280°

Microsoft makes DirectX 11.1 exclusive to Windows 8, no support for Windows 7/Vista

DSOGaming writes: "Okay everyone, you did see that coming, didn't you? Well, it appears that DirectX 11.1 will be an API that is exclusive for Windows 8, just like DX10 was for Windows Vista and DX11 was for Windows 7 (well, that was until MS released a Vista version for it). This does not shock us at all, as Microsoft is simply trying to make everyone upgrade to its latest OS, by any means necessary."

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dsogaming.com
Muffins12234183d ago

Well it's not that much different from dx11 so i think its safe to say game developers wont use it.

nukeitall4183d ago

Well, just enable it for people on Windows 8 and stick to DirectX 11 for the rest. No big deal.

Most likely you can't even tell the difference if they were put side to side.

Grap4182d ago

it's not like DX12 or something. and MS trying to sell it's new OS.

badz1494183d ago

about their dislike of MS's approach with 8! and there are still not many games even DX11 enabled yet! there are games released recently still using DX9 for god sake!

I'm gonna side with the devs on this and stay with 7! I don't see the need for 8 just yet and my Win 7 64bit is still good enough to serve several more years!

da_2pacalypse4183d ago

I don't plan to ever upgrade to that awful windows8 platform. Microsoft is turning windows into a half-assed version of apple... and that's sad, because apple is already a half-assed version of windows OS.

Anon19744183d ago

So, Windows 8 is a half assed version of Apple OS which is sad because the Apple OS was a half assed version of previous windows OS's, is that what you're saying? And what, pray tell, was the Windows GUI originally accused of being a copy of?

Short memories around here.

At any rate, I'll pass on Windows 8 for now. I've learned over the years, no good comes of jumping on board new Window's OS's. If they flop, MS pulls the plug quickly and even if they don't, they often end up being pretty damn buggy until at least the first major service packs. Operating systems are an instance where it's never a good idea to be an early adopter.

nukeitall4182d ago

@darkride86:

"At any rate, I'll pass on Windows 8 for now. I've learned over the years, no good comes of jumping on board new Window's OS's. If they flop, MS pulls the plug quickly and even if they don't, they often end up being pretty damn buggy until at least the first major service packs. Operating systems are an instance where it's never a good idea to be an early adopter."

My experience has been that since Windows XP, every Windows release has been pretty rock solid. No problems at all except incompatible drivers.

If anything it is more an issue of learning the new things.

I don't know why people keep saying early releases are buggy, but I believe it is a myth. It's got to be, because nobody I know have any real issues.

hellvaguy4182d ago

I guess it's just human nature to be scared and stubborn toward change with little to no evidence to support being bias.

Reminds me of when checking accounts came out and all the old timers refused to put money inside of banks. They just keep fist fulls of money balled up inside of their matresses.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4182d ago
ATi_Elite4183d ago (Edited 4183d ago )

See this is the CRAP that makes many top tier PC Devs such as Valve and Blizzard wanna go the OpenGL route!

No one wants to have to deal with Microsoft and it's greedy tactics when it comes to DirectX!

Forcing Gamers to buy Windows 8 just to get DX11.1 is gonna hurt the development of games using DX11.1 (although the improvements from DX11 are minor). This same tactic hurt the development of DX10 Games by forcing that Vista crap on Gamers.

No one wanted Vista therefore the list of DX10 games was small and DX10 never got any attention from DEvs and had it's problems fixed!

When will Microsoft grow the "F" up and stop this nonsense of trying to force Gamers to buy your Crappy OS's by weaving DirectX into them.

DirectX should be an api that runs fluid on any MS OS and should never be tied to just one OS version!

Windows 8 is crap and is really of NO Use to Gamers or anyone who doesn't have a touch screen. Actually Windows 8 is even more of a turn off to Gamers cause at anytime Microsoft may force Devs to pay higher fees cause of the stupid app store.

It's time for PC Gamers to step up and petition Devs to go all out for OpenGL and alternative Operating systems so that DirectX and Microsoft can DIE when we no longer buy Windows!

