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AMD announce 'GPUOpen', open source tools like Nvidia's GameWorks

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AMD are stepping up their open source game again, as they have announced GPUOpen to rival Nvidia's GameWorks.

AnandtechTo that end, not unlike the RTG’s Linux efforts, the group is embarking on a new, more open direction for GPU SDK and library development. Being announced today is RTG’s GPUOpen initiative, which will combine RTG’s various SDKs and libraries under the single GPUOpen umbrella, and then take all of these components open source.


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I think this is really good news, and hopefully more big developers will use it instead of Nvidia's GameWorks. Since it will be open source, developers will be free to use it however they please and not need any kind of license to take a look at it, since it will be on github in January 2016 under an MIT license. The MIT license is pretty no-nonsense, which is exactly what game developers want for integrating it in their games.

Looks like they are trying to move away from the AMD name for all this GPU stuff too, and use the RTG (Radeon Technologies Group) name.

Hopefully we will see OpenGL and/or Vulkan things like this in future too, so that we can have comparable graphical features in our games. It seems all the effects listed are for DirectX 11, which isn't surprising.

While it's not all that exciting for us right now, it does show that AMD is really becoming invested in open source, which is good for us in the long run.

They have also been speaking up about their new Linux driver strategy some more, which is really good to see.

Thanks for the info Anandtech. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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8 comments

kellerkindt Dec 15, 2015
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Oh dear... If they would just be able to make competitive drivers, I really would consider buying an AMD/Radeon card.
But the current situation doesn't event allow that thought imo (no offense AMD guys :P).


Last edited by kellerkindt on 15 December 2015 at 7:48 pm UTC
Beamboom Dec 15, 2015
Ars Technica has a really great article on this, and one of the most interesting quotes (imo) is,

"As this evolution happens, it means that Linux will gain access to a full open source, high-performance driver stack, with the only constraint being that developers must use Vulkan instead of the older OpenGL."

Again, Vulkan. It's the way forward.

http://arstechnica.co.uk/information-technology/2015/12/amd-embraces-open-source-to-take-on-nvidias-gameworks/
adolson Dec 15, 2015
An open-source driver is the best chance we've got at NVIDIA engineers pitching in to help make AMD a viable option on Linux.
Mountain Man Dec 15, 2015
"...hopefully more big developers will use it instead of Nvidia's GameWorks."

Hopefully more big developers will move away from proprietary solutions and stick with open standards.
Kristian Dec 15, 2015
MIT license? Interesting..so is the code dependent on AMD hardware somehow? Otherwise Nvidia could integrate anything from this they like in their software.

Edit:

It also means that FLOSS games, including GPL licensed ones, can make use of GPUOpen.


Last edited by Kristian on 15 December 2015 at 9:36 pm UTC
ElectricPrism Dec 16, 2015
Well shiznit, if AMD goes rambo and their stuff becomes hot there goes another $400 - $600 :(

Mr Wallet says stop being awesome! Ya Hear!
PublicNuisance Dec 16, 2015
My money goes where the open standards are so this would keep me on the red team. Hopefully developers actually use these tools.
DasCapschen Dec 19, 2015
I cannot really tell you why, but I always found AMD more sympathetic than Intel/Nvidia, and I would love to use AMD technology again, currently using Intel and Nvidia.
This and Vulkan upcoming gives me hope, but as long as AMD performance remains much worse than Intel/Nvidia, I don't see myself switching back to them :/
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