What do we know about the rumored DX11 engine?

[Nutz]

All I've heard points to improving overall performance. It was stated that texture resolution won't change. Probably won't see visual changes, but the performance should increase for some.

They've said that they hope to make substantial lighting changes, which could drastically alter the look of the game.

[Shirai]

They've said that they hope to make substantial lighting changes, which could drastically alter the look of the game.

Seeing is believing, as it stands now the biggest change we will see with a DX11 client is likely a performance boost.

But for now, only one thing is 100% certain:

it isn't coming out anytime soon.

[Waliel]

Last thing I remember hearing about it is that they would continue working on it after PS4 release.

[kukurumei]

Seeing is believing, as it stands now the biggest change we will see with a DX11 client is likely a performance boost.

But for now, only one thing is 100% certain:

Maybe, Maybe not. DX11 does mean that DX11 cards can use all they were advertised for (both good and bad depending on your card)

But realistically it should be worse performance at the gain of better visual fidelity. There are certain things they would most likely use with DX11, that makes certain elements of the game more lifelike but will get a hit on power.
Obvious way is how things showing in the background are programed.

[Quiz]

The main thing we know is that it isn't coming out anytime soon.

Pretty much this. Yoshi-P said recently that they're focusing on PS4 release (which has passed now), launching in china during the summer and then after that, they'll be back with DX11 into their main plans.

edit:

Found the interview in the other DX11 thread.

Yoshida: With respect to the Windows DirectX version of the game, of course we have made some preparations for a DirectX version. We’ve been developing the PlayStation 4 version which runs on 64 bit hardware and because of that work, the Windows 64 bit version is done. However, this coming summer we plan to release the game in China and after that we have plans for an expansion pack so when we finish those, we will be looking to complete the DirectX milestone. With that in mind, after we successfully launch A Realm Reborn in China and begin work on the expansion pack – I believe that around that time that we may be able to speak more about the DirectX 11 client for Windows. But don’t worry! We are definitely making progress on that project. (laughs)

As far as what to expect from the DirectX 11 client, it is my policy that we don’t do anything to change the gameplay experience from one platform to another. While DirectX 11 will provide a graphical advantage for some players on newer hardware, there really are no changes in gameplay for someone with older hardware vs newer hardware. However, in terms of graphics there may be a large jump in graphics quality – the whole engine and the rendering pipeline is completely different. The way shaders work, the way polygons are rendered, water effects, mirroring affects, or objects getting wet – they all work a bit differently on the new version for DirectX and will be updated for the DirectX 11 client. So for players who are more discerning of graphic quality – they will most likely notice. But it will not change the gameplay at all, and I’d like to make it so that it is simply another option you can select.

With that in mind, after we successfully launch A Realm Reborn in China and begin work on the expansion pack – I believe that around that time that we may be able to speak more about the DirectX 11 client for Windows.

[Streetwind]

Many thanks for finding that quote, Quiz! That's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to see when I made this thread