...you don't need to upgrade to the newest version of Windows to use the newest version of OpenGL which means that the millions of people who are still using WinXP can benefit from this update. It's also pretty cool that Nvidia claims this update can be rolled to older generations of video cards.
Usually if a game has an OS check. Sometimes it may use an OS function that only exists in a specific version or higher, even though that function may rarely, if ever, be called by engine code.
Having used both OpenGL and DirectX as a developer myself, I can say hands down that DirectX has the superior interface and API. On top of that it is far easier to use. Even Carmack has stated that DirectX is superior to OpenGL. (Search the web)
Perhaps is OpenGL stopped worrying about backwards compatibility and also made a user-friendly API not made of entirely C calls, more people might use it.
Apparently one cannot insert a link into a post without it being seen as spam. Try this: http:// www. bit-tech. net/news/gaming/2011/03/11/carmack-directx-better-opengl/ (Remove spaces, or just google "Carmack DirectX" and you will find a bunch of articles)
It really doesn't matter. DirectX has been losing market share as fast IE. The huge API flaw is that it only works with Windows and Xbox. Everyone else use OpenGL especially OpenGL ES. As a developer myself, I know that almost no makes there own 3D engine any more, and most 3d engines are designed to run either API.
theres been no reason for me to update AT ALL, NONE, Directx10 was not a good enough reason to go to vista. Theres only 1 reason id want to upgrade OS now and thats BF3. BUT THATS IT!!! Ive had no issues with the quality of Directx9 in todays games whatsoever, they look great on highest settings in Directx9 so i havent needed to upgrade till now. Till BF3. Even BF3 doesnt really look that much better than Crysis 2 in Directx9 on highest settings.
So all the people stating that XP is dead and gone, you probably updated to that awful vista too and youll probably update to Windows 8 also even though its mainly catering to Tablets and touchscreens.
Also a lot of people dont like to upgrade OS because they use software and hardware on thier older OS's. Upgrading OS can sometimes be difficult to play older games also and you sometimes have to wait 6 months to a YEAR on a new OS.
Most thigns will play on 64bit WIN7 however after 6-12 months of patching. Not all of use see the point in upgrading to the latest thing out , if the latest thing isnt worth the trouble and the effort.
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phatboye - Tuesday, August 9, 2011 - link
...you don't need to upgrade to the newest version of Windows to use the newest version of OpenGL which means that the millions of people who are still using WinXP can benefit from this update. It's also pretty cool that Nvidia claims this update can be rolled to older generations of video cards.BuddyRich - Tuesday, August 9, 2011 - link
While true, it would be nice if game makers actually supported it...(other than ID)...Worse are the games that have OS checks that arbitrarily prohibit installs on older OSes for no reason.
Though really, XP is dead and gone, Win7 is better than XP in almost every way.
inighthawki - Tuesday, August 9, 2011 - link
Usually if a game has an OS check. Sometimes it may use an OS function that only exists in a specific version or higher, even though that function may rarely, if ever, be called by engine code.Having used both OpenGL and DirectX as a developer myself, I can say hands down that DirectX has the superior interface and API. On top of that it is far easier to use. Even Carmack has stated that DirectX is superior to OpenGL. (Search the web)
Perhaps is OpenGL stopped worrying about backwards compatibility and also made a user-friendly API not made of entirely C calls, more people might use it.
inighthawki - Tuesday, August 9, 2011 - link
Apparently one cannot insert a link into a post without it being seen as spam. Try this:http:// www. bit-tech. net/news/gaming/2011/03/11/carmack-directx-better-opengl/
(Remove spaces, or just google "Carmack DirectX" and you will find a bunch of articles)
dudeshadow - Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - link
It really doesn't matter. DirectX has been losing market share as fast IE. The huge API flaw is that it only works with Windows and Xbox. Everyone else use OpenGL especially OpenGL ES. As a developer myself, I know that almost no makes there own 3D engine any more, and most 3d engines are designed to run either API.nyran125 - Saturday, October 1, 2011 - link
theres been no reason for me to update AT ALL, NONE, Directx10 was not a good enough reason to go to vista. Theres only 1 reason id want to upgrade OS now and thats BF3. BUT THATS IT!!! Ive had no issues with the quality of Directx9 in todays games whatsoever, they look great on highest settings in Directx9 so i havent needed to upgrade till now. Till BF3. Even BF3 doesnt really look that much better than Crysis 2 in Directx9 on highest settings.So all the people stating that XP is dead and gone, you probably updated to that awful vista too and youll probably update to Windows 8 also even though its mainly catering to Tablets and touchscreens.
Also a lot of people dont like to upgrade OS because they use software and hardware on thier older OS's. Upgrading OS can sometimes be difficult to play older games also and you sometimes have to wait 6 months to a YEAR on a new OS.
Most thigns will play on 64bit WIN7 however after 6-12 months of patching. Not all of use see the point in upgrading to the latest thing out , if the latest thing isnt worth the trouble and the effort.