https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1mwhdYZvSE

Square Enix has shown off a DirectX 12 tech demo at this year’s Microsoft Build Developer Conference.

The new demo, titled simply Witch Chapter 0 [Cry], was shown in the above video running on the upcoming Windows 10 operating system. This is a tech demo created mostly by the same people who crafted the Agni’s Philsophy: Final Fantasy Real-Time Tech Demo, which Square Enix used to showcase their Luminous Engine.

“Square Enix is working on this next-generation research project as a showcase for our technology and creativity which will lead the future of Square Enix.” said Yosuke Matsuda, president and representative director of Square Enix. “The results will be used to further advance the quality and technical expertise of our games. We will continue to pursue this research on cutting-edge technologies including high-end real-time graphics using the innovative DirectX 12.”

We’ve learned that Witch Chapter 0 [Cry] is in actuality a research project that focuses on the sheer versatility of next-generation graphics technology. Square Enix is aggressively furthering research and development on CG tech built on DirectX 12, in collaboration with both Microsoft and NVIDIA.

“Our team has always pursued cutting-edge pre-rendered and real-time CG,” said Hajime Tabata, head of the next-generation technology research project and Division Executive of Business Division II of Square Enix. “As a part of the technical development, we created this demo using world-class, real-time CG technology with generous support from leading-edge software and hardware providers – Microsoft’s Windows10/DirectX 12 and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX. The efforts from this project will power future game development as well as Final Fantasy XV, currently a work in progress.”

The fruit of their collective efforts will be incorporated into Square Enix’s Luminous Engine, and eventually into future games the company produces.