Microsoft’s latest DirectX API will be exclusive to Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Update: According to a statement received by GameSpot, Huddy “misspoke” regarding DirectX 12 support for Windows 7.
“There have been reports based on a video of Richard Huddy of AMD making speculative comments around DirectX 12 support on versions of Windows,” AMD said in the statement. “Richard Huddy does not speak for Microsoft, and he was unfortunately speculating from Microsoft’s publication of key dates and milestones for Windows 7 lifecycle and mainstream support policy. Richard has no special insight into Microsoft’s Windows or DirectX roadmaps. Microsoft is a key, strategic partner for AMD and we’re continuously collaborating with them on DirectX 12.”
So, even though it’s just speculation, we probably won’t be too surprised if this one turns out to be true, given Microsoft’s history.
Source: GameSpot
Original Story: DirectX 12, the latest version of Microsoft’s application programming interfaces (API) promises to significantly increase the performance of games on the platform, thanks to features such as better multithreading support, and reduced CPU overhead. Unfortunately, for those PC gamers who are still sticking by good ol’ Windows 7, I’m afraid Microsoft has decided to leave you in the dirt, announcing that DX12 will be exclusive to Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Speaking at a PDXLAN presentation earlier this month, AMD’s Chief Gaming Scientist Richard Huddy said that while Windows 7 remains Microsoft’s most popular operating system (52 percent of all Microsoft OS users are still on Windows 7), it won’t be getting the updated API. “One thing that’s not going to happen to it is DX12. Yup, DX12 is not coming to Windows 7,” stated Huddy definitively.
Huddy continued to say that the number of users using Windows 7 is actually growing, which may explain the decision to “force” consumers to upgrade by holding the latest DirectX at ransom. Some of you may remember that Microsoft already tried this strategy before with Windows Vista and DirectX 10. It did not work so well.
According to a recent Steam hardware survey, 47.8% of users use Windows 7, as opposed to just 21.4% on Windows 8.1.
When Windows 10 launches next year, it will come with DirectX 12 built in, while the API will be made available as a free download for Windows 8.1 users.
Source: PC Gamer
