AMD signs up 40 development studios for Mantle

[LtMatt]

I hope more announcements are forthcoming that announce which development studios have signed up.

Today AMD is launching a beta program for its Mantle API software development kit. Mantle is a graphics API that was created in a collaborative effort between AMD and game developers to build a lower level graphics API than what competing solutions like OpenGL and DirectX offer. Mantle has so far been implemented in two publicly released games, Battlefield 4 and Thief. Our initial impressions of Mantle have been positive, but using the Mantle rendering option in these games has been a bit of a gamble due to various bugs and teething issues. Additionally Microsoft announced at this year’s GDC that the upcoming DirectX 12 API would be very similar to Mantle in its current form.

That said there is still a lot of interest in Mantle from game developers and gamers alike. Gamers see it as a way to get a free performance boost from their AMD-based GPUs and developers see it as a way to prepare themselves for coding DirectX 12 applications. AMD still has yet to release Mantle as a publicly available graphics API and for now Mantle is still locked to only AMD’s hardware. But the launch of this Mantle SDK beta will go a long towards reaching both of those goals as AMD has finally decided that the Mantle API offers, “all necessary stability, performance and functionality milestones required to ready it for a broader audience in the developer community.”

Speaking of developer support AMD is opening the beta by announcing that forty different developers pre-registered for this beta and that they are now inviting everyone else to apply into the beta. AMD isn’t requiring a whole lot from beta participants, by they are asking beta applications to have prior development experience which is a no-brainer from our perspective.

The core of the Mantle API is officially finished from AMD’s perspective. Now it’s up to developers and AMD’s developer relations team to take Mantle to the next level with new coding techniques and wider support for the API. Mantle has been an interesting story to watch so far, and with this public beta the story of Mantle is beginning a major crescendo.

Source
http://semiaccurate.com/2014/05/01/amd-begins-private-mantle-sdk-beta/

AMD said Thursday that the company has signed up 40 developer studios wishing to use its Mantle technology, and is issuing another round of invitations for others to access a new portal.

AMD wouldn’t say who those developers were, or whether the company had extracted firm commitments from those who had signed up to develop for AMD’s technology. But the company is trying to generate buzz surrounding the sheer numbers of those who have signed up.

“There are no objective criteria for being selected, as we are interested in talking to developers of all shapes and sizes,” the company said in a statement. “Past development experience is encouraged, however.” The password-protected developer portal is now live

Full Article
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2150...velopment-studios-for-private-mantle-sdk.html

 

[James J]

Their approach of a no criteria for selection is a positive thing in my opinion as making it exclusive for only massive companies would make it flop in no time. Especially when studio's come out of nowhere and expand very quickly when they get a good title on their hands. Look at the studio behind the witcher series as a prime example.

 

[mmj_uk]

Most of these will probably be small studios/indies simply wanting to experiment with Mantle, you'd expect AMD to list them if they were developers worth shouting about.

 

[LtMatt]

Their approach of a no criteria for selection is a positive thing in my opinion as making it exclusive for only massive companies would make it flop in no time. Especially when studio's come out of nowhere and expand very quickly when they get a good title on their hands. Look at the studio behind the witcher series as a prime example.

They need to get as many on board as possible, spread the word. DX12 is a long way off so there is no competition for a while yet. I think the key thing will be the shared optimizations that can be shared between the consoles and the pc systems easily on Mantle. I guess that simplifies development and saves time so would encourage its usage. Also its gives them a chance to use something that will be similar to DX12 early, get some practice in.

Most of these will probably be small studios/indies simply wanting to experiment with Mantle, you'd expect AMD to list them if they were developers worth shouting about.

They've already got some very big players.

EA/Dice/Frostbite
Square Enix
Crytek/Cryengine
Rebellion
Star Citizen
Xaviant Studios

 

[drunkenmaster]

The 40 are companies that pre-registered for the beta, those that some people on the forum would have us believe AMD turned away and absolutely didn't ever want involved in Mantle ever because it would be kept private..... somehow benefiting AMD's master plan of no one using it.

It's normal and going to plan, seen not a single complaint about DX12 being in early stages, announcing a rough beta start time and not handing it out freely before then but AMD do what is absolutely standard in any such development cycle and it's awful.

They've obviously reached a point with feedback from existing devs in the program to make changes, finish features, add new features likely and move to the next stage of the program.

There will be many gaming studios and plenty of people that just want a closer look. As with any releasing of info you would absolutely not expect every studio/dev downloading to indicate a game being made using Mantle. But interest is a good sign and considering the existing companies that have signed up I would expect more in the future.

The only real question is will any of the companies that are working closely with Nvidia get on board. I would think we will see certain companies like with Thief, adding their own Mantle support to somegame using the UE4 engine in the future, but will Unreal add it themselves..... I suspect not.

