Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 11, 2018. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Microsoft is pushing ahead in raytracing with DirectX Raytracing (DXR), the extension to DirectX 12. This incorporates raytracing into the graphics API.
DXR is supported by both Unreal and Unity, thereby enabling more realistic realtime graphics on DX12-compliant platforms. In other words, currently Windows 10 and Xbox One.
Furthermore, two major game developers have already released demos in whose in-house engines DXR is integrated: Remedy Entertainment’s Northlight and EA’s experimental Halcyon Engine.
What DXR does not currently include is a new GPU engine. At the moment, it is designed for graphics and computer engines built for DX12, meaning it is supported by any common DX12 hardware – but only if enough computing power is available.
Because even if DXR is intended to reduce the suffering of realtime applications such as games with regard to raytracing, a certain level of hardware performance is still required to truly enjoy the DirectX 12 addition.
