14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is getting ready to introduce a new DirectX version, as the company has recently launched a teaser indicating that the unveiling could take place at the Game Developer Conference on March 20.
The teaser page published on the MSDN blogs also displays the logos of some companies, including AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, which is basically a sign that Microsoft has worked with the majority of its partners for the next version of DirectX.
A post on the GDC program page reveals that Anuj Gosalia, a development manager on Windows Graphics at Microsoft, is scheduled to hold the keynote for the DirectX 12 unveiling on March 20.
“For nearly 20 years, DirectX has been the platform used by game developers to create the fastest, most visually impressive games on the planet,” the post reads.
“However, you asked us to do more. You asked us to bring you even closer to the metal and to do so on an unparalleled assortment of hardware. You also asked us for better tools so that you can squeeze every last drop of performance out of your PC, tablet, phone and console. Come learn our plans to deliver.”
While the DirectX 12 unveiling could take place sometime this month, people familiar with the matter hint that a new DirectX version might be implemented in the next full build of Windows, which is very likely to be Windows 9. According to existing reports, Windows 9 might debut in early 2015.
Windows 7 was the latest operating system that brought a major DirectX update. In October 2009, Microsoft rolled out DirectX 11, while DirectX 11.1 was included in Windows 8. Windows 8.1, the OS update that was officially released in October 2013, came with DirectX 11.2, just like Windows Server 2012 R2.
Windows 9, the OS version that’s expected to debut in April 2015, is very likely to bring several improvements for the desktop, including options to pin Metro apps to the taskbar and launch them without the need to access the Start screen.
What’s more, the Modern UI will be optimized in such a way that it will be easily to use on desktop computers, as the software giant is working to give Metro another chance to succeed. Word is that it could even bring Metro apps on the desktop in separate windows.
As a result, the launch of DirectX 12 in Windows 9 pretty much makes sense, especially because the new OS is expected to tackle the desktop world a lot more effectively.