DirectX 12 is a graphics API that provides high-performance, low-level access to graphics hardware. It has been designed to optimize the performance of graphics processing units (GPUs) in modern games. NetEase, one of the world’s largest video game companies, has adopted DirectX 12 in several of its popular games. This article will explore the performance benefits and challenges of using DirectX 12 in NetEase games.

Performance Benefits

DirectX 12 offers several performance benefits over previous versions of DirectX:

Reduced CPU Overhead: DirectX 12 introduces a new multi-threading model that allows games to distribute rendering tasks across multiple CPU cores. This reduces the load on the CPU, freeing up resources for other tasks.
Improved GPU Utilization: DirectX 12 provides more direct access to GPU hardware, enabling games to make better use of the available resources. This can result in higher frame rates and improved visual quality.
Reduced Input Latency: DirectX 12 includes optimizations that reduce the latency between user input and the visual response on the screen. This can make games feel more responsive and immersive.

Challenges

While DirectX 12 offers significant performance benefits, there are also some challenges associated with its use:

Increased Development Complexity: DirectX 12 is a more complex API than previous versions, which can increase the development time and cost of games.
Platform Compatibility: DirectX 12 is only available on Windows 10 and later operating systems. This can limit the reach of games that use DirectX 12.
Hardware Requirements: DirectX 12 requires modern GPUs that support the necessary feature set. This can make it difficult to develop games that run well on older hardware.

NetEase Games with DirectX 12 Support

NetEase has implemented DirectX 12 support in several of its popular games, including:

Game	DirectX 12 Support	Release Date
Diablo Immortal	Yes	2022
Naraka: Bladepoint	Yes	2021
EVE Echoes	Yes	2020
Identity V	Yes	2018

Case Studies

Diablo Immortal

Diablo Immortal is a massively multiplayer online action role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by NetEase and Blizzard Entertainment. The game was released in 2022 with support for DirectX 12. According to NetEase, DirectX 12 improved the game’s performance by up to 30% on high-end GPUs.

Naraka: Bladepoint

Naraka: Bladepoint is a battle royale game developed by NetEase. The game was released in 2021 with support for DirectX 12. NetEase reported that DirectX 12 significantly reduced the game’s CPU overhead, resulting in improved frame rates and reduced input latency.

Conclusion

DirectX 12 offers significant performance benefits for games, but it also comes with some challenges. NetEase has successfully implemented DirectX 12 support in several of its popular games, resulting in improved performance and enhanced gaming experiences. As DirectX 12 continues to mature and hardware support expands, it is expected to become even more widely used in the gaming industry.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is DirectX 12?
A: DirectX 12 is a graphics API that provides high-performance, low-level access to graphics hardware.

Q: What are the benefits of DirectX 12?
A: DirectX 12 offers reduced CPU overhead, improved GPU utilization, and reduced input latency.

Q: What are the challenges of using DirectX 12?
A: DirectX 12 is a more complex API, requires modern GPUs, and has limited platform compatibility.

Q: Which NetEase games support DirectX 12?
A: NetEase games with DirectX 12 support include Diablo Immortal, Naraka: Bladepoint, EVE Echoes, and Identity V.

NetEase Games Utilizing DirectX 12

NetEase, a leading Chinese video game developer and publisher, has embraced DirectX 12 in several of its popular games. This advanced graphics technology enables enhanced visual effects, improved performance, and reduced latency.

Notable NetEase games that utilize DirectX 12 include:

Naraka: Bladepoint: A fast-paced multiplayer action game that showcases stunning visuals and fluid combat.
Infinity Nikki: A mobile RPG with a wide variety of customization options and visually appealing environments.
AstraCraft: A futuristic spaceship building game that offers stunning planetary environments and realistic reflections.
Code: To Jin Yong: A martial arts MMORPG that brings the classic wuxia novels to life with immersive graphics and smooth gameplay.

By leveraging DirectX 12, these NetEase games deliver immersive experiences that push the boundaries of visual fidelity and performance.

