AMD has confirmed that Battlefield: Hardline will support its graphics API Mantle at launch, despite the game not doing so in the recent open beta.
Its absence caused some players to wonder if Visceral’s upcoming cop thriller would add Mantle support after launch, as was the case with Battlefield 4.
The announcement was made in a post by AMD discussing the future of Mantle, which they had originally hyped as a real rival to DirectX. The comapny’s post seems a little more cautious now, resigned even, to the point where they recommend developers interested in the software focus on DirectX 12 or Glnext instead. Calling 2015 a “transitional year for Mantle”, the company outlined four key thoughts for the future.
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“AMD will continue to support our trusted partners that have committed to Mantle in future projects, like Battlefield™ Hardline, with all the resources at our disposal.
Mantle’s definition of “open” must widen. It already has, in fact. This vital effort has replaced our intention to release a public Mantle SDK, and you will learn the facts on Thursday, March 5 at GDC 2015.
Mantle must take on new capabilities and evolve beyond mastery of the draw call. It will continue to serve AMD as a graphics innovation platform available to select partners with custom needs.
- The Mantle SDK also remains available to partners who register in this co-development and evaluation program. However, if you are a developer interested in Mantle “1.0” functionality, we suggest that you focus your attention on DirectX® 12 or GLnext.”
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