Episode 2 Graphical Upgrades - DirectX 10?

[CSN NewsBot]

If you couldn't tell already by the larger than normal front page here, it's been a rather busy week for news. This Game Informer news piece about future Source engine updates for Episode 2 somehow evaded our new wall-hacking radar.

For those who recently upgraded their PC video cards to support DX10, you’ll be happy to know that both Episode Two and Team Fortress 2 will support the advanced technology of these cards, even if the PC is running Windows XP. On the low-end front, Valve still plans on supporting PCs that can only run DX8 applications. Valve’s attempting to also support DX7, but couldn’t confirm if it’d go back that far with technology.

New graphical features for those with DirectX 10 cards, but who don't actually have DirectX 10? What sort of crazy, voodoo magic are they using there? In the article, Doug also mentions that contrary to popular belief, the release date delays aren't due to the console ports, but rather the fact that none of the three games included in the bundle are actually 100% completed yet for any system (including PC).

[kalabalana]

hmmm, MS won't be happy about DX10 usage outside of Vista.

[Xephik]

They weren't even done yet?



VALVe should realize if the game isn't 100% complete and bug tested about a month and a half before release date, you can't release it on that date.

[meowmeow]

If they make this DX10 exclusive, then I'm fucked.

[omgomgz]

So who says the delay wasn't because of DX10?

[rizzuh]

If the game can run on XP, then it's not DX10 exclusive.



Also, I think they're saying that though they're not running under DX10, all DX10 cards support Shader Model 4.0 — so they may add some SM3.0 effects to HL2 and TF2.

[DaRk-AnGeL]

kalabalana wrote..

hmmm, MS won't be happy about DX10 usage outside of Vista.

You can't use DX10 outside of Vista even if you have a card that is capable of it. DX10 IS Vista.

[kalabalana]

DaRk-AnGeL wrote..

You can't use DX10 outside of Vista even if you have a card that is capable of it. DX10 IS Vista.

Well I said that based on the post. If the "advanced" features of the DX10 cards are not DX10 related, then sure, everything's normal, but if these advanced features are somehow DX10 related, then it would be quite interesting (since they are saying they will work on xp).

I hope this clears up my original comment for you dark, also, I hope this helps out anyone who was also confused by my post.

[DaRk-AnGeL]

kalabalana wrote..

Well I said that based on the post. If the "advanced" features of the DX10 cards are not DX10 related, then sure, everything's normal, but if these advanced features are somehow DX10 related, then it would be quite interesting (since they are saying they will work on xp).

I hope this clears up my original comment for you dark, also, I hope this helps out anyone who was also confused by my post.

Ah, I see what you mean now :)



I guess that is where Microsofts $$$$ come into play by making sure the companies develop a product that makes people want vista

[kalabalana]

Well, with linux os's going mainstream, and mac's with intel processors, gaming exclusive to windows is something MS is struggling to hold on to.

[omgomgz]

I doubt "struggling" is the appropriate word.

[Gpig]

There's no way portal isn't done yet.