Games Developed by NetEase with DirectX 12

NetEase, a leading Chinese technology company, has developed several visually stunning and technologically advanced games utilizing Microsoft’s DirectX 12 API. Among these include:

Naraka: Bladepoint: A competitive multiplayer action game featuring fast-paced combat and stunning visuals.
Lost Light: A tactical shooter game with realistic graphics and immersive gameplay.
Code: To Jin Yong: An open-world action RPG based on the classic martial arts novels by Jin Yong, showcasing vibrant environments and dynamic combat.
Praey for the Gods: A third-person adventure game with awe-inspiring environments and colossal enemies.
Across the Obelisk: A roguelike deckbuilding game with procedurally generated levels and visually appealing art style.

These games leverage DirectX 12 to deliver cutting-edge graphics, enhanced performance, and smoother gameplay experiences.

Optimizing Games for DirectX 12 on NetEase Platform

NetEase Platform provides exclusive tools and techniques to optimize games developed with DirectX 12 on their platform. These optimizations enhance performance, reduce latency, and provide developers with better control over their games.

Features:

Dynamic Shader Optimization (DSO):

Optimizes shaders at runtime based on hardware capabilities, reducing shader compilation time and improving performance.

Low-Level API Access:

Direct access to the underlying hardware through NetEase’s Low-Level API, allowing developers to customize graphics pipelines and gain finer control.

Multi-GPU Support:

Supports parallel processing across multiple GPUs, increasing rendering performance and reducing latency.

Async Command Buffer:

Enables asynchronous submission of graphics commands, freeing up the CPU for other tasks and reducing latency.

Performance Profiling:

Provides detailed performance profiling tools to identify bottlenecks and optimize game code.

Benefits:

Improved performance and reduced latency
Enhanced control over graphics pipelines
Reduced shader compilation time
Increased stability and reliability
Support for multi-GPU systems

NetEase Games Enhance Graphics with DirectX 12

NetEase Games has announced improvements to its graphics engine by implementing Microsoft’s DirectX 12 technology. This upgrade promises enhanced visual quality, improved performance, and access to next-generation graphics features for its popular games.

By leveraging DirectX 12’s low-level API, NetEase developers can have more direct control over hardware resources, resulting in more efficient rendering processes and reduced CPU overhead. This allows for complex graphics effects, high-resolution textures, and real-time ray tracing, creating more immersive and visually stunning gameplay experiences.

Furthermore, DirectX 12’s multi-threading capabilities enable NetEase games to utilize multiple CPU cores simultaneously. This optimization distributes processing tasks more effectively, leading to smoother frame rates and reduced input latency, ensuring a more responsive gaming experience.

DirectX 12 API Integration in NetEase Games

NetEase Games integrated the DirectX 12 (DX12) API into their games to enhance graphics performance. DX12 is a low-level API that provides access to the underlying hardware, allowing for greater control over graphical tasks.

By utilizing DX12, NetEase was able to improve graphics rendering efficiency, reduce CPU overhead, and enable advanced features such as ray tracing and variable rate shading. These enhancements resulted in smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and improved visual fidelity.

The integration of DX12 also allowed NetEase to leverage the capabilities of modern graphics cards from both NVIDIA and AMD, maximizing hardware utilization and optimizing performance across a wide range of devices.

NetEase Games with Ray Tracing Support through DirectX 12

NetEase Games has announced that it will implement ray tracing technology in its games using DirectX 12. This allows them to create realistic lighting effects and reflections. The first game to feature this is Naraka: Bladepoint, which will receive a ray tracing update in Q4 of 2022. Other games that will receive ray tracing support include Lost Light, Justice, and Badlanders. This move will allow NetEase to provide its players with a more immersive and visually stunning gaming experience.

Performance Analysis of DirectX 12 in NetEase Games

NetEase Games, a leading game developer, conducted a performance analysis of DirectX 12 (DX12) in their game engines. This analysis aimed to evaluate the performance improvements and challenges of transitioning to DX12.

