Windows 8 Gaming Evolution Needs to Be More Than Just About DirectX vNext

A recent report indicates that Microsoft regards the advent of Windows 8 as the perfect chance for a new push into PC gaming.

The Redmond company has yet to offer official confirmation of this, but it’s expected of the software giant to at least overhaul the graphics core of Windows 7’s successor, thus catalyzing the evolution of gaming experiences leveraging the platform.

The next step for graphics is related to the introduction of DirectX vNext, of course, per the model that customers are undoubtedly already used to from previous releases of Windows.

It would be an excellent move from the software giant if it would make the successor of DirectX 11 backwards compatible with at least Windows 7, if not even Windows Vista.

This way the Redmond company would ensure that game developers have a broad audience to reach, and make Windows vNext as attractive as possible.

But at the same time, the gaming evolution of Windows 8 needs to be more than just about DirectX vNext.

While DirectX 11 offered consistent enhancements including Tessellation, Multi-Threading and DirectCompute, gaming these days is not limited to the actual graphics.

When I’m thinking about Windows 8 gaming, I’m thinking that Microsoft has to at least consider building a community of gamers much in the same manner as it did with Xbox LIVE.

For this the Redmond company needs to usher in Cloud-based services that allow for an entirely new level of sharing and collaboration among Windows gamers.

Fact is that Windows Azure could be extremely useful in making sure that Windows gamers can enjoy a variety of advantages that the Cloud makes possible, starting with social networking.

At the same time, backporting DX vNext is not the only way to make Windows 8 more attractive to game publishers.

Microsoft needs to take action in helping gaming companies fight game piracy, and ultimately increase sales.

Why not open up Windows Azure to devs, making it simpler for them to ensure that gamers run genuine products in order to access the benefits of the overall Windows 8 gaming community?