FYI - Ms Direct X (Dec 2006) Released

Microsoft has released updated Direct X (Dec 2006 edition).
They do this about every 2 months.

Download - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

Web Install - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

It's bug fixes + new minor features that game developers want that Microsoft add and gives access to all developers.

(Edit) The following files are new or been updated:

Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3D.dll: 9.05.0132.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:22 473600 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 5.04.0000.3900 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:19 2676224 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.04.0091.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:20 2846720 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.05.0132.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:20 563712 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.06.0168.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:21 567296 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.07.0239.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:21 576000 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.08.0299.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:21 577024 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.09.0376.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:21 577536 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.10.0455.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:21 577536 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.11.0519.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:21 578560 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Direct3DX.dll: 9.12.0589.0000 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:22 578560 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.DirectDraw.dll: 5.04.0000.2904 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:22 145920 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.DirectInput.dll: 5.04.0000.2904 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:22 159232 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.DirectPlay.dll: 5.04.0000.2904 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:23 364544 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.DirectSound.dll: 5.04.0000.2904 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:23 178176 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.AudioVideoPlayback.dll: 5.04.0000.2904 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:22 53248 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.Diagnostics.dll: 5.04.0000.2904 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:22 12800 bytes
Microsoft.DirectX.dll: 5.04.0000.2904 English Final Retail 12/14/2006 08:33:22 223232 bytes

thanks for sharing this man

Beat me to it. :P

I'm a total computer noob here... is this something that every GW player should download/install?

It may fix or improve something that wasn't working correctly.

So far, updating has not broken anything in GuildWars from what I've seen.

New games just coming out now or very soon may require this version, but typically include updated direct x as part of the game install.

I do know that some issues with 3d sound and performance issues were cleared up with some users in these forums by updating.

You don't necessarily need to update it as the changes aren't all the great, although there is no reason not to and you will eventually either way, with or without even knowing.

As for what it is, Direct3D is what makes Guild Wars' graphics differ from those of Pacman or Pong on an ancient computer that would take up half your living room.
Ok, that is slightly exaggerated since there's still Open GL and below that simple GDI, but you get my point.
All games use Direct3D, it powers all modern graphics technologies.
In fact, your physical graphics card would be severely crippled without it.

Direct3D is not the only thing. In fact, I would argue that it's the inferior choice among the options. Direct3D is just an abstracted 3D acceleration API. It makes it so game developers can write a universal program, instead of having to code a separate version of a game for each individual video card.

this is something that all gamers should download not just GW players. while there are other argubably better options DirectX is the standard therefore it's good enough.

Stability fixes are always great, and OpenGL isn't some closet tech from the old days. The only reason why DirectX is still used heavily now by game developers is because its what they are comfortable with. But that seems to be slowly changing.