DXVK explained

DXVK
Developer:DXVK Project
Programming Language:C++
Operating System:OS Independent
Platform:x86, x86-64
License:zlib License

DXVK is an open-source translation layer which converts Direct3D 8/9/10/11 calls to Vulkan.[1] [2] [3] [4] It is used by Proton/Steam for Linux, by Intel Windows drivers,[5] [6] [7] VirtualBox 7.0,[8] and it can be used to run Direct3D-based games under Windows using Vulkan. DXVK has been confirmed to support over 80% of Direct3D Windows games "near flawlessly".[9] [10] [11]

History

DXVK was first developed by Philip Rebohle to support Direct3D 11 games only[12] as a result of poor compatibility and low performance of Wine's Direct3D 11 to OpenGL translation layer.

In 2018, the developer was sponsored by Valve to work on the project full-time in order to advance compatibility of the Linux version of Steam with Windows games.[13]

In 2019, DXVK received Direct3D 9 support by merging with d9vk.[14] [15]

In November 2022, version 2.0 was released, introducing improvements to Direct3D 9 memory management, shader compilation, state cache, as well as, support for Direct3D 11 feature level 12_1.[16] [17] Vulkan 1.3 support is now required.[18]

Released on January 24, 2023, version 2.1 implemented HDR support and improved quality for certain old games.[19]

Released on May 12, 2023, version 2.2 added D3D11On12[20] support.[21] [22] [23]

Released on July 10, 2024, version 2.4 added support for Direct3D 8.[24] [25]

Released on November 11, 2024, version 2.5 features an overhauled memory and resource management which resulted in VRAM savings up to 1GB in certain games. Direct3D 8 and 9 received support for software cursor.[26]

Controversies

The use of Wine/DXVK has been associated with users getting banned[27] [28] [29] [30] from online gaming platforms because game publishers have no way of verifying game integrity for people using Linux.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Staff . Ars . 2018-08-21 . Valve's "Steam Play" uses Vulkan to bring more Windows games to Linux . 2023-01-01 . Ars Technica . en-us.
  2. Web site: Conway . Adam . 2022-12-23 . How Proton on the Steam Deck works . 2023-01-01 . XDA Developers . en-US.
  3. Web site: Chapter 13. WINE . 2024-04-28 . FreeBSD Documentation Portal . en.
  4. Web site: Proven . Liam . WINE 8.0 and DXVK 2.1 released . 2024-05-31 . www.theregister.com . en.
  5. Web site: Intel using DXVK (part of Steam Proton) for their Windows Arc GPU DX 9 drivers . 2022-12-27 . GamingOnLinux . 7 December 2022 . en.
  6. Web site: Wilson . Jason R. . Wilson . Jason R. . 2022-11-01 . Intel Arc A750 Shows Boosted Performance In Older Gaming Titles Using Vulkan "DXVK" . 2023-01-01 . Wccftech . en-US.
  7. Web site: Aaron Klotz . 2022-12-08 . Intel Arc Driver Optimizations Leverage Valve's DXVK Translator . 2024-05-31 . Tom's Hardware . en.
  8. Web site: VirtualBox 7.0 is out with their DirectX 11 support using DXVK . 2022-12-27 . GamingOnLinux . 11 October 2022 . en.
  9. Web site: Aaron Klotz . 2021-12-21 . 80 Percent of Steam's Top 100 Games Run 'Nearly Flawlessly' on Linux . 2024-05-31 . Tom's Hardware . en.
  10. Web site: 2023-08-16 . It's Now Even Easier To Check How A Game Runs On Steam Deck . 2024-05-31 . Kotaku . en.
  11. Web site: Conway . Adam . 2022-12-06 . Need more games to play on your Steam Deck? Check out ProtonDB. . 2024-05-31 . XDA Developers . en.
  12. Web site: An interview with the developer of DXVK, part of what makes Valve's Steam Play tick . 2022-12-27 . GamingOnLinux . 11 September 2018 . en.
  13. Web site: Proven . Liam . 2023-02-03 . WINE 8.0 and DXVK 2.1 released . 2023-05-20 . The Register . en.
  14. Web site: D9VK Merged Into Upstream DXVK . 2024-05-31 . www.phoronix.com . en.
  15. Web site: D9VK is no more as it merges with DXVK, making DXVK a D3D 9/10/11 to Vulkan layer . 2022-12-27 . GamingOnLinux . 16 December 2019 . en.
  16. Web site: Meo . Francesco De . 2023-03-06 . Hogwarts Legacy Vulkan DXVK 2.1 ASYNC Mod Reduces Texture Loading Stutter . 2024-05-31 . Wccftech . en-US.
  17. Web site: Larabel . Michael . 2022-11-10 . DXVK 2.0 Released With Many Improvements For Direct3D Over Vulkan . 2023-05-20 . www.phoronix.com . en.
  18. Web site: Driver support . 2024-07-17 . GitHub . en.
  19. Web site: Release Version 2.1 · doitsujin/dxvk . 2023-10-21 . GitHub . en.
  20. Web site: stevewhims . 2021-12-30 . Direct3D 11 on 12 - Win32 apps . 2024-07-08 . learn.microsoft.com . en-us.
  21. Web site: DXVK 2.2 Released With D3D11On12 Support, Many Game Fixes . 2024-05-31 . www.phoronix.com . en.
  22. Web site: Wilson . Jason R. . 2023-05-13 . DXVK 2.2 Launches With D3D11On12 Support For Unity Engine, Game Fixes & More . 2024-05-31 . Wccftech . en-US.
  23. Web site: Release Version 2.2 · doitsujin/dxvk . 2023-10-21 . GitHub . en.
  24. Web site: Release Version 2.4 · doitsujin/dxvk . 2024-07-10 . GitHub . en.
  25. Web site: DXVK 2.4 Released With Direct3D 8 Support, Native WSI Improvements . 2024-07-21 . www.phoronix.com . en.
  26. Web site: DXVK 2.5 Brings Memory Management Rewrite & Other Improvements . 2024-11-11 . www.phoronix.com . en.
  27. Web site: Linux Gamers Banned in Battlefield V if Using Wine and DXVK . 2024-05-31 . BleepingComputer . en-us.
  28. Web site: Some Linux Gamers Using Wine/DXVK To Play Blizzard's Overwatch Banned - Updated . 2024-05-31 . www.phoronix.com . en.
  29. Web site: Caution: Playing 'Overwatch' On Linux May Get You Banned . 2024-05-31 . North America . en.
  30. Web site: 2018-09-14 . Some Linux Gamers Using Wine/DXVK To Play Blizzard's Overwatch Banned - Slashdot . 2024-05-31 . tech.slashdot.org . en.

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