Microsoft's DirectX 12 AgilitySDK 1.618, now out of preview, introduces advanced shader delivery to eliminate shader compilation stutters and long loading times in PC games, aiming to provide a console-like experience on Windows by distributing precompiled shaders during game downloads and supporting various hardware partners.
Microsoft DirectSR is a new DirectX API designed to simplify the implementation of upscalers in PC games, abstracting multiple upscaling techniques with a standard interface and integrating the core processing of AMD Fidelity FX Super Resolution 2. It will ship as part of Direct SuperResolution and be used across all hardware, with a public preview expected soon via the Agility SDK.
Microsoft is set to unveil its new super resolution graphics technology, DirectSR, as part of the DirectX 12 suite at GDC 2024. DirectSR aims to enhance visuals and performance using machine learning, potentially benefiting lower-end gaming devices and Xbox consoles. This move could unify existing solutions like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FidelityFX, and Intel's XeSS, and may play a significant role in future console generations, particularly amid chip shortages. The new API, along with a shader interface and features for PIX, is expected to launch alongside a new Agility SDK.
Apple's new macOS Sonoma includes a Game Porting Tool that allows developers to easily port Windows games to the Mac. The tool is based on Wine, an open-source platform that translates Windows software to Unix environments. It can also translate DirectX 12 into Metal 3, Apple's API for graphics rendering and game sounds. Developers can use new tools to convert DirectX graphics to Metal, resulting in better performance. Game Mode, built into macOS Sonoma, prioritizes the gaming experience for the foregrounded game, reducing Bluetooth latency for AirPods and doubling the Bluetooth sampling rate for PlayStation and Xbox controllers.