Is Windows 7 gaming’s real best friend?

By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.NET

SINGAPORE– Gamers usually question the capabilities of all of the latest operating system and the new Microsoft operating system Windows 7 was of no exception. Its predecessor, Windows Vista, came under a lot of fire when it was first launched as it caused certain games to crash largely due to backward compatibility issues, later improved as more game developers applied the necessary patches to run games on Windows Vista.

Still, gamers preferred even the much older Windows XP to run the latest games primarily because of compatibility and lesser system resource requirements.

Microsoft offered multiple pre-launch builds of Windows 7 prior to the official launch on October 22. Various software development firms, including game firms, created applications on top of the new OS. Even while Windows 7 is a leaner and faster upgrade from Vista, game developers are still hoping to prevent the same concerns with Windows 7.

Only a few game developers announced they are fully supporting Windows 7 even as Microsoft promised that games developed on Vista will run on the new OS. In addition, much olders games on Windows XP will also run on Windows 7 through an XP emulation feature.

Compatibility
During the launch of Windows 7 in Singapore, Microsoft executives and one startup game developer showcased how games could be run on Windows 7. Microsoft Asia Pacific Support Group Head Howard Lo insisted that if a game runs on Windows Vista, it should run on the new OS.

He showed the first person shooter Crysis from Electronic Arts running on Windows 7. Lo said many of the graphics card manufacturers have collaborated with Microsoft to come up with compatible drivers. In fact, Windows 7 already most of the necessary drivers for graphics cards, therefore there would be little need to update drivers.

But gamers do not want to take chances so manufacturers also made sure they are ready. A quick view of the websites of Nvidia and rival graphics card maker ATI showed they already have both the 32-bit and 64-bit drivers for Windows 7, essentially ensuring all gamers that there are no longer operating system compatibility issues.

“Microsoft made sure that it is working closely with all user segments, including game developers so that by the time Windows 7 came out gamers can start playing,” Lo said.

He added that Windows 7 already has DirectX 11, the latest application programming interface (API) for third-party developed multimedia applications.

Touch screen gaming
With the compatibility issues on the sideline, Microsoft is putting new efforts to make Windows 7 a good gaming platform. Just like the motion-sensitive features in Nintendo Wii and the upcoming Xbox 360 Project Natal, Microsoft is looking at the multi-touch capabilities of Windows 7 to be the next big thing.

In fact, a game developer has shown how multi-touch gaming can be done. Singapore-based startup game developer Touch Dimensions demonstrated their game entitled Autumn Dynasty, a real-time strategy game that required players to just touch the screen rather than using a mouse and keyboard.

In addition, the game also reads other objects that touch the screen, in this case, a Chinese calligraphy brush, which is used like a mouse in selecting troops and directing their directions of attack. The use of the player’s hand only comes in when trying to move the map to a different area, as well as expanding or contracting the size of the map.

While the game is still on its beta tests (the company only started in September), the multitouch gaming concept is showing some promise. For sure, this will create a new experience for PC gamers.