Microsoft is joining the race in the realm of upscaling solutions with its upcoming Super Resolution technology. While different implementations of this technology currently exist in the industry, Microsoft's move could bring a more standardized approach, benefitting a wider user base.

Initially, Nvidia led the way in supersampling technology with the introduction of Deep-Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) in 2018. Although it started with limited game support and faced skepticism, DLSS has evolved significantly, focusing on maximizing performance by rendering at lower resolutions and then upscaling the output. In 2021, AMD launched its own Fidelity FX Super Resolution (FSR), which has made strides in achieving DLSS-like quality. Amidst these advancements, Microsoft is working towards simplification.

According to the official GDC 2024 schedule, Microsoft will host a session dedicated to DirectSR (Super Resolution) on March 21. The session aims to facilitate developers in adopting supersampling technologies more easily, thus increasing accessibility. Additionally, the focus will be on 'Work Graphs,' a new method to optimize GPU hardware usage and parallelize workloads.

Microsoft's DirectSR Showcase Details at GDC 2024

• Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
• Time: 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm (Pacific Time)

Notably, the session involves collaboration with both Nvidia and AMD GPU engineers, hinting at a standardized solution for supersampling technology. This collaborative effort suggests that game developers might only need to support DirectSR, leaving the underlying technology to handle supersampling based on the user's Nvidia or AMD GPU.

Given the ongoing debate in the gaming community regarding games favoring specific upscaling technologies, Microsoft's solution could be a game-changer. However, some skepticism remains among fans who believe an open-source approach would be more reliable in addressing this issue. It's worth mentioning that previous attempts, like Nvidia's Streamline Integration Framework, failed to unify industry giants. The success of Microsoft's endeavor remains to be seen.

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