Microsoft and Hardware Partners Introduce DirectSR API for Super-Resolution Technology in PC Games
In a move to streamline support for “super-resolution” technology in PC games, Microsoft has collaborated with hardware partners NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel to develop a new API called DirectSR. This API will enable developers to leverage the capabilities of these three companies in Windows games, each with their own unique resolution improvement plans.
Super-resolution technology utilizes machine learning and other techniques to enhance the resolution of images without overburdening the graphics card. This means that a graphics card rendering at a lower resolution can output a higher resolution image, providing a smoother and more detailed visual experience for gamers.
Currently, NVIDIA offers DLSS exclusively for NVIDIA graphics cards, while AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is more universal, supporting a wider range of hardware. Intel’s XeSS provides AI resolution enhancements for Intel hardware but has limited support for non-Intel GPUs.
The DirectSR API by Microsoft aims to facilitate “multi-vendor” super-resolution by providing a common interface for developers to work with. This eliminates the need for developers to write specific code for different resolution solutions, making it easier to integrate super-resolution technology into games.
Recently, a Twitter user @PhantomofEarth spotted an AI-driven “automatic super-resolution” setting in a Windows Insider preview version, hinting at a potential feature similar to DirectSR. Microsoft has announced that DirectSR will be available to game developers in a public preview version of the Agility SDK, part of DirectX 12, with more details to be revealed at the DirectX State of the Union event at GDC on March 21.
With the introduction of DirectSR, Microsoft aims to provide a seamless and efficient experience for developers looking to integrate super-resolution technology into their Windows games. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking API and its implications for the gaming industry.