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- Games like Marvel’s Rivals and Infinity Nikki have made DirectX12 a mandatory requirement.
- While some UE5 games, like Fortnite, support DX11, they run best with DX12 enabled.
- According to Steam’s January 2025 Hardware Survey, the RTX 3060 is the most popular GPU and the GTX 1650 is the 3rd most popular GPU, making DirectX11 still relevant in 2025.
We’ve all had issues with recent games and their PC requirements. Take Starfield, for example. If you’re on an older PC, you’ll have serious problems with that game. Similarly, the RTX 5090 still can’t hit 60 FPS in Marvel’s Spiderman 2 at 4K with max settings. As such, some games are released exclusively with DX12. So, should game developers be making DirectX12 a mandatory requirement? Why not make them DX11-optimized? Allow me to take you through a rollercoaster ride.
Some Games Are Making DX12 A Mandatory Requirement
This is where the issue arises. A few recent games, such as Marvel Rivals, have made DirectX12 a mandatory requirement. I wasn’t completely aware of the game’s specifications when I downloaded it some time ago (who looks at the DirectX requirements, right?). It was supposed to be a friend’s night out but ended up troubleshooting for one who was on older hardware.
For a game that doesn’t have out-of-the-world aesthetics, I can’t wrap my head around why it doesn’t support DirectX11. Even Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 supports DirectX11 (albeit with higher Shader Model requirements), showing games with higher graphical requirements can handle DirectX11. Of course, Marvel Rivals isn’t the only game to make it a mandatory requirement. We have Infinity Nikki and Frostpunk 2, for example, which also do not support DirectX11.
Unreal Engine 5 Works Best With DirectX12
The main culprit for DX12-exclusive games is Unreal Engine 5. While the engine supports DX11, many ray tracing options, such as Lumen, Nanite, and Virtual Shadow Maps, are exclusive to DX12 Ultimate. Hence, many games using UE5 will lean more towards the DX12 technology (which supports DX12 Ultimate) and may provide support for DX11.
Fortnite is the first game to utilize UE5’s engine, and because of this, the system requirements skyrocketed. Even if you stay on DX11 and opt not to use ray tracing features, the game will still lag with an older system. Nevertheless, if you don’t have a system that supports DX12 and provides decent performance, at least you can still play the game without some eye candy.
Not Everyone Has Modern PCs
As much as it hurts the other person, not everyone is using a modern PC with a decent graphics card. According to Steam’s Hardware Survey for January 2025, the GTX 1650 is the 3rd most popular choice amongst gamers. The RTX 3060 is on top. As someone who’s using the latter, I’m beginning to face slight stutters in a few AAA-titled games.
So, just think how it must be for those using the GTX 1650. Now, I’m not saying the GTX 1650 is a bad GPU; it just can’t keep up with the system requirements of newer games. Considering, that thousands, if not millions, of gamers, are still using older graphics cards, perhaps game developers should keep DX11 as a side condiment to preserve player count.
I’d rather have fewer games being released yearly, but they are well-optimized, with support for older systems. On the other hand, I also understand technological advancements are quicker than ever, so it only makes sense to keep up with the most demanding hardware. But in places where you can still fit compatibility for older hardware, why not go ahead with it?
Is DirectX12 The Future? Maybe, But Not For Everyone
In the end, DirectX12 is the future of gaming. There wasn’t any doubt from the start this would happen. However, this future is not for everyone to enjoy… At least not for now. Looking at the recent GPU price hikes and artificial shortages, there’s no telling when everything will be normalized again.
I recommend new games have support for DirectX11 to support older GPUs so that game developers can leverage from better player count, rather than leaving the less fortunate behind. Game optimization has almost vanished in recent games and it’s about time we changed that.
At times I like to quote the situation with Control. Upon release the game supported DirectX11 but it was later removed. When the player base showed discontent, the game developers had to bring back DX11 support for the game. So, my take is, that game developers should not be making DirectX12 a mandatory requirement in games.
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[Comparisons Expert]
Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.
Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.
As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.
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