According to Valve, only 2% of steam users have computers capable of running DirectX 10 Games.
To Run DirectX 10 games, users must have both Windows Vista and a DirectX 10-capable Graphics card installed. We can speculate that hardcore gamers -graphics cards early adopters- prefer Windows XP to Windows vista which is still resource intensive. On the other hand, we can argue, most Windows Vista owners are mainstream brand pc buyers who'd settle for an onboard graphics chip or a low end graphics card such GeForce 7300 GS.
In an interview with heise online, Gabe Newell, president of Valve Software, said that Microsoft's decision to have DirectX 10 exclusive for Vista is a "terrible Mistake" which has affected the whole industry.
Gabe Newel then added that Xbox 360 and Playstation 3's lack of DirectX 10 support further narrowed DirectX 10 user base; and that's the reason why developers are reluctant to develop DirectX 10 games. When developing cross-platform games developers look for the smallest common denominator, he explained.
Newel revealed Half Life 2: Episode 2 will use DirectX 10 features only for accelerating some mimics and that it would be impossible to differentiate between DX10 and DX9 versions visually. The source engine was expanded for Episode 2. New features include a special alpha blend mode which generates smoother anti-aliasing edges, new distortion effects and soft shadows. The Orange Box console versions will also apply the new engine features, including high dynamic range rendering and multi core support, to the main game. Half-Life 2 runs at a resolution of 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
Gabe Newel also blamed DirectX's clumsy support for new and uncommon input devices, and claimed that this is the main reason why developers "didn't dare to implement such expensive innovations" like the WiiMote or the Guitar Hero guitar.
The Half-Life 2 Orange Box will be released for PC and Xbox 360 on 12 October 2007. The PS3 edition is being developed by an EA studio and is scheduled for release two to three weeks later.
