Suggestion: Vulkan API

[BiriKomori]

I would like to suggest implimenting Vulkan API calls for FFXIV.

I've heard that the porting isn't so bad from DirectX to Vulkan and in doing so would allow the game to run on all OS (Mac, Linux, etc) with the same quality/speed (if not more so) than DX12.

I don't really know what Engine is used for development, I'm assuming it's a pure in house based IDE/engine that nobody outside of SE has used or has access to.

So perhaps a modification to that engine could allow for a port using Vulkan API calls to be instantiated (similar to how DX9 & DX12 builds are generated) during build and compile time -- then that would be huge. It would allow the game to run in native, high quality on whichever OS, for whatever video card AMD, Nvidia, etc.

I understand that there's a LOT of behind the scenes, so I understand if this just isn't feasible, if politics or even just tight schedules interfer.

Just suggesting in case it hasn't been considered yet.

Thanks,
- Biri Dreisan

[MiniTofu]

Bump: https://youtu.be/TBe1AVFmKEo?t=50s

This just in. Look how Vulkan API pulls ahead.

Vulkan works in PS4, X1, PC, MAC and Linux. vs DX only works in Windows and other platform are natively support it (emulated).

Info: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2016/0...-graphics-api/

[Kaethra]

What would be the point exactly? FFXIV is already pretty damn optimized as it is. It runs on max settings even on some slightly older machines as long as they aren't potatoes.

In other games that were newer and more intensive, or having issues in DirectX I'd agree. But this seems like "Lets do this for reasons. Vulkan is new." FFXIV already runs on MacOSX and PS4. Hell it runs on PS3, though not for long (and Vulkan won't help it stay on PS3). The only benefit would be a Linux use. But everyone running Linux already has Windows or PS4 to game on (just a sad fact of being a Linux user).

[Archpoet]

Sounds like the reason is the API (based on post title.)

[Malzian]

What would be the point exactly? FFXIV is already pretty damn optimized as it is. It runs on max settings even on some slightly older machines as long as they aren't potatoes.

In other games that were newer and more intensive, or having issues in DirectX I'd agree. But this seems like "Lets do this for reasons. Vulkan is new." FFXIV already runs on MacOSX and PS4. Hell it runs on PS3, though not for long (and Vulkan won't help it stay on PS3). The only benefit would be a Linux use. But everyone running Linux already has Windows or PS4 to game on (just a sad fact of being a Linux user).

I wouldn't mind a different API option. For some reason I can't figure out I cannot run the game in dx11 without it crashing with dx errors after 5 or 6 teleports. This is consistent since the dx11 version was released even with an upgrade from a gtx970 type a gtx1080. I have pondered it being an issue with my AMD FX 8350, but it's such a slight possibility that, at this point, I'm not rebuilding my whole system architecture with a new CPU just so I can play 1 game in dx11 (it should be noted that FFXIV is the only game I have dx11 crashing issues).

[MiniTofu]

What would be the point exactly? FFXIV is already pretty damn optimized as it is. It runs on max settings even on some slightly older machines as long as they aren't potatoes.
*snip*

The point is allow at ease for developer having to deal with different system due to native API, non-native API and some API run very poor on some platform causes massive FPS drop. Developer has to keep adjusting multi assets for each platform on every new contents. This also cause the game to have extra assets.

If you ever work as coding for web back 10 years ago. I have to develop websites work and look the same as in IE9 and Firefox/Chrome. IE9 sometime doesn't render the structure the way you wanted and you have to constantly add hack workaround for IE9. It was pain and extra codes.

Example, FFXIV on Mac is run on Transgaming emulator for DX wrap around. If Vulkan supported. It wouldn't need Transgaming, that save the money for having to deal with third party. + game will run metal on metal. MacOS runs on Metal but Metal sits somewhere between OpenGL and Vulkan.

[BiriKomori]

The point is allow at ease for developer having to deal with different system due to native API, non-native API and some API run very poor on some platform causes massive FPS drop. Developer has to keep adjusting multi assets for each platform on every new contents. This also cause the game to have extra assets.

...

Example, FFXIV on Mac is run on Transgaming emulator for DX wrap around. If Vulkan supported. It wouldn't need Transgaming, that save the money for having to deal with third party. + game will run metal on metal. MacOS runs on Metal but Metal sits somewhere between OpenGL and Vulkan.

This is precisely the point. Potentially easier long term development, wider scale adoption, and better, or at the very least, equal performance than DirectX.

Just speculating, but I think I have seen FFXIV events with DirectX as a sponsor, so perhaps there's absolutely no chance of anything other than DirectX being used for this reason...

[Scylune]

Hey ^^ Just a small bump, Vulkan support was a great suggestion :]

[ErwinSchrodinger]

Bump, would LOVE for this to happen!

[grinkdaboy]

do they even know what a linux is in japan?