Though DirectX 12, the upcoming update to Microsoft’s popular graphics API, has shown monstrously improved performance over DirectX 11, it may take a while before it has an impact on improving certain Xbox One trends. This includes the trend developers have of releasing games at 900p resolution versus 1080p resolution on the PS4, as is the case with CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Senior game designer Damien Monnier spoke to followers on Twitter about the same, stating that, “I think any resolution changes would require a much bigger change from Microsoft than dx12 upgrade to be honest.”
This prompted the reply that developers should try DirectX 12 before saying something like this, to which Monnier said, “Oh of course we’ll try. I just don’t want to promise anything unless I can deliver that’s all.”
It should be noted that The Witcher 3’s lead engine programmer Balazs Torok spoke to us in August 2014 and stated pretty much the same thing. “I think there is a lot of confusion around what and why DX12 will improve.
“Most games out there can’t go 1080p because the additional load on the shading units would be too much. For all these games DX12 is not going to change anything.” While it might enable developers to push more triangles, there won’t be a way to shade them.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is out on May 19th for Xbox One, PS4 and PC so stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
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