I would guess DX12 and multi-core go hand to hand and they might release both things at the same time, multi-core support might be the first "big" update we will see with DX12.Some newbie driver wrote: ↑28 May 2023 19:48 DX12 to the game as it is now will provide little to none improvement. One of the biggest points on DX12 is that multiple graphic-handling CPU threads can communicate in parallel with the GPU to boost (a LOT) the graphic performance. That's pointless in the current state of the game because it's mono-core not just for the graphics but for the main part of the relevant threads of the game. There are lots of other details, but to lose that major point... Just guessing that its low worth the work to DX12 migration if that multi-GPU-threading can't be leveraged.
So, if I'm right, either they will switch to multi-core first and DX12 later, either they will do both things at the same time. The first option seems less risky as it allows to test and iron one part (that it's not easy at all by itself) before facing the second part. But maybe separate it that way will lead to more total work so they could opt to do it on a single step (hence more time to release it all). Also, the game is way WAY more eager to features that require that extra CPU cores than is eager to better graphics. Better graphics is always welcome, but actual ones aren't that bad.
Whatever, don't expect DX12 to change A LOT the graphics at the beginning. It would be more a point of performance. We were seeing RttBS tease screenshots for a long time and nobody realized they were done with DX11. When as SCS explained, DX9 was incompatible with several features they start to include in that DLC 3D assets (hence the complete DX9 support drop before that DLC). But DO expect they will tease with whatever the multi-core allows them to do once it gives plenty of extra CPU cycles to be used. Because whatever it will be, they know it's something the game has been lacking for long and we will be happy to finally get.
So, it's more probable that we will not "see coming" DX12 as we will "see coming" the multi-core. Because at this point of development of the game, the second is more required and indirectly more demanded; so it will attract the attention of way more people and even potential new/returning players. Priority-wise; I think it's objectively a better roadmap. A completely different history are any technical and logistical constrains.
Regards
I'm sure most of us are aware that DX12 is not just about graphics, is more about the overall performance of the game, they could totally do DX12 and keep the graphics exactly as they are, but as far as we know they aren't and that's where the "new render system" that Max has talked about before comes into play.
So i guess they will go with DX12 + multi-core support as the first release, and then maybe the next big update will be the new render system with support for better AA, AO, a better particles system, etc.
But only SCS knows the real answer for that.