DirectX 11

[Pwnzilla]

DirectX is a set of APIs used for multimedia on Microsoft platform and is most extensively used for game programming on Windows and Xbox platforms. DirectX 11, which will be based on DirectX 10, is the next generation of DirectX that is to be released with Windows 7, the same way version 10 was with Vista. Microsoft has not yet revealed whether or not version 11 will be exclusive to Windows 7, like version 10 is exclusive to Vista, but we do know that since version 11 is based on DirectX 10, Windows 7 will be backwards compatible with DirectX 10 graphics cards.

Very little is known about DirectX 11, but that should change soon as Microsoft will begin dishing the dirt in less than two weeks: the official announcement of the upcoming version of DirectX will take place at Gamefest 2008. Registration for the July 22-23 Seattle conference is still open.

It is not clear at what stage of development DirectX 11 is at right now, so there is no telling whether Microsoft will simply confirm the existence of the upcoming version, or whether the company will actually demonstrate something.

At Nvidia's NVISION 08 conference in late August, Kev Gee will be showing off DirectX 11. The session is described as follows: "Kev will introduce the new DirectX 11 rendering pipeline currently under development at Microsoft. The technology builds on the existing DirectX 10 API set and adds new features including tessellation, multithreaded rendering, compute shaders, Shader Model 5, and more. Get up to speed fast with the next generation of rendering technology."

Microsoft has done well keeping the DirectX 11 lid on tight to prevent leakage, and this is not surprising if you remember Microsoft's stance on keeping Windows 7 hush-hush. Somehow I doubt the lack of leaks will be lasting much longer.

[Pedro]

Pretty smart to keep adding a new DX on new windows, kinda forces gamers to buy them.

Hope they add a "good" offer to upgrade from Vista, to hell If paying more than $100 for a new OS in less than 3 years.

[Draven]

When (approximately) is Windows 7 supposed to come out?

[Pwnzilla]

Windows 7 release date is being advertised as early 2010. Using Warhammer Online as a classic example though, that date is certainly subject to alteration as circumstances require.

I will be somewhat (more so than usual) irritated with Micro$oft if they do not allow Vista to run DirectX 11. The reason most corporate/business organizations have declined to step up to Vista is that XP works just fine for them and they have no real requirement to move to Vista.

The only "real" feature that Vista delivered was DirectX 10 and as such the only users that are forced to adopt Vista is the gaming community. DirectX 10 was the only thing that pushed me to go Vista with my last build as I wanted to ensure compatibility with future game releases utilizing the API. Of course by 2010 I will be due for a new system build anyway, but it will irk me if my current system will be completely obsolete for games developed under the new API if they choose to only support DirectX 11 on Windows 7.

[salsa verde]

it is rumored windows 7 could come out sooner then that. an alpha version i believe is up and running. ive seen it or thought to be on youtube. yes i know not exactly reliable source but a video of it none the less. well then i wonder why nvidia isent jumping on direct x 10.1. while ati has already. maybe nvidia knows something we dont and is currently working on direct x 11.0 capable cards?


windows vista i think was a bomb for microsoft so i wouldnt doubt they bump up release for windows 7. im sure they want to get it right this time.

[Pwnzilla]

Originally Posted by salsa verde

well then i wonder why nvidia isent jumping on direct x 10.1. while ati has already. maybe nvidia knows something we dont and is currently working on direct x 11.0 capable cards?

According to Fudzilla...

The eternal question whether Nvidia will go for DirectX 10.1 with its next generation of chips is answered. It won’t and it never will. Nvidia will skip ATI’s DirectX 10.1 and plans to move to DirectX 11.

DirectX 11 is scheduled for next year and this is the one that Nvidia wants to focus on. Nvidia has TWIMTBP and this gives them lot of close friendships with developers and publishers and most of them won’t ever touch DirectX 10.1 simply as Nvidia doesn’t supports it.

55nm Geforce GTX 280 is certainly DirectX 10 only while the real next generation will go for DirectX 11. This chapter is finally closed but we are sure that this won’t be enough to stop all the rumours.

Naturally next generation ATI, lets call it R8x0 will also support DirectX 11 as this is the way to go in 2009, pre Windows 7 times.

[Pedro]

So ATI will dominate the vid card market for a year or so, because of there's something we all learned from DX10 is that it's bugged to hell as M$ doesn't communicate entirely with Vid card manufacturers and DX11 won't be fully working till about half a year or more after release.

[Pwnzilla]

I have read a couple of articles that stated that Vista will support DirectX 11. I have not found an official word from Micro$oft as yet.

I would tend to think it will (unless Micro$oft deliberately refuses to allow it) as they have already stated that DirectX 11 builds off of DirectX10. They have also stated that Windows 7 builds off of Vista. So, Q.E.D. Vista "should" support DX11.

[FluffyBunni]

I have to say, tacking on a new DX to windows won't really be a selling point for me this time. Vista was toted so strongly with DX10, and look, we have how many games that fully support it? 2? Games, need to get on the DX10 boat first before we jump to the DX11 one.

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by Pwnzilla

I have read a couple of articles that stated that Vista will support DirectX 11. I have not found an official word from Micro$oft as yet.

I would tend to think it will (unless Micro$oft deliberately refuses to allow it) as they have already stated that DirectX 11 builds off of DirectX10. They have also stated that Windows 7 builds off of Vista. So, Q.E.D. Vista "should" support DX11.

They'll probably advertise DX11 for Vista with a SP that they'll smartly won't release till a year or two after Win7 has released to force gamers to switch.

Originally Posted by FluffyBunni

I have to say, tacking on a new DX to windows won't really be a selling point for me this time. Vista was toted so strongly with DX10, and look, we have how many games that fully support it? 2? Games, need to get on the DX10 boat first before we jump to the DX11 one.

True, but after so many years, game devs were not ready for the change, now they do, and with the DX11 being announced, they are most likely skipping DX10 games and planning for DX11.