Direct X12 "Not a massive change" - Phil Spencer

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The introduction of Direct X 12 has caused quite a stir in the community, especially due to how little we know on how much the new API will actually help the Xbox One. Many developers expressed their opinion, with some going as far as making unrealistic statements about doubling the efficiency of the console’s GPU, and others holding on more conservative and realistic stances.

Microsoft’s Xbox division head honcho Phil Spencer gave a quite realistic assessment of what we can expect today on Twitter, explaining that the new API won’t bring a “massive change,” but will help:

It will help developers on XBOX One. It’s not going to be a massive change but will unlock more capability for devs.

Interestingly, Spencer also explained what he expects from his first party studios as opposed to third party ones:

I don’t think it’s about a specific genre, more about creating exclusive franchises, taking some risks 3rd parties might not take.

Thing I ask 1st party studios is why is this a 1st party game, what tech, design or creative difference are we trying to land.

Talking about third party studios, Spencer also mentioned that he “really likes” Scalebound, the Xbox One exclusive Hideki Kamiya and Platinum Games are developing in collaboration with Microsoft.

Personally, I find quite refreshing that Spencer isn’t overpromising on what DirectX 12 will deliver, especially considering that some really went overboard with their predictions, presenting scenarios that are simply unrealistic under every point of view.

It’s also interesting to see him talk about taking risks with first party studios, even more so if we look at the fact that nowadays the industry tends to shy more and more away from making risky design decisions, that are often left to indies.

Not a massive improvement, but will help -- got it

I think everyone knew this. Consoles already have a low lvl API.

DX12 on PC is a completely different story.

I would like to know what specific changes will be made, since it's now revealed that they won't be massive. Will it allow for better performance, make development easier, more access to the hardware or all of the above?

No shit there was barely a different between DX10 to DX11, only Lems believed it would somehow make it superior to the PS4. I wish it would though I can't stand the Cows this gen.

DX12 is mainly focused on the PC. The only real benefit the Xbox One is going to see from is familiar code from the PC version (great for porting) and any little new features that they squeak in. Stuff like improved tiled resources and whatnot.

It's not going to be unlocking any hidden power. The focus is on giving software developers an API which blanket covers a lot of hardware and gives them console like hardware access, something that really bottlenecks GPUs on PCs.

Where are all the lemmings who claim dx12 as their secret sauce from heaven? they're hiding under a rock right now after reading this. Bad news just keeps on coming so please lemmings stop it with the stupid secret sauce. this gen is pretty much over for you. if you wanna pick a fight... pick on the sheep and their wii-u. xboner vs wii-u makes more sense.

Please just shut up

won’t bring a “massive change,”

Lems cant catch a break and the PS4 will continue to be the most powerful console of the gen,

so lemmings what's your next secret sauce story ?

TLHBO bb bb bb bbbbbut wait for dx12

bonaire gaming stays bonaire gaming

Only the utmost of the delusional would think this would bring forth some major change.

misterxmedia and his soft-headed followers were just put on suicide watch.

@freedomfreak: speaking of lemmings ?

For sure.

Fanboys, as you definitely know, are pretty damn stupid and delusional.

Phil is a genius so I have to take his word. The Kinect boost has shown Destiny at 1080p. The parity is coming to a end. Having more tools for the future is only going to help. Thank you Phil.

Consoles inferior yet again.

Well they are, they still have great games mate. Destiny isn't coming to pc

Everyone but cows and lems knew this. Different side of the spectums, of course.

The Xbox One already has some features of DX12 but the full features will be unlocked with DX12, so its not a massive upgrade when compared to the pc but brings new capabilities such as better multi threaded scaling etc.

Reading more about this I think Phil means it won't be a massive change developing for in terms of a technical stand point. It won't be harder to work with. The on screen results are a different topic.

Probably should thank the engineers, the people who actually improve the shitbox known as DirectX instead of the corporate sockpuppets.

@jer_1: I will forward your comment to Phil. I am sure the engineers could get some credit out of this.

@jer_1: i agree there, it's basicly those guys that work their asses off

Fixed.

Secret Xbox One hardware waiting to be unlocked

'teh Cloud'

'magic SDK update'

What's next for the Xbox One wimpy and poorly designed graphics hardware damage control?

Or is it time for the "I never cared about shallow things like 'graphics'" rationalizations?

TLHBO ROFL

already forgot about that guy but gonna check his blog for some lulz.

That castle of cards is tumbling down for lemmings.

xD

Awesome, it was my pleasure! I'm sure The_Last_Ride is right though, those guys n gals probably work their freakin asses off just for the sockpuppets to take the credit.

It won't do anything, everyone will be laughing and lems believing into MS's next bullshit.

the 10%!

After further checking, Phil was commenting on the ease of development when transitioning to DX12. Not that it won't have a impact on graphical power.

Typical cows only hearing what they want to.

mistermedia blog seems awfully quite.

ahahahaha tlhbo.

it will be a big change for the PC, though.

You sure about that? I don't see Red Dead on pc

@FoxbatAlpha:

Yeah i think your right that's what it sounded like to me to.

@FoxbatAlpha: @Scipio8:

Now where is stormyjoke,blackace and his alter account B4x and the rest of the lemmings who fight me over this...hahhahah

Secret sauce denied again first the cloud a few days ago now dx12.

You can look through the contract Bungie signed with Activision. It's says very clearly in it that the next Destiny sequels will be on PS4, XB1, and PC. With the first Destiny, they didn't agree to PC because they're required to put the first on the 360/PS3 as well. So yes, the next Destiny games are in fact coming to PC. Now, whether or not the first Destiny game will is another story, but Bungie has said they're having talks with Activision about bringing it to PC after the initial release.

@cfisher2833: But that's not sure, Bungie has said there are no plans on making a PC version

Well, everyone reasonable knew this. You should see some of the claims made about this...

And that's just another reason to like Spencer. Where Mattrick talked about "the cloud" giving several XB1's of power, Spencer cuts through the BS and call them dedicated servers. Outsiders go crazy with predictions that DX12 will double the GPU power, Spencer brings everyone back to reality.

I just hope those pinning their hopes on DX12 catch this, because it has really gotten silly.

Well it's obvious now Somebody is hearing what they want. smh...

At least Spencer tried, but what can you do?

For the first Destiny. Activision's contract with them REQUIRES them to make a PC version for the next installments in the franchise. Read it here: http://documents.latimes.com/bungie-activision-contract/

It's only the first game (of four that's planned) that's not planned to be on PC due to the requirement it be on 360/PS3--again this could change.

I think it's great that Spencer is so open and honest and upfront about everything. It seems that Microsoft as a company has changed as a result, recent E3 has been a testament to that where they were upfront that DLCs for Dragon Age or COD were not exclusive but will come out on X1 first.

If the guy keeps this up (and I have no reason to think he won't) he's going to garner a lot of goodwill from the gaming community. I'm still impressed by his E3.

It'd be pretty interesting to see what his version of an XBox looks like in a few years.

I wouldn't really call him open. He keeps talking about having plans for PC gaming yet he never actually shows or announces something.

That's pretty closed.

bu bu bu but teh secret sauce!

time to accept the crappy console xbone is lems, microsoft bet on kinect and they lost.