Intel CEO sees "less need for discrete graphic' and we're now really worried about its upcoming Battlemage Gaming GPU and the rest Intel's graphics road map

Are Intel's Arc gaming graphics on the chopping block? After comments by Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, we are now fearful. Gelsinger believes that "there will be less demand for discrete graphics on the market in the future". Yikes.

In an interview with Wallstreet's usual suspects last week, Gelsinger stated that Intel's graphics focus will be increasingly on what he called "large integrated graphics capability". Other words, graphics integrated into CPUs and not gaming graphics cards.

This is not good news for Intel's Arc gaming GPU roadmaps. These include the Battlemage successor to Intel's first generation Arc GPUs codenamed Alchemist with the Celestial, Druid and Druid Generations to follow.

You could argue that "less" does not mean "no". These comments are ominous in light of Intel's struggles and the brutal cost-cutting exercise Gelsinger has been engaged in, including massive staff layoffs. It's hard to believe that Intel is still committed to the multi-generational discrete GPU roadmap.

Intel's commitment towards Arc has been in doubt for some time. It's also possible that Intel has lost faith in Arc much more recently.

These "large" integrated graphics cards could also be interesting on their own. It would be interesting to have an integrated GPU that performs on par with a mid-range discrete graphics card. It's possible that Intel's Lunar Lake already has a "large" iGPU, so Gelsigner's idea isn't all that interesting.

Our best guess is still that we will see Battlemage gaming graphics cards in the early part of the new year. Most likely, most of the money required to bring Battlemage onto the market has already been spent. Intel may even have GPUs ready-made and ready to be put into cards.

What happens next? There's a chance Celestial can be saved if Battlemage is a big hit among gamers. But it doesn't look good, does it?

This is how you should look at it. Intel's Arc GPUs had a very small impact on the market. Intel's CEO now sees "less demand" for a product that has been a near-total failure and in which Intel barely operates.

A genuine effort to achieve a significant market share would also require a multi-general expenditure. Even if Battlemage was a great game, it's unlikely to sell in large numbers. It will probably take several generations of GPUs that are compelling to gain the attention of gamers. Intel's CEO seems to be pessimistic, so will it invest in this technology?

There's a fascinating historical twist that is worth remembering. Gelsinger is not without personal baggage in regards to Intel's failures with discrete graphics cards. Gelsigner was the father of the stillborn Intel Larabee, an earlier attempt at a discrete graphics card.

Gelsinger said that last year, when speaking of Larrabee, "we killed the man who would have made a world of difference." Gelsinger is said to have left Intel at that time because he wanted Larrabee to succeed but couldn't get the support he needed from within.

In this context, one might think Gelsinger would be eager to correct the wrongs committed by Larrabee. If he's serious, then why would he make such a negative statement about the prospects of discrete graphics cards? It's hard to see the future of Intel Arc graphics in a positive light. They don't feel like they have much time left in this world.

I'm wondering if it's time for PC gamers crowdfund an Intel purchase and get Arc Graphics back on track. It might be possible, especially with Intel's share price in freefall. What do you think peeps? Are you with me, peeps?