Methodology

The team integrated DX12 into their existing game engines and conducted extensive testing. They measured performance metrics such as frame rate, GPU utilization, and memory usage.

Results

DX12 yielded significant performance enhancements:

Up to 30% increase in frame rate
Improved GPU utilization by up to 20%
Reduced memory usage by up to 15%

Challenges

While DX12 offered performance benefits, it also presented several challenges:

Increased development complexity due to its low-level nature
Graphics API overhead from managing multiple threads
Limited support for older hardware

Conclusions

NetEase Games concluded that DX12 can significantly improve the performance of their games. However, it requires careful optimization and balancing to overcome its challenges. The transition to DX12 offers a path to enhanced gaming experiences and the potential to unlock further performance improvements in the future.

Benchmarking NetEase Games with DirectX 12

NetEase Games, a leading Chinese video game developer, has implemented DirectX 12 into its games to enhance graphics and performance. Benchmarking results show that DirectX 12 delivers significant improvements compared to its predecessor, DirectX 11.

Enhanced Graphics: DirectX 12 utilizes advanced graphics techniques such as ray tracing and tessellation, resulting in more realistic and detailed visuals.
Improved Performance: By reducing overhead and optimizing hardware utilization, DirectX 12 boosts frame rates and reduces latency, leading to a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
Increased Scalability: DirectX 12 allows games to scale better across different hardware configurations, ensuring optimal performance regardless of a user’s system specifications.

Benchmarking results from various NetEase games, including "Fantasy Westward Journey III Mobile" and "Knives Out," demonstrate the benefits of DirectX 12. The games exhibit significant increases in frame rates, reductions in latency, and overall improved graphics quality.

User Experience of DirectX 12 in NetEase Games

NetEase Games has implemented DirectX 12 (DX12) in several of its games, resulting in significant improvements in user experience.

Enhanced Visuals: DX12’s advanced graphics capabilities enable higher-quality graphics, including better textures, lighting, and particle effects.
Smoother Gameplay: By optimizing the graphics pipeline, DX12 reduces latency and improves frame rates, resulting in a more responsive and immersive gameplay experience.
Reduced System Load: DX12 utilizes multi-threading and asynchronous computing, distributing tasks across multiple CPU cores and freeing up system resources for other applications.
Enhanced Stability: DX12’s improved memory management and error handling mechanisms enhance overall game stability, reducing crashes and other technical issues.
Future-Proofing: Adopting DX12 prepares NetEase Games for the future of graphics technology, ensuring that its titles remain visually impressive and optimized as hardware continues to evolve.

DirectX 12 Compatibility with NetEase Games

DirectX 12 is a graphics API that offers significant performance improvements over previous DirectX versions. However, not all games are compatible with DirectX 12.

NetEase Games and DirectX 12 Compatibility

Currently, only certain NetEase games support DirectX 12. These games include:

Knives Out
Identity V
Naraka: Bladepoint

To check the DirectX compatibility of a specific NetEase game, check the game’s official website or consult reliable online sources.

Benefits of DirectX 12 Compatibility

For compatible NetEase games, DirectX 12 offers the following benefits:

Improved Performance: Reduced lag, increased frame rates, and smoother gameplay.
Enhanced Visuals: More realistic lighting, textures, and special effects.
Lower CPU Usage: Allows the CPU to focus on game logic and other tasks.

Enabling DirectX 12

To enable DirectX 12 for compatible NetEase games:

Ensure you have the latest version of DirectX installed.
Open the game’s settings menu.
Locate the "Graphics" or "Advanced Graphics" options.
Find the "DirectX Version" setting and select "DirectX 12."
Save your changes and restart the game.

Note: Enabling DirectX 12 may require a compatible graphics card. If your card does not support DirectX 12, you will not be able to use it with NetEase games.

