DX10 screenshot
No, this isn't a DirectX 11 screenshot. This is what Microsoft promised us with DirectX 10. No wonder we're sceptical of the new version...

DirectX 11 announced: too much too soon?

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Bennett Ring25 July 2008, 6:00 AM

Considering that the vast majority of users still run DirectX 9, is Microsoft making a Vista-sized mistake with its latest multimedia API?


There’s no stopping the march of technology, even when folks don’t actually want or need advancements, and Microsoft’s DirectX API is a great example. Even though Valve’s recent hardware survey showed that a paltry 9.66% of gamers have a DX10 compatible PC (both Vista and a DX10 compatible graphics card is necessary to make it into this elite club), Microsoft this week officially announced DirectX 11.

At this week’s Gamefest 2008 game technology conference in Seattle, Microsoft first reassured existing DX10 and DX10.1 users that their thousand dollar video cards aren’t about to become dangerous Frisbees. The new version of DirectX is totally compatible with these ancient APIs, unlike the split between DX9 and DX10. While that’s great news for existing DX10 card owners, it’s not so good if you don’t want to upgrade to Vista. There was no mention of Windows XP support, but it’s safe to assume that we’ll probably see an end to global warming before that happens, especially considering DX11 is built on DX10 technology.

Despite the fact that we’re still yet to see significant visual or performance improvements from today’s DX10, Microsoft announced that one of the major features of the API will lead to an “incredible step in the evolution of graphics”. This feature is tessellation, yet it’s not exactly new. ATI has been working with the technique for years, but because it wasn’t a standard part of DirectX, there has been little support for it from game developers.

The second major feature discussed at the event was DX11’s Compute Shader. Neatly stepping past the gobbledegook, this feature is meant to “enable faster and simpler implementations of techniques already in use, such as imaging and post-processing effects”. To us it sounds eerily similar to the performance improvements promised by DX10, which have yet to live up to their bold claims. Other features that were briefly covered include improved multi-core support, as well as using the GPU as a processor for tasks other than just graphics.

No release date for the API was announced, but given the fact that it will likely demand Vista support, we’ve got grave concerns for its adoption by the gaming community. Then again, if this version of DirectX can deliver the kinds of visuals that DX10 promised, it could be a very potent reason for Windows XP owners to upgrade their OS.

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Me In Oz (Cornerstone member):

Why is it when MS relesases something new, it is a mistake ?
Come on APC, these headlines are just sensationalist to drag more comment onto this dying new forum of yours.
I, as a gamer, welcome any new technology associated with this field.
Statements like .... "There’s no stopping the march of technology, even when folks don’t actually want or need advancements," ..... would have held back development of such things as EVERYTHING technological !
Give credit where credit is due, or at the least that they are constantly looking for new ways to do things better.
As I remember it, people said text based games were great in the early 90's ..... I for one would not like to revisit those days again !
I am glad it is backward compatible with my new Graphics card though :)

25 July 2008, 8:12 AM (5 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

AndyCee (Cornerstone member):

In fairness, APC don't always bash new MS - see the last MS article[http://apcmag.com/microsoft_live_mesh_sync_files_between_PCs.htm]

I'm interested in DirectX news as i used to be a gamer (no time now - too much apc/zdnet posting to do) and I'm keeping an eye on technology that may enable upcoming blizzard games to run on my wife's aging laptop. I think it currently runs D9. What does yours?

25 July 2008, 8:38 AM (5 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

agami (User):

I think they're just call it as they see it. It's not just APC, top tech journalists with many worldwide outlets have been just as critical. It's true, MS are just as capable of producing good products, though the recent trend suggest a loosing streak. Another trend is that PC gaming is dwindling as a direct result of increased console gaming popularity. At the recent E3 the MS event didn't even have a Games for Windows segment.

There are many ways to save gaming on the PC, taking what is essentially DX 10.2 and labeling it 11 is not going to do the trick. Microsoft themselves have had some really cool ideas in the past, my favourite one is having the PC go into console mode when playing a game. Not an easy thing to accomplish but I think it'd be worthwhile.

25 July 2008, 9:44 AM (5 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Me In Oz (Cornerstone member):

Quoting agami:
Another trend is that PC gaming is dwindling as a direct result of increased console gaming popularity.

This API is relevant not just to PC gaming, let's not forget what games are written and tested on.

Quoting agami:
my favourite one is having the PC go into console mode when playing a game.

I'm with you on this one, as a native option not just as an emulator (which are availible now for all the consoles).

Personally, I don't think it will happen because of the staggering rate at which PC hardware is evolving. Just look at how many new graphics cards appera every 3 months or so ! PC hardware and gaming thrive off each other and it seems like they are trying to outdo each other !


25 July 2008, 10:02 AM (5 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

FostWare (Regular user):

I hope that DX11 integrates the nVidia, AMD/ATI, Cell, and Intel 3D physics processing engines. Physx is almost dead because no-one licensed it or thought it useful enough and AMD and Intel haven't really pushed their platforms hard either.

By creating a standard that would allow these devices to "just work", we may find PPU become more mainstream than they are now. Look what it did for 3D sound - before now, the only 3D audio was Creative and their acquisition targets (Aureal) so it was gimicky more than anything.

I'm still dark at Creative for sinking Aureal. Technically superior, financially vulnerable :(

25 July 2008, 9:48 AM (5 months ago)