In the past, updates to Microsoft’s DirectX 12 API, which provides various features and effects for compatible games and hardware, have been linked to updates for Windows 10, but it looks like that will change with the DirectX 12 Agility SDK (Software Development Kit).
The idea behind this, according to a Microsoft blog, is that “developers can now add the latest DirectX 12 features to their games, and players can play games with those features without having to upgrade their OS.” This should mean that the new DirectX 12 features in gaming come into play much faster.
Terminating DirectX 12 updates with Windows Updates should – he hopes – encourage developers to add these features to their games. As PC Gamer points out, some developers were reluctant to use the new DirectX 12 features, as this could mean that many gamers don’t benefit because they are unable or unwilling to update Windows 10 to a newer version.
With the DirectX 12 Agility SDK this can be avoided as it will be compatible with Windows November 10, 2019 and later versions.
It also means developers don’t have to wait for a major Windows 10 update to include new DirectX 12 features in their games – instead, new features can be rolled out to gamers at any time. That, I hope, should mean a more regular – and faster – flow of new features coming into the games.
Well played
Separating DirectX 12 updates from Windows 10 updates is a great move in our opinion, especially if it means new features are coming into games more often.
It also stops Microsoft from trying to get people to upgrade to a new version of Windows 10 just to get those new features. While we usually recommend that people always use the latest version of Windows 10, there are many people who would rather stick to older versions – mostly due to the fact that it works for them, while new updates for Windows 10 can sometimes remove features or applications they rely on or present new errors.
Then players who want to keep the upgrade for Windows 10 should no longer be penalized. The new features will be released as individual DirectX 12 Agility SDK updates and will likely appear in Windows Update, so don’t miss out.