Microsoft offered several pre-release builds of Windows 7 before the official release. Software development firms from various quarters, including game firms, have been building new applications on top of the new OS. Certainly the new Windows 7 comea across as a sleeker and faster upgrade from Vista, but game developers are wary still hoping to prevent the same issues with Windows 7.
Only a handful of game developers declared they would fully back Windows 7 even as Microsoft assured that the games augmented on Vista will run on the new OS. In addition to this, a lot of older games on Windows XP will also be operational on Windows 7 from an XP emulation feature.
When the new Windows 7 was launched in Singapore, the software gaints’ executives along with a reknown game developer demonstrated how games could be made operational on Windows 7. Further, the Microsoft Asia Pacific Support Group Head Howard Lo emphasized the need that if a game runs on Windows Vista, it should also be compatible on Windows 7.
He also added that much of the graphics card manufacturers have partnered with Microsoft to come up with compatible drivers. As a matter of fact, Windows 7 already have in possession a lot of the necessary drivers for graphics cards, and hence, there would be little need to update drivers.
However, gamers are not ready to take chances so manufacturers also had to make sure that they are ready. A quick look of the websites of Nvidia and it’s rival graphics card maker ATI gave the impression that they already possess both the 32-bit and 64-bit drivers for the new Windows 7, largely making sure that all the gamers do not have operating system compatibility problems. Microsoft made sure that it is partnered in close heels with all user segments, which includes game developers with a view in mind that when Windows 7 came into being, gamers can start playing. Windows 7 already has DirectX 11, the most recent application programming interface (API) for it’s third-party developed multimedia applications.
With the compatibility issues rolling in, Microsoft is putting fresh efforts to make Windows 7 a decent gaming platform. Keeping the motion-sensitive features in Nintendo Wii and the forthcoming Xbox 360 Project Natal, Microsoft is having a good look at the multi-touch capabilities of Windows 7 to make this feature big and cash in deep on it. It is noteworthy that a game developer has indicated how multi-touch gaming can be done. Singapore-based startup game developer Touch Dimensions showcased their game entitled Autumn Dynasty, which is a strategic game which needs players to simply touch the screen and do away with the task of using a mouse and keyboard.
Also, the game tends to understand other objects that touch the screen. For instance here, a Chinese calligraphy brush is used like a mouse in choosing troops and directing their directions of attack. The need for the player’s hand is deployed only when trying to shift the map to a different location, or in expanding or contracting the size of the map.
It is quite obvious that it will give a new experience for PC gamers.