graphics chip maker ATI buys ArtX for $400M". CNN Money. Retrieved 16 April 2016.