OpenGL, Linux, Chrome OS, and I'm even waiting for the glorious day when Apple Execs Open up OSX to freedom!! If Apple wants more market share in teh OS business then all they have to do is Open OSX up and make it Gamer friendly!

Windows and Microsoft are nothing but an eyesore on PC Gaming!

I will NOT be buying Windows 8 but I will find an alternative way to get DX11.1 on my PC just like I had DX10 but never bought Vista!

Windows 7 is just fine and should get the DX11.1 update just like WinXp was deserved the DX10 version!

hellvaguy4182d ago

Sounds like you want private companies to give you all kinds of free technology. Maybe this socialist approach should be called ObamaDX11.1.

TheModernKamikaze4183d ago

I hate it when Microsoft does this, even if it's a minor thing.

Prcko4183d ago

microsoft
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

DaThreats4183d ago (Edited 4183d ago )

How about MAC?
@below
Oh yeah thats right

wishingW3L4183d ago (Edited 4183d ago )

DirectX is an API developed by Microsoft and only for Windows. Macs are OpenGL only.

Braid4183d ago

You can install any Windows version to your MAC though. MAC, being the platform, supports Windows installations through Bootcamp, that way you can get your DX9-10-11-11.1 games running on your MAC as well.

MAC OS X, being the operating system however, will never get DX support, as it's owned by Microsoft's software department.

NYC_Gamer4183d ago

MS is just trying to move more W8 copies

mcstorm4183d ago

And do you blame them? Its like Sony or Nintendo stopping development on there consoles for the next.

At the End of the Day MS are a business and to make money you need people to buy your products.

Also is this really a big Deal MS offer anyone using XP, Vista and 7 a Pro upgrade of Windows 8 for £24.99. To me is a no brainer. Your pc will start-up faster and in general see an improvement in speed and you also get D11.1 support.

Ive been using Windows 8 on my work pc for a few months now and I have to say I like it a lot more than the old style windows plus my 3 year old laptop runs a lot better with the new software to.

For me Im going to get a surface pro next year and this will replace my laptop and Xoom as it will be a decice that will do everything I need it to do as a tablet and laptop.

MidnytRain4183d ago

I don't know much about computers, but I don't think it's the same thing. New consoles are more capable than their predecessors. Here, Microsoft seems to be making DX11.1 exclusive to Windows 8 just because they can (money). Even then, at one point, some games were developed for both PS2 AND PS3, as well as the GameCube and Wii.

mcstorm4183d ago

@MidnytRain I know what your saying but Windows is a peace of software like Android or IOS. Apple don't give the new Iphones everything that the new Iphone gets IE Seri.

Or Samsung not offering the latest build of Android on there tablets. Example the Samsung Galaxy 10.3G is still running version 3.0 yet my Xoom is running the latest version of Jelly bean and they are both the same spec and the Galaxy 10.1 is about 3 months newer.

This is the same thing with Windows. Just like consoles, Phones ect its a new OS and MS need to give reasons to upgrade to it. The never gave Windows XP IE9.

People will moan no matter what MS, Sony, Nintendo ect do with any of there products but at the end of the day MS want to get as many people to move over to there new OS system as this is the look of MS now and by getting new users on Windows 8 will help them in selling more Windows Phone 8 and Xbox/Kinect devices as this is there eco system.

Show all comments (47)
200°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv7215h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle2h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18810m ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

Cacabunga2h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff21831h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga19m ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

purple1014h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos4h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

XBManiac3h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1013h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic1h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

Show all comments (20)
300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 12h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 9h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 7h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 2h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies22h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 9h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic19h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows9019h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 11h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 11h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 8h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 10h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 9h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

Show all comments (21)
280°

Xbox's Preservation Step Sets A Much-Needed Example, Especially For Nintendo

Hanzla from eXputer inquires: "If Xbox can care about preserving its games and legacy, what exactly is wrong with Nintendo, trying to kill game preservation single-handedly?"

purple10112d ago

Ahh yes the good old game preservation of saving all your games to a removable hhd on the Xbox 360, taking it round your mates house, setting up multiple tvs to
Be met with “save data corrupted, please re download”

Or how about removing 360 games
From the store
, download them now or else, and, better hope to god that save data doesn’t corrupt, or it’s lost for ever

Nice one ☝️

Zeref12d ago

It's better than what Nintendo and Playstation is doing. It might not be perfect but at least they are TRYING. Unlike the others.

