In order to provide game developers with a smooth integration experience, Microsoft has unveiled a new Windows API that leverages high resolution AI-upscaling capabilities from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. Program manager Joshua Tucker claims that Microsoft’s new DirectSR API will give users “a smoother, more efficient experience that scales across hardware” and calls it the “missing link” between super resolution technologies and games in a recent blog post.
According to the post, “A single code path can activate multiple solutions, such as Nvidia DLSS Super Resolution, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution, and Intel XeSS, by enabling multi-vendor SR [super resolution] through a common set of inputs and outputs.” The idea seems to be that rather than needing to write code for every upscaling solution, developers will be able to support this DirectSR API.
The blog post was published a few weeks after a preview version of Windows 11 was found to have a feature called “Automatic Super Resolution,” which claimed to “use AI to make supported games play more smoothly with enhanced details.” It now appears that instead of providing a Windows-level substitute, the functionality will integrate with already-existing super resolution technologies like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS.
According to Microsoft, a preview of their Agility SDK will soon make the new API public. It intends to provide a developer session at the upcoming Game Developers Conference (GDC) with a “sneak peek” at how DirectSR can be used. Participating at the session on March 21st will be representatives from Nvidia, AMD, and Microsoft.
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