Just spotted this thread in the main forum listing... why am I not surprised Demirug's already answered everything!
Regarding the whole politics thing... whilst it might be hard... would you (or the wider technical audience) prefer it if Microsoft just allowed Direct3D to stagnate and not push forwards with graphics software/API? I'm pretty damned sure that they'd get a similar level of critiscm for that as they have for making D3D10 vista-only.
As Demirug said - they could, from a technical standpoint, roll out WDDM for XP - but its doesn't make any business sense. It'd divert internal resources (both for initial development/testing as well as long-term support) throw the ISV's (game developers) and IHV's (Nvidia's and ATI's) into chaos and generally upset a stable and mature platform. I, as well as most developers, know the WinXP/DX9 style of programming - both the good parts and the bad parts - and I know I wouldn't be happy if they suddenly went and dropped such a major system level change in.
The comment I've seen from largely uniformed people (
Not specifically aimed at Nexus mind) is that it's some evil marketing tool used by Microsoft to force everyone onto Vista. That is the one bit I don't buy - yes, it plays into the marketing departments hands, but if you actually take the time to think about it theres so much more to it :smile:
the only one they bagged was Alan Wake, and of course Halo 2
Are either of those actually using Direct3D 10? My understanding is that Alan Wake has been in development for quite some time and Halo 2 obviously has to be a port rather than a complete re-write. That is, they'd both be D3D9(Ex) titles.
It's not being played up much (yet?), but MS are really pushing Vista as a gaming platform (see various VP statements about "Gaming being a primary citizen in Vista" etc...) - so them securing some launch-day Vista exclusives doesn't necessarily have anything to do with fancy new technology in Vista
Anyway... I'll leave y'all to it.
Cheers,
Jack
