DirectX 10 Only On Vista

Next Generation is reporting that DirectX 10 will only be released for Windows Vista. Those of us puttering along with XP will have to make do with 9. From the article: "The exclusivity of DirectX 10 means that in order to enjoy the high-end features of next-generation GPUs, gamers will need to adopt Vista. Some end users are upset with Microsoft, as the move effectively forces gamers to buy Vista if they do intend to remain serious about cutting-edge PC gaming." It may even be worth it for titles like Crysis.

Comments

5 years ago this wouldn't have worked

[Anonymous Coward]

5 years ago this wouldn't have worked. But with Microsoft now buying up or publishing many of the more interesting game developers, and creating close and cushy relationships with most of the rest, all under the "XBox" umbrella, Microsoft has an amount of control over the PC game industry they've never had in the past. I really think Microsoft has a chance of getting PC game developers to adopt this even though most of their customers won't immediately be able to run it.

Once upon a time there was this dichonomy where we had the "Console" platforms, like the Super Nintendo or the Playstation, which were little walled-off cities where every detail of existence was controlled by the overlord who made the console platform; and on the other hand we had the "PC" platforms, where things were more free and anarchic and anyone could make a game. This dichonomy is dying. It won't be long before in the game world, "PC" will mean one single locked-down platform called Windows.

Re:So...

[Billly Gates]

Opengl only does graphics and is non portable to the Xbox if you want to port your game there.

DirectX is a whole suite of multimedia api's with sound and networking and is ahead of SDL. (From what I heard, I dont develop games)

Also Opengl is fragmenting and becoming stagnant as Opengl was sold to Microsoft from SGI. It seems the card makers are now coming up with their own proprietary versions.

Yeah sure. Whatever

[SmallFurryCreature]

I think your in the wrong place. Myspace is that way. This is a place for techies who know what a steaming pile of crap your statement is.

A set of routines for graphics handling are seperate from how the drivers work. Geez, what next, opengl only working on linux if you build the kernel drivers modular?

No my dimwitted marketting receptacle the only reason for DirectX 10 to be tied to Vista is purely to force people to buy Vista. There is no other reason. Offcourse MS will have made sure that DirectX 10 is closely tied to Vista in the same way they made sure that IE was closely tied to 98 and then claimed that the two were inseperable. Because they made sure they were not because it was necesarry for techinal reasons.

Check your facts

[mnmn]

"in order to enjoy the high-end features of next-generation GPUs, gamers will need to adopt Vista"

Should read, in order to enjoy the high-end features of next-generation GPUs, gamers will need to start using OpenGL.

wow, more crying

[XO]

This is the second time this week, that i've seen the main article in a slashdot story being about some guy (or group of people) crying because features in a new version of software aren't being backported to old versions.