Microsoft DirectSR super resolution API will enable devs to easily implement DLSS, FSR, XeSS and other features

Microsoft has recently shared more details on their upcoming game developer API, DirectSR. Contrary to initial claims, this is not a new super-resolution technology but a tool that will allow for seamless integration of current super-resolution technologies, like DLSS, FSR and XeSS, as well as any future versions. 

The most prevalent upscaling solution on the market is Nvidia DLSS, which is proprietary and hardware-locked to GeForce RTX GPUs. Then there's the AMD FSR, which is open-source, and Intel XeSS, which was never published as open-source, despite Intel's claims. Unreal Engine's TSR is another alternative, albeit not as widely adopted. All these must be implemented one at a time if a game developer wants its game to support a specific SR technology. However, DirectSR may change that soon.

To make temporal upscaling easier to implement in games, DirectSR enables multi-vendor super-resolution through a standard set of inputs and outputs, allowing a single code path to activate all the super-resolution technologies the developer chooses. That would allow developers to make their games support Nvidia DLSS Super Resolution, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution and Intel XeSS. Microsoft didn't mention Unreal Engine's TSR, but that may change later.

Nvidia had previously attempted to simplify temporal upscaling with its Streamline framework, but it made little impact as such technologies were closely integrated with each game developer. Developed with the help of key GPU suppliers such as Nvidia and AMD, DirectSR will be demonstrated by these companies in March at GDC 2024. As for its availability, DirectSR will be available soon in the Agility SDK as a public preview.

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KitGuru says: Do you think it will become more common for a single game to support multiple SR technologies after this?

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