Microsoft Reveals DirectX 12, Recommits to PC Gaming

The news out of GDC last week was, without much doubt, dominated by Sony's reveal of their Project Morpheus VR Headset. Microsoft also had a pretty big announcement... it just doesn't look quite as cool when you wear it on your head. But look at all that sexy threading!-



Let's not forget mobile! DirectX 12 lowers power consumption so mobile games won't drain your phone battery as fast... that's kind of cool.

Okay... so yeah maybe DirectX 12 isn't as cool. What is important is that besides making PC games run and look better, it is also going to be used on the Xbox One. This also lead to a round-table discussion with Microsoft's Phil Spencer-- who said that Microsoft will be turning their attention towards PC gaming again. He admitted that Steam has been the backbone for PC gaming for the last decade... and that Microsoft has kind of dropped the ball. That's an understatement considering Games for Windows Live was a colossal failure and will be shutting down permanently in July. 

It also doesn't help that Microsoft was reluctant to bring their big franchises to PC... with Halo 2 and the original Gears of War being the most recent PC entries for those series. Spencer said that there was a "renewed focus" within Microsoft to bring games to the PC, and without announcing any titles yet... they did demo a PC version of Forza 5 running on DirectX 12.  I would also be one of many people willing to throw money at a PC port of Killer Instinct. More information and announcements are promised to come this summer, most likely at E3. If I were a betting man... I'd say that VR headset rumored by the Wall Street Journal will also make an appearance this summer.

Also unlike previous updates to DirectX... DirectX12 will be supported in both Windows 7 and 8. So those of you worried about being forced into upgrading to that horrible new version of Windows just to play the latest games; apparently Microsoft is capable of learning from past mistakes.