UPDATE: Adding information regarding product packaging.

XFX, a division of Pine Technologies that sells graphics cards, has announced its partnership with Johnathan Wendel better known as Fatal1ty, who is one of the top computer gamers in the world. Under the terms of the agreement, XFX will produce Fatal1ty branded graphics cards inspired by the gamer.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for XFX and Fatal1ty to showcase their respective talents. XFX is a worldwide leader in the manufacture of nVIDIA-based graphics cards and Fatal1ty is the recognized leader in competitive PC gaming. Getting in-depth input from the world’s premier professional gamer allows XFX to truly make graphics cards for gamers by gamers,” explains Eddie Memon, vice president of XFX.

Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel  will collaborate with XFX on the design and technical specifications of a series of graphics cards with a special focus on the needs of competitive PC video gamers. The products will be designed for maximum performance and stability during LAN parties. Collaborative efforts between XFX and Fatal1ty will begin in mid-2006. Products designed under this partnership will be co-branded XFX and Fatal1ty.

The company will ship its Fatal1ty graphics cards in plastic boxes which undergo crash tests before shipping. While there is hardly any significant use use such boxes, they give customers a feel of luxurious hardware and excellent impression about the product. Moreover, such a box can be easily distinguished in computer stores.

Several other companies, including Abit, Creative Labs and Zalman, already produce hardware components with Fatal1ty label. Those components are usually tailored for gamers, who require to have maximum stability during multi-hours LAN party sessions.

XFX produces graphics cards based on Nvidia GeForce graphics processing units. The company already has a very broad lineup of products and a special family dubbed XXX with increased clock-speeds.