AMD "Misspoke" Saying DirectX 12 Won't Work With Windows 7

AMD clarifies comments made by it's Chief Gaming Scientist Richard Huddy at a recent event.

You might have seen reports circulating that Windows 7 won't support DirectX 12, Microsoft's next, "low level" graphics API that will introduce several improvements to existing graphics cards and the Xbox One.

The news is based on a video of AMD Chief Gaming Scientist Richard Huddy speaking at the PDXLAN event. During the video of his presentation (which has since been removed from YouTube) Huddy plainly says that Windows 7 will not support DirectX 12. However, AMD has told GameSpot that Huddy simply "misspoke."

"There have been reports based on a video of Richard Huddy of AMD making speculative comments around DirectX 12 support on versions of Windows," AMD said in a statement. "Richard Huddy does not speak for Microsoft, and he was unfortunately speculating from Microsoft’s publication of key dates and milestones for Windows 7 lifecycle and mainstream support policy. Richard has no special insight into Microsoft’s Windows or DirectX roadmaps. Microsoft is a key, strategic partner for AMD and we’re continuously collaborating with them on DirectX 12."

PC gamers are worried about the possibility that DirectX 12 won't work on Windows 7 because as new games start to take advantage of DirectX 12 for better performance and improved graphics, they'll essentially be forced to upgrade to Windows 8 or the upcoming Windows 10.

Microsoft previously said that DirectX 12 will work across PC, tablets, phones, and Xbox One. It didn't say if it will support Windows 7, but that it's aware of the demand for Windows 7 support.