Troubleshooting DirectX 12 Issues in NetEase Games

DirectX 12 can sometimes cause issues in NetEase games. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check your graphics card: Make sure your graphics card supports DirectX 12.
Update your graphics drivers: Download the latest drivers for your graphics card.
Disable other graphics applications: Close any other applications that are using your graphics card.
Run the game in windowed mode: This can help to reduce the load on your graphics card.
Enable VSync: This can help to reduce screen tearing.
Disable DirectX 12: If all else fails, you can disable DirectX 12 in the game’s settings.

Latest NetEase Games that Support DirectX 12

NetEase has recently announced support for DirectX 12 in their latest games, including:

Naraka: Bladepoint: A multiplayer action game that features fast-paced combat and a unique grappling hook mechanic.
Project Ragnarök: An open-world action RPG with a Norse mythology setting and stunning graphics.
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened: A mobile MMORPG based on the popular Harry Potter franchise.

With DirectX 12, these games benefit from improved performance, reduced latency, and enhanced visual effects. Players can expect smoother gameplay, more responsive controls, and a more immersive experience overall.

DirectX 12 Features Impact on NetEase Games Development

DirectX 12 has provided significant benefits for NetEase Games development, enhancing graphical capabilities and performance. Key features include:

Lower CPU Overhead: Reduced CPU utilization allows developers to focus on game logic and gameplay, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
Multi-Threading Support: Improved parallelization enables better use of multiple CPU cores, optimizing performance and reducing latency.
Asynchronous Shading: Offloading certain shader operations from the CPU to the GPU improves performance and reduces input lag.
Conservative Rasterization: Enhanced rendering technique minimizes pixel overdraw, reducing GPU workload and improving performance.
Variable Rate Shading: Allows developers to customize shading rates for different areas of the scene, optimizing performance without sacrificing visual quality.

NetEase Games That Benefit from DirectX 12 Implementation

NetEase has adopted the Microsoft DirectX 12 (DX12) graphics API to enhance the graphical performance and stability of its games. Several NetEase titles have seen significant improvements with DX12 implementation:

Naraka: Bladepoint: Boosted frame rates and reduced input latency, resulting in smoother gameplay and improved combat responsiveness.
Lost Light: Enhanced lighting and shadows, as well as improved textures, creating a more immersive and visually stunning experience.
Identity V: Reduced CPU overhead and improved frame stability, ensuring a smoother gaming experience even during intense multiplayer matches.
Eternal Tides: Unlocked new graphical features such as ray tracing, providing a heightened level of graphical fidelity and realism.
倩女幽魂 (Painted Journey): Improved rendering speed and reduced load times, providing a more seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

DirectX 12 Adoption in NetEase’s Upcoming Games

NetEase, a leading Chinese video game company, has announced the adoption of Microsoft’s DirectX 12 graphics API for its upcoming titles. DirectX 12 enables developers to access more hardware resources, resulting in improved visual fidelity and performance.

NetEase plans to implement DirectX 12 in its next-gen MMORPG, "Project Ragnarök," and other unannounced titles. By leveraging DirectX 12’s low-level access to the graphics card, NetEase can optimize rendering for higher frame rates, reduced latency, and enhanced graphical effects.

This adoption marks NetEase’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences to its global audience. DirectX 12 will allow NetEase to create visually stunning and immersive worlds that push the boundaries of graphics technology.

Community Discussion on DirectX 12 in NetEase Games

During a community livestream, NetEase Games representatives addressed rumors and speculation surrounding the company’s implementation of DirectX 12 in its upcoming titles. Highlights of the discussion include:

Hybrid Approach: NetEase confirmed that they will use a hybrid approach, combining DX12 for graphics rendering with DX11 for other game components.
Performance Enhancements: DX12 will bring significant performance improvements, especially in high-end gaming scenarios.
Gradual Implementation: NetEase clarified that DX12 will be gradually introduced into their games, starting with PC-exclusive titles.
Optimization for Mobile Devices: The company is also exploring ways to optimize DX12 for mobile gaming devices.
Community Feedback: NetEase encouraged community members to provide feedback and suggestions during the implementation process.