Microsoft has just announced DirectSR, a new application programming interface (API) designed in partnership with major GPU manufacturers that will allow game developers to enable “seamless integration of Super Resolution into a new generation of PC games.”
Programmer Joshue Tucker notes in the official blog post that “DirectSR is the missing link developers have been waiting for when approaching SR integration, providing a smoother, more efficient experience that scales across hardware.” Super Resolution is a technique that increases the resolution and visual quality of games by using machine learning and AI to upscale images, reducing the burden on graphics cards which might struggle at higher resolutions like 4K.
The API will enable “multi-vendor SR” through “a common set of inputs and outputs allowing a single code path to activate a variety of solutions including Nvidia DLSS Super Resolution, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution, and Intel XeSS.” If you’re unfamiliar with any of these technologies, they’re essential tools made by the big three GPU makers that use AI to enhance in-game resolution by creating new frames (or generating additional pixels) that improve the overall image quality with minimal impact on performance.
