DirectX 12 Ultimate is Microsoft's new programming interface and establishes a consistent feature set between Xbox X and the next generation of PC games.
When the Xbox Series X specifications and features were revealed earlier this week, one question was raised about what all this could mean for the future of PC gaming. PC games and Xbox are now more closely intertwined than ever before, especially while Microsoft is linking the two with cross-platform and cross-buy game distributions, not to mention sharing like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscription service. As part of today's DirectX Developer Day, Microsoft details a technology that wants to ensure that the two stay in sync: DirectX 12 Ultimate.
Of course, DirectX has provided strong support for many video games. After all, Xbox was originally the life of DirectXbox, but DX12 Ultimate is the highest achievement of what Microcoftft calls DirectX (new version) over 25 years. Can "unprecedented fit between PC and Xbox Series X." As part of this announcement, Microsoft has also revealed a variety of developer benefits aimed at simplifying the lives of game creators, all of which are designed to encourage developers of all sizes to adopt new features.
What does this mean for gamers? Well, this actually means that when it comes to DX12 Ultimate, there will be feature parity between games-so PC players can guarantee the Xbox Series X feature set, such as DirectX-driven ray tracing, variable rate shadowing, Mesh shader and sampler feedback. Basically, by buying PC hardware with the DirectX 12 Ultimate logo on the box, PC players know they will have access to all the Xbox Series X features in games that support them.
DX12 Ultimate is described as a way to make it easier for developers, while also providing gamers with "ensure their hardware meets the highest standards of support for next-generation gaming features." However, despite this, it will not be an obstacle for existing PC owners-the next generation of games using DX12 Ultimate features can still run on non-DX12 Ultimate hardware, although some of these new features and optimizations have been disabled. DX12 Ultimate is designed to accompany the existing PC ecosystem, not replace it.
The official DX12 Ultimate revealed: "Microsoft's Game Stack can give developers the tools they need to create a bold, immersive gaming experience, and DX12 Ultimate is the ideal tool for enlarging game graphics." "DX12 Ultimate is the last five Consequences of investing in the DirectX 12 platform over the years to ensure that Xbox and Windows 10 maintain their pinnacle of graphics technology. To further enable game developers to create games with amazing visual effects, we have enhanced features that have begun to transform games, such as DirectX Light Tracking and variable rate shadowing, and added new key features such as mesh shader and sampler feedback.
"These features together represent years of innovation from Microsoft and its partners in the hardware industry. DX12 Ultimate bundles them all together, giving developers a key to unlock the next generation of graphics on PCs and Xbox Series X."
To learn more about Direct X 12 Ultimate and its game implications, visit the official DirectX blog, where the full feature set is detailed in detailed technical details. Xbox Series X will be launched this holiday season-presumably the first DX12 Ultimate PC hardware will follow suit.