DarXyde11d ago

Trying? Take off the blinders for a moment, mate.

1. A failure to preserve games is just that: a failure to preserve games. Don't try to sugarcoat it: NO ONE is doing it properly. Better than awful is nothing to write home about.

2. At the time of this comment, isn't it the case that you need an internet connection to play Xbox games even if you buy physical discs that are hardly in circulation anymore? I don't have a Series X and I can't verify, but I think that is correct. I'm fairly certain you can at least play PS5 games at version 1.0 (not much of a win really when many games require day one patches). I think Microsoft's all digital, licensing approach is by far more aggressive than anyone else's. They really try to push you to game pass where you lose your entire library by umm.... Skipping a month of payments.

I don't think anyone is doing it right whatsoever. Don't get me started on Nintendo, who goes after anyone looking to preserve their games better than they ever would with extreme litigation.

Don't be a simp for any of these companies. Get it together.

PhillyDonJawn11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

@DarX never speak on Xbox again. You lost all credibility with your internet connection comment. Smh you have 0 clue and misinformed yet speaking on something you don't no squat about.

Einhander197211d ago

What has Sony done exactly? You guys keep deflecting to Sony but I am not actually seeing any results, and ai am certain nothing that you can come up with even comes close to what Microsoft has done and what they have tried and failed to do, like tie all your disks to your account on xbone.

Microsoft removed their whole indie section when they moved to the xbone because they were going to only allow games on the service that came from a publisher, id@xbox started after xbone launched and it only exists because Sony embraced indie and Microsoft was forced to cancel their plans and reverse course.

And every single game that was part of games for windows live including disk games (I have gta 4 on disk that won't work) so hundreds of games that use that DRM no longer work unless the company themselves patched it out which of course very few did.

MrBaskerville11d ago

Not trying. Tried. they killed of the backcomp program years ago. They set something up again, but sounds like it's more of an attempt to save the current library on whatever they are planning next. With luck they save everything and more, but let's see. I could see them killing off parts of the OG xbox and 360 libraries. Can't imagine that they would allow us to play Forza 5-7 in the future.

With that said, I do like what they've done and really wish they could have done more.

shinoff218311d ago

Zeref

So killing off physical media is trying what exactly. Ms don't really give a fk if you think they do your kidding yourself.

Profchaos11d ago

They are not trying this team is established for forward compatability the team is. It interested in preserving Xbox or 360 games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
isarai12d ago

Is that why Hellblade 2 is digital only?

Zeref12d ago

Just because it's digital only doesn't mean you can't preserve it. Just put it on an external and you have the exact same functionality of what a disc does.

MrNinosan12d ago

Guess you're trolling, but if you actually think that's how it works, I'd recommend buying some braincells.

mkis00711d ago (Edited 11d ago )

Volitile vs nonvolitile data. A disc will not corrupt either. A drive can be corrupted.

Einhander197212d ago

This is just a scammy PR move to distract from the fact they are going digital only and trying to push streaming and subscriptions only.

No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft.

Without discs there is no preservation, preservation can't be done by the rights holders it can only be done by the consumers, anything else is a lie.

12d ago Replies(3)
Einhander197212d ago

Anyone remember xblig which Microsoft removed their whole 360 indie section removing hundreds of games from people?

12d ago
12d ago
Zeref12d ago

Do you know you can put your games on an external and preserve them that way? There are no benefits to discs. ZERO. Idk why some of you are still obsessed with them.

