Microsoft Touts DirectX 11

It seems that DirectX 10 just launched recently (late 2006 with the release of Windows Vista), but at Seattle-based Gamefest 2008 on Tuesday, Microsoft was touting the latest addition to its API suite.

Microsoft said DX11 will introduce new shader technology "that lays the groundwork for the GPU to be used for more than just 3D graphics, so that developers can take advantage of the graphics card as a parallel processor."

But perhaps most importantly to consumers, Microsoft said that DX11 will be compatible with DX10 and DX10.1 hardware (as well as new DX11 hardware), so gamers won't have to toss current hardware to play newer games.