[rje]

While I don't have any additional context on the above quote, it's worth noting that game industry 'middleware' vendors are very interested in the gpu performance of various devices. Engine providers (e.g. - Unity, Epic/UDK, etc) are often referred to as 'middleware providers' in their relationship to the console manufacturers[1].

And then you have game systems that I actually consider more 'middleware', like Speedtree, Bink, etc. Those systems also need to have in-depth understandings of the target environments to optimize their output as best they can.

1: http://unity3d.com/company/news/wii-press.html