DarXyde11d ago

Because games like Persona 5 exist. It's STILL V1.00. On Playstation, that's a win because 1.00 is installed on the disc—no need to download anything.

If a game does not require any updates, it's all on the disc.

Extremely low bar in the modern era, of course. It's not much of a win by any stretch.

But for now, physical media does have a purpose, at least on Playstation.

Einhander197211d ago

That is factually not how game licensing works, try plugging your hard drive into someone else xbox, It's not going to work, and it won't work if the licensing servers ever go down.

Einhander197211d ago

Anyone remember games for windows live.

I have around a dozen games, some on Steam itself that will not work because Microsoft shut off the licensing servers.

BehindTheRows11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

I do. I STILL have games (Gears of War being the big one) I cannot access because Games for Windows LIVE is total garbage and no one has held Microsoft accountable.

Zeref11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership.

Chevalier11d ago

"You don't have an Xbox apparently. Because you can 100 percent plug in your external and play games from it on any Xbox console lol. You just have to be logged in to prove ownership."

Damn how many times do people got to explain your idiocy to you? You can take a copy of Persona 5 like someone used as an example and play that game on ANY console WITHOUT logging in which means I can lend the game to a friend without internet and they can play my game. Can you lend your hard drive to anyone without logging in for them to play? NOPE. That is a huge difference and if you think otherwise then sorry you're an idiot.

Tacoboto11d ago

"No gaming company has pushed harder to remove ownership than Microsoft."

Ubisoft is literally erasing games people bought from their libraries... My PS1-3 discs are useless on modern hardware. Nintendo's re-published and resold almost their entire Wii U library, and the eShop is completely dead with no BC mechanism in the Switch software. Microsoft publishes everything they make today day one on Steam and Xbox/Windows. Sony only brings to PC the titles they think you might want some years later and Nintendo won't even design a functional long-lasting joystick.

You're absolutely trolling and not serious if you think Microsoft today is the worst offender.

shinoff218311d ago

Yay steam

Not everyone fks with computers though. The disc is still the best way as a console player. Period.

Tacoboto11d ago

How do Sony and Nintendo feel about these discs from 2001-2013?

Don't be stupid, you know Xbox is the best at this today.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 11d ago
Hofstaderman12d ago

Nobody wants this. Sales or the lack of it in the case of XBOX is very telling. I wonder how the adorably all digital series X will fare. Adorably dismal perhaps?

crazyCoconuts11d ago

Only time will tell, but for from someone like me suspecting that Xbox is trying to gracefully exit the console market, that "forward compatibility" team is trying to get Xbox games playing on Windows PCs. I mean, it's nice that they're not planning on exiting with a "enjoy your games while the hardware still works" message, so that's nice. They still have a brand to protect via Microsoft so probably feel obligated to have a better exit strategy.

Xeofate11d ago (Edited 11d ago )

That is not their plan, their plan is to transfer users accounts to the cloud.

Phil Spencer himself said as much a few months back, plans could have changed but I think people are reading way too much into one statement where Phil said he would allow Epic on xbox because he wants to be able to sell xbox games directly on other platforms. Aka, instead of selling Sea of Thives through PSN he wants to have an xbox store to sell his games on PlayStation without giving PlayStation any money.

Again, it's extremely unlikely that Phil plans to put PC on xbox and licensing would prevent them from just giving out other publishers games purchased on xbox copies of thier games on PC, Microsoft does not own their games.

crazyCoconuts10d ago

The thing that doesn't align with the cloud strategy is the giving up on exclusives. You'd still need strong exclusives for cloud streaming - it's still a "platform" , just with a lower upfront hardware investment. I feel like they've learned what PS learned with PSNow long ago. We're not ready to stream games and it's only gonna lose them money to try at this point

FinalFantasyFanatic11d ago

I would love that, I'd buy up some of the Xbox games if they could run on PC, like the Rare Replay, Lost Odyssey and Dead or Alive Ultimate, probably a pipe dream though.

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