Microsoft's big PC plans

NewsFactory · Mar 11, 2003, 06:22 AM

Just spotted this @ Gamespot.com.

DirectX 9 will be the last DX release for a while, as Microsoft focuses resources on making bigger improvements for PC gaming in Longhorn, including introducing a standard controller.

At GDC, we had a chance to sit down with Dean Lester, the head of Microsoft's Windows Graphics and Gaming division, to hear about the software giant's major new project to make the PC a better gaming platform. Lester acknowledged that two or three years of the company's attention was focused on launching the Xbox, but he said that now it's the PC's turn. The PC gaming initiative has support from "Bill and Ballmer" on down, and it's enough of a priority that there are some 200 people working on it. Basically, Microsoft will make improving the PC gaming experience one of the central appeals of Longhorn, the next major version of Windows that's expected in about two years.

amuro · Mar 11, 2003, 07:27 AM

I am so glad Microsoft did this.

It will simply allow other videocard makers like Matrox and 3d Labs and others the time needed to develop a competetive graphics card to counter the bypartisanship of ATI and Nvidia.

It will also allow vid card makers to concentrate on bug free working graphics drivers.

I will also allow many and any game developer the time to learn and develop their games with better precision and will probably allow PC games to grow once again as most people are able to buy Direct X 9 graphics cards untill the next Dx release.

And finally it will allow Microsoft the time and development resources necessary to make Longhorn a better Operating System than Win XP.

Mar 11, 2003, 06:22 AM	#1
NewsFactory News Guru Join Date: May 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 0	Microsoft's big PC plans Just spotted this @ Gamespot.com. DirectX 9 will be the last DX release for a while, as Microsoft focuses resources on making bigger improvements for PC gaming in Longhorn, including introducing a standard controller. At GDC, we had a chance to sit down with Dean Lester, the head of Microsoft's Windows Graphics and Gaming division, to hear about the software giant's major new project to make the PC a better gaming platform. Lester acknowledged that two or three years of the company's attention was focused on launching the Xbox, but he said that now it's the PC's turn. The PC gaming initiative has support from "Bill and Ballmer" on down, and it's enough of a priority that there are some 200 people working on it. Basically, Microsoft will make improving the PC gaming experience one of the central appeals of Longhorn, the next major version of Windows that's expected in about two years.

Mar 11, 2003, 07:27 AM	#2
amuro DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 147 Rep Power: 0	I am so glad Microsoft did this. It will simply allow other videocard makers like Matrox and 3d Labs and others the time needed to develop a competetive graphics card to counter the bypartisanship of ATI and Nvidia. It will also allow vid card makers to concentrate on bug free working graphics drivers. I will also allow many and any game developer the time to learn and develop their games with better precision and will probably allow PC games to grow once again as most people are able to buy Direct X 9 graphics cards untill the next Dx release. And finally it will allow Microsoft the time and development resources necessary to make Longhorn a better Operating System than Win XP.