Diablo 3 to have DirectX 10.1 support

[fivefeet8]

A superset of a DX API will always be compatible with it's subset. Dx9c was compatible with Dx9a/b because it includes them as a subset. The issue is that some developers are no longer creating a render path for SM2a/b when a SM3 render path is more efficient.

Same for Dx10.1. If a developer chooses to not include a Dx10 render path but only Dx10.1, then it won't run on Dx10 hardware. This won't happen anytime soon though.

[Medion]

After 2+ years, you're going to need to be turning off features anyway just to get decent framerate if you're still running the same tired video card on new games. It might as well be features the card doesn't even have * shrug *. Case and point, remember the (respectable) ATI Radeon 9500. That card has DX9 support. But unless you're into slideshows, I recommend leaving the DX9 graphics features disabled if that's what you're using.

Being able to play games with a few features turned off or reduced is better than not being able to at all. There's a difference, and anyone should be able to see that.

Fortunately, this analogy is horrible. DX 10.1 is 100% backwards compatible to DX 10.0.

And? DX 10.0 is not forwards compatible. If a DX10.1 feature is required, a DX10.0 card will not function, just as SM2.0 cards (DX 9.0b) don't work with SM3.0 (DX 9.0c) games.

You're latching on to a concept that I don't care about. You seem to think that because you need to have all features on high/max, everyone is like you. There are a lot of people out there who are content with a GPU upgrade every 3 years, even if it means newer games have to inch towards medium rather than high. Also, you'd be surprised at the longevity. My wife's 7600GT is over 2 years old now, but it still performs well enough.

[Chiggs]

If a DX10.1 feature is required, a DX10.0 card will not function, just as SM2.0 cards (DX 9.0b) don't work with SM3.0 (DX 9.0c) games.


This is just wrong, and your SM3.0 example is REALLY misleading. DX 10.1 is essentially about optimizations; if a DX 10.1 "feature" is needed, the DX 10.0 card will just do it slower. Think one rendering pass versus two. Additionally, I'm pretty sure Nvidia's DX 10.0 cards do support multisample readback, which is one of the main "features" of DX 10.1.

Don't get me wrong; DX 10.1 is fine...it's just not the giant leap forward overzealous fanboys will have you believe it is.

[Medion]

This is just wrong, and your SM3.0 example is REALLY misleading. DX 10.1 is essentially about optimizations; if a DX 10.1 "feature" is needed, the DX 10.0 card will just do it slower. Think one rendering pass versus two. Additionally, I'm pretty sure Nvidia's DX 10.0 cards do support multisample readback, which is one of the main "features" of DX 10.1.

Don't get me wrong; DX 10.1 is fine...it's just not the giant leap forward overzealous fanboys will have you believe it is.

It's also not just the "optimizations" some people, like you, believe. If a game has an exclusive SM4.1 path, it will not work with SM4.0. So no, I was not incorrect, but you sure were.

Better luck next time.

[Chiggs]

Better luck next time.

At what? Trying to reason with an internet know-it-all? No, I think I'll pass. DX 10.1 in incremental, plain and simple. SM3.0 was a lot more substantial, in my opinion.

[-=DVS=-]

Well for me i just hope it comes out any time soon could not care less if its DX8 or DX 10.1 , from the looks of it , it could have been made on DX 7 tech anyhow , its not Crysis or photo realism. Its gonna be fun to play regardless.

[Medion]

SM3.0 was a lot more substantial, in my opinion.

I agree that the jump was more substantial. Doesn't change the fact that if a game uses SM4.1 with no 4.0 path, DX10 becomes incompatible.

[SH64]

I read somewhere that Operation Hidden Dagger (http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=115780) will support DX10.1


:bleh:

[jolle]

I agree that the jump was more substantial. Doesn't change the fact that if a game uses SM4.1 with no 4.0 path, DX10 becomes incompatible.
Yeah but that situation is pretty unlikely, games are still being based on DX9 more or less.
Its gonna be several years until DX9 is faded out, let alone DX10, and when that happens, I doubt DX10.1 is going to be supported without a DX10 path, along side "DX11 and DX12" or what they will be called.

But if they start doing things with DX10.1 render paths that stand out a bit, it´ll prolly sting a little for anyone with a "DX10 only" card.
Prolly not gonna be night and day stuff, but still.

[josiahsuarez]

I'm sure by the time this is released, DX 10.1 will be old hat. in other words, this is a christmas 2009 game probably. summer 2009 at the earliest.