Graphics API translation layer
DXVK is an open-source translation layer which converts Direct3D 8/9/10/11 calls to Vulkan .[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4] Proton /Steam [ 5] Linux , by Intel Windows drivers,[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] VirtualBox 7.0,[ 9] Windows using Vulkan. DXVK has been confirmed to support over 80% of Direct3D Windows games "near flawlessly".[ 10] [ 11] [ 12]
History
DXVK was first developed by Philip Rebohle to support Direct3D 11 games only[ 13] OpenGL translation layer.
In 2018, the developer was sponsored by Valve to work on the project full-time in order to advance compatibility of the Linux version of Steam with Windows games.[ 13] [ 14]
In 2019, DXVK received Direct3D 9 support by merging with d9vk.[ 15] [ 16]
In November 2022, version 2.0 was released, introducing improvements to Direct3D 9 memory management, shader compilation, state cache, as well as, support for Direct3D 11 feature level 12_1 .[ 17] [ 18] Vulkan 1.3 support is now required.[ 19]
Released on January 24, 2023, version 2.1 implemented HDR support and improved quality for certain old games.[ 4] [ 20]
Released on May 12, 2023, version 2.2 added D3D11On12[ 21] [ 22] [ 23] [ 24] [ 25]
Released on July 10, 2024, version 2.4 added support for Direct3D 8.[ 26] [ 27]
Released on November 11, 2024, version 2.5 features an overhauled memory and resource management which resulted in VRAM savings up to 1GB in certain games. Direct3D 8 and 9 received support for software cursor.[ 28]
Controversies
The use of Wine/DXVK has been associated with users getting banned[ 29] [ 30] [ 31] [ 32]
References
^ Staff, Ars (2018-08-21). "Valve's "Steam Play" uses Vulkan to bring more Windows games to Linux" . Ars Technica . Retrieved 2023-01-01 . ^ Conway, Adam (2022-12-23). "How Proton on the Steam Deck works" . XDA Developers . Retrieved 2023-01-01 . ^ "Chapter 13. WINE" . FreeBSD Documentation Portal . Retrieved 2024-04-28 .^ a b Proven, Liam. "WINE 8.0 and DXVK 2.1 released" . www.theregister.com . Retrieved 2024-05-31 . ^ Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components: ValveSoftware/Proton Valve , 2019-04-03, retrieved 2019-04-03 ^ "Intel using DXVK (part of Steam Proton) for their Windows Arc GPU DX 9 drivers" . GamingOnLinux . 7 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-27 .^ Wilson, Jason R. (2022-11-01). "Intel Arc A750 Shows Boosted Performance In Older Gaming Titles Using Vulkan "DXVK" . Wccftech . Retrieved 2023-01-01 . ^ Aaron Klotz (2022-12-08). "Intel Arc Driver Optimizations Leverage Valve's DXVK Translator" . Tom's Hardware . Retrieved 2024-05-31 . ^ "VirtualBox 7.0 is out with their DirectX 11 support using DXVK" . GamingOnLinux . 11 October 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-27 .^ Aaron Klotz (2021-12-21). "80 Percent of Steam's Top 100 Games Run 'Nearly Flawlessly' on Linux" . Tom's Hardware . Retrieved 2024-05-31 . ^ "It's Now Even Easier To Check How A Game Runs On Steam Deck" . Kotaku . 2023-08-16. Retrieved 2024-05-31 .^ Conway, Adam (2022-12-06). "Need more games to play on your Steam Deck? Check out ProtonDB" . XDA Developers . Retrieved 2024-05-31 . ^ a b "An interview with the developer of DXVK, part of what makes Valve's Steam Play tick" . GamingOnLinux . 11 September 2018. Retrieved 2022-12-27 .^ Proven, Liam (2023-02-03). "WINE 8.0 and DXVK 2.1 released" . The Register . Retrieved 2023-05-20 . ^ "D9VK Merged Into Upstream DXVK" . www.phoronix.com . Retrieved 2024-05-31 .^ "D9VK is no more as it merges with DXVK, making DXVK a D3D 9/10/11 to Vulkan layer" . GamingOnLinux . 16 December 2019. Retrieved 2022-12-27 .^ Meo, Francesco De (2023-03-06). "Hogwarts Legacy Vulkan DXVK 2.1 ASYNC Mod Reduces Texture Loading Stutter" . Wccftech . Retrieved 2024-05-31 . ^ Larabel, Michael (2022-11-10). "DXVK 2.0 Released With Many Improvements For Direct3D Over Vulkan" . www.phoronix.com . Retrieved 2023-05-20 . ^ "Driver support" . GitHub . Retrieved 2024-07-17 .^ "Release Version 2.1 · doitsujin/dxvk" . GitHub . Retrieved 2023-10-21 .^ microsoft/D3D11On12 , retrieved 2024-07-08 ^ stevewhims (2021-12-30). "Direct3D 11 on 12 - Win32 apps" . learn.microsoft.com . Retrieved 2024-07-08 . ^ "DXVK 2.2 Released With D3D11On12 Support, Many Game Fixes" . www.phoronix.com . Retrieved 2024-05-31 .^ Wilson, Jason R. (2023-05-13). "DXVK 2.2 Launches With D3D11On12 Support For Unity Engine, Game Fixes & More" . Wccftech . Retrieved 2024-05-31 . ^ "Release Version 2.2 · doitsujin/dxvk" . GitHub . Retrieved 2023-10-21 .^ "Release Version 2.4 · doitsujin/dxvk" . GitHub . Retrieved 2024-07-10 .^ "DXVK 2.4 Released With Direct3D 8 Support, Native WSI Improvements" . www.phoronix.com . Retrieved 2024-07-21 .^ "DXVK 2.5 Brings Memory Management Rewrite & Other Improvements" . www.phoronix.com . Retrieved 2024-11-11 .^ "Linux Gamers Banned in Battlefield V if Using Wine and DXVK" . BleepingComputer . Retrieved 2024-05-31 .^ "Some Linux Gamers Using Wine/DXVK To Play Blizzard's Overwatch Banned - Updated" . www.phoronix.com . Retrieved 2024-05-31 .^ "Caution: Playing 'Overwatch' On Linux May Get You Banned" . North America . Retrieved 2024-05-31 .^ "Some Linux Gamers Using Wine/DXVK To Play Blizzard's Overwatch Banned - Slashdot" . tech.slashdot.org . 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2024-05-31 .
External links
ProtonDB - a Proton/Wine/DXVK compatibility databaseDXVK - GitHub repositoryWine - a Win32 compatibility layer for POSIX operating systems