 

[LtMatt]

I would love to see Unreal add it. Bet they have an agreement with Nvidia not to though.

 

[shankly1985]

Keep them coming AMD.

 

[Will Lucky]

I would love to see Unreal add it. Bet they have an agreement with Nvidia not to though.

Unfortunately almost certainly to have one. But it would be nice to see.

 

[Sugarhell]

I prefer unity over unreal.

 

[Boomstick777]

Now all they to do is sign up someone decent to design their coolers..

 

[tommybhoy]

Can't be right matt, I keep reading here that mantle is doomed already.

Now all they to do is sign up someone decent to design their coolers..

Haven't you heard?

It's went full circle now, better point Nvidia in the right direction for the Z, while your at it, might want to ask them about Fcat results too.

 

[LtMatt]

It's went full circle now, better point Nvidia in the right direction for the Z, while your at it, might want to ask them about Fcat results too.

Oh snap!

 

[PhysicsMan94]

I prefer unity over unreal.

But unitary matrices can be unreal...

\terriblytenuousmathsjoke

 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

MANTLE FOR EVERY GAME W000T hue. Nah, sounds great though!

 

[LtMatt]

Today AMD is launching a beta program for its Mantle API software development kit. Mantle is a graphics API that was created in a collaborative effort between AMD and game developers to build a lower level graphics API than what competing solutions like OpenGL and DirectX offer. Mantle has so far been implemented in two publicly released games, Battlefield 4 and Thief. Our initial impressions of Mantle have been positive, but using the Mantle rendering option in these games has been a bit of a gamble due to various bugs and teething issues. Additionally Microsoft announced at this year’s GDC that the upcoming DirectX 12 API would be very similar to Mantle in its current form.

That said there is still a lot of interest in Mantle from game developers and gamers alike. Gamers see it as a way to get a free performance boost from their AMD-based GPUs and developers see it as a way to prepare themselves for coding DirectX 12 applications. AMD still has yet to release Mantle as a publicly available graphics API and for now Mantle is still locked to only AMD’s hardware. But the launch of this Mantle SDK beta will go a long towards reaching both of those goals as AMD has finally decided that the Mantle API offers, “all necessary stability, performance and functionality milestones required to ready it for a broader audience in the developer community.”

Speaking of developer support AMD is opening the beta by announcing that forty different developers pre-registered for this beta and that they are now inviting everyone else to apply into the beta. AMD isn’t requiring a whole lot from beta participants, by they are asking beta applications to have prior development experience which is a no-brainer from our perspective.

The core of the Mantle API is officially finished from AMD’s perspective. Now it’s up to developers and AMD’s developer relations team to take Mantle to the next level with new coding techniques and wider support for the API. Mantle has been an interesting story to watch so far, and with this public beta the story of Mantle is beginning a major crescendo.

Source
http://semiaccurate.com/2014/05/01/amd-begins-private-mantle-sdk-beta/

 

[humbug]

I hope more announcements are forthcoming that announce which development studios have signed up.



Source
http://semiaccurate.com/2014/05/01/amd-begins-private-mantle-sdk-beta/



Full Article
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2150...velopment-studios-for-private-mantle-sdk.html

I though no one was intrested now that DX12 is all the news.

They've already got some very big players.

EA/Dice/Frostbite
Square Enix
Crytek/Cryengine
Rebellion
Star Citizen
Xaviant Studios

oh..

Haven't you heard?

It's went full circle now, better point Nvidia in the right direction for the Z, while your at it, might want to ask them about Fcat results too.

AMD can't beat the GTX Titan, its impossible... No wait a minute, They did.

Ok.. Nvidia are smoother. Ah? No, that doesn't work any more either.

AMD can't make a Dual Hawaii GPU, to much heat and power. Ah.. Crap, proven wrong again!

No, Mantle will amount to nothing. erm? yeah i'm starting to look like an fool beating that drum now.

Oh no... whats happened to the Titan-Z?

 

[PhysicsMan94]

In this thread - maximum baiting.

 

[LtMatt]

In this thread - maximum baiting.

Sometimes old Broomstick brings it on himself. All those things Humbug mentioned he's been guilty of going on about time and time again. Two wrongs don't make a right mind you.

Lets keep this about Mantle please folks...

So Mantle 1.0 is essentially finished, if that Semi Accurate article is correct. Interesting.

 

[humbug]

In this thread - maximum baiting.

Its just a bit of delightful comeback at the constant nay saying, don't take it too seriously

 

[PhysicsMan94]

It's just a bit childish if you ask me, I thought that we were all adults here - perhaps I'm wrong. Anyway, back on topic I guess... Sorry for OT post Matt.