Microsoft announced that it is making its DirectStorage API available to game developers to utilize the speed of the latest storage devices. The DirectStorage API has optimized SSD NVMe accesses. It means that the loading time would be faster.
Microsoft said that this public SDK release begins a new era of fast load times and detailed worlds in PC games by allowing developers to more utilize the speed of the latest storage devices.
DirectStorage is a Microsoft low-level storage API for games that allows for super-fast, near-instant loading times for your games. If you’ve even been stuck in a loading screen during a game, DirectStorage will solve the problem.
“In September 2020, we announced DirectStorage would be coming to Windows, and after collecting feedback throughout our developer preview, we are making this API available to all of our partners to ship with their games,” Microsoft said in a blogpost.
Microsoft said it will be presenting an introduction to DirectStorage at GDC — along with some tips and tricks to get started — on March 22. Check out the announcement blog for an in-depth exploration of the inspiration for DirectStorage and how it will benefit Windows games.
“If you want to get your PC ready to take advantage of DirectStorage games, we have a few suggestions. DirectStorage is compatible with Windows 10 devices, but Windows 11 has the latest storage optimizations built in and is our recommended path for gaming,” Microsoft said.
Installing games to an NVMe SSD will maximize your IO performance and help experience the benefits of DirectStorage, Microsoft said.
