Crytek Adopts AMD's Mantle API for CRYENGINE
But can it play Crysis? Oh yes it can.
AMD announced on Wednesday that Crytek is adding native Mantle graphics API support to the developer's latest gaming engine, CRYENGINE. Crytek now joins a number of other developers and publishers using this "closer to the metal" API including Electronic Arts (Battlefield 4), Square Enix (THIEF), Roberts Space Industries (Star Citizen), Oxide (Nitros engine) and Rebellion Developments (Sniper Elite 3).
"AMD is delighted to bring Mantle support to the enormous audience of gamers and game developers reached by Crytek's CRYENGINE," said Ritche Corpus, director of ISV gaming and alliances, AMD. "Together, AMD and Crytek are forging a path for the graphics industry that better utilizes gamers' advanced AMD GPUs through 'closer-to-the-metal' API design."
For the uninitiated, Mantle is the "harmony" of three essential ingredients: a thin driver within the AMD Catalyst software suite that lets applications speak directly to AMD's Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture; a GPU or APU based on the GCN; and an application or game engine that is written to utilize the Mantle SDK.
"Mantle reduces the CPU's workload by giving developers a way to talk to the GPU directly with much less translation," the company's website explains. "With less work for the CPU to do, programmers can squeeze much more performance from a system, delivering the greatest benefits in gaming systems where the CPU can be the bottleneck."
With the CPU freed up, developers may be able to squeeze extra performance from mid-range and older CPUs; they no longer have the same "handicap." That's good news for gamers on a strict budget.
"Crytek prides itself on enabling CRYENGINE with the latest and most impressive rendering capabilities," said Cevat Yerli, Founder, CEO & President of Crytek. "By integrating AMD's new Mantle API, CRYENGINE will gain a dimension of 'lower level' hardware access that enables extraordinary efficiency, performance and hardware control."
For more information about Mantle, check out AMD's "Four Core Principles of AMD's Mantle" article here.
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Ahhhh you forget the folly of Crysis 2 that came out and had worse graphics than Crysis 1. Had half the size textures of Crysis 1 as well. That is until PC gamers made a huge stink and they released a HD texture pack and some other stuff.
Even Crytek can fall to the temptation of console monies.
Except that now we know DX12 and the next OGL is going to integrate the same low level access to them so which API do you think will win out? The one with the history and can easily be ported between console (XB1) and PC or the one that is PC exclusive and is newer meaning learning curve?
In the end DX will win out again.
I don't think Mantle will go anywhere and I currently have a HD7970 with plans to upgrade to a R9 290X, or I might just wait till the R9 390 series comes out.
Then again I look at history. DirectX will win out, it always has. Even OGL hasn't taken it down nor will it till it gets the constant support that DirectX does.
As well if the XB1 does well enough, and it will, it will also boost DirectX because the XB1 uses DX11.X and as well has a Windows 8 kernel. It will make porting to PC so much easier and they will also have better graphics options available to start.
The biggest issue with Gsync is that you need a new, expensive monitor. Love the idea, but i hope DX12 adds more.
The biggest issue with Gsync is that you need a new, expensive monitor. Love the idea, but i hope DX12 adds more.
That's true - however, I'm hoping that with higher resolutions finally starting to fall to the point where they might be considered, more people will begin to be interested in upgrading their monitor when they upgrade their computer.
I know that I'm most certainly going to be buying an ASUS Swift 1440p, 120Hz, G-sync monitor when I upgrade to a dual-maxwell 890.
You're right though, it's going to be slow on the adoption. I'm just hoping it's going to be slow and steady.
IGN http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/03/20/gdc-microsoft-reveals-directx-12-xbox-one-improvements
No talk of actual improvements or facts or figures yet. Just promise for better multi-core support and lower level access. Like the fact it says it will be supported by 40% of existing GPUs. Hopefully my R9 290 is one of them Gonna be pissed if it isn't
Too much talk of mobile for my liking. lol