DirectX 11.1 Exclusive to Windows 8

[Shawn Zipay]

For as much as I love Windows 8, there's something downright wrong of Microsoft to make DirectX 11.1 exclusive to the latest operating system. However, that is precisely what they've done yet again.

Remember back when DirectX 10 came out and was exclusive to Windows Vista? Yep, it's like that again with 11.1 and Windows 8. Meaning, if there is ever a game released that requires DirectX 11.1, you will have to make the jump to Windows 8 or you miss out on that game.

So what then does DirectX 11.1 bring to the table? Hell if I know. Without visual distinctions between 11.1 and older DirectX versions, I have no real idea what benefits any of that stuff has for the end user.

So, how did this big reveal come about? It came from a Microsoft tech support reply on the official MSDN forums. That's hardly an official announcement of anything, but that's all there is right now.

Given how few games out there actually require DirectX 10, even today, this probably won't be much of an issue for most gamers out there. At least, it probably won't be a huge issue for quite some time.

This silly business aside, Windows 8 is still rather awesome.

(via RPS)

[Linux]

And this is why we wait for Windows 9. It is the same format as Windows Vista => Suck Windows 7 => Better Windows 8 => Suck Windows 9 => We can only hope that it is better.

Also what game on the market at this moment uses DX11.1 would be the real question to ask. I personally cannot think of any game using DX11.1 yet. Half the games that come out still use DX9/10 because they have been in dev. for so long it was pointless for them to upgrade to the latest and greatest. I don't think DX11.1 is going to be anything more amazing.

[Shawn Zipay]

Sorry Linux, but you're wrong on this one when it comes to Windows 8.

[Stev0esque]

I haven't even used the full version of 8 (was using the preview on a netbook, which was below optimum res for it, so Metro didn't work properly) but I still think that all the negative attention its gotten is overhyped.

Personally I think that people just put too much faith in internet celebs. Just because Gabe Newell and Notch said something suddenly it must be terrible.

Having said that, I am happy with windows 7, so unless 8 comes with the laptop I get next or its cheaper when I build my next rig I'm probably sticking with 7, mainly for savings.

[Anarchy1]

Why upgrade from 7 when 7 is perfect?

[Stev0esque]

Why upgrade from 7 when 7 is perfect?

I don't know if this is directed at anyone, but 7 isn't perfect, I think the real problem is that 8 offers nothing for gamers that is truly more beneficial over 7. I think its dangerous to lose sight of that and just hype up something that isn't that bad to something that is the worst thing in the world and will ruin your childrens lives.

I'm just tired of Hyperbolic statements, so tired I just used one.

[Anarchy1]

It wasn't directed at anyone.

For me, Windows 7 is everything I want in an OS. Sure, saying it is perfect is wrong, as there are still issues with it. But there is nothing in 8 that I don't have in 7 that I want, and so I don't feel like I should upgrade. IMO, I would have preferred they continued to make 7 great, maybe even add in some of the "new" 8 features to it, instead of making a whole new OS.

[Stev0esque]

It wasn't directed at anyone.

For me, Windows 7 is everything I want in an OS. Sure, saying it is perfect is wrong, as there are still issues with it. But there is nothing in 8 that I don't have in 7 that I want, and so I don't feel like I should upgrade. IMO, I would have preferred they continued to make 7 great, maybe even add in some of the "new" 8 features to it, instead of making a whole new OS.

Thats a reason I respect, rather than "ooh, GabeN(otch) said it was bad so it must be bad!". And as I said I'm most likely following that route unless 8 is cheaper.

[DJ_Casper]

Thats a reason I respect, rather than "ooh, GabeN(otch) said it was bad so it must be bad!". And as I said I'm most likely following that route unless 8 is cheaper.

So fk it! Who cares about mobile OS which is designed for tablet... Anyway Dx12 would be a major imprevoment but mehhhh 11.1 vs 11.0 is like an eyedrop in the ocean

[Vreki]

It wasn't directed at anyone.

For me, Windows 7 is everything I want in an OS. Sure, saying it is perfect is wrong, as there are still issues with it. But there is nothing in 8 that I don't have in 7 that I want, and so I don't feel like I should upgrade. IMO, I would have preferred they continued to make 7 great, maybe even add in some of the "new" 8 features to it, instead of making a whole new OS.

Same here. Win 7 works fine for me, and Win 8 has no must-haves and a couple of suspicious design choices.
I don't expect to see it at my workplace anytime soon either.