Square Enix has revealed a new Agni’s Philosophy Final Fantasy tech demo, titled “Witch Chapter 0 [cry] during the Microsoft Build Developer Conference. It’ a real-time tech demo that utilizes DirectX 12, a Windows10 based new generation API and it was made possible by using NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X-4-way SLI PC. In June 2013, the developers revealed the first Agni’s Philosophy video, promoting Square Enix new game engine, Luminous Studio. Now with “Witch Chapter 0”, they have taken the graphical quality to the next level – making everything look more refined and improved. The new tech demo is created to portray the human emotion of crying, which is said to be one of the most difficult representations for existing real-time CG technology.

The WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] demo video showcased at the Microsoft Build Developer Conference can be viewed here – starting at 3.32.00. The tech demo will also be showcased at “de:code 2015,” a developer conference hosted by Microsoft Japan, to take place May 26-27 in Tokyo, Japan.

Quotes from Square Enix Press Release:

“As a part of a research project that studies a variety of next generation technologies, Square Enix conducted extensive research on real-time CG technology utilizing DirectX 12 in collaboration with Microsoft and NVIDIA Corporation.  Revealed today as a technology demonstration titled, WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry], the results of this research will be incorporated into Square Enix’s LUMINOUS STUDIO engine, and is intended for use in future game development. Our team has always pursued cutting-edge pre-rendered and real-time CG As a part of the technical development, we created this demo using world-class, real-time CG technology with generous support from leading-edge software and hardware providers – Microsoft’s Windows10/DirectX 12 and NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX. The efforts from this project will power future game development as well as FINAL FANTASY XV, currently a work in progress.”

–Hajime Tabata, head of the next-generation technology research project and Division Executive of Business Division II of Square Enix 

“Square Enix is working on this next-generation research project as a showcase for our technology and creativity which will lead the future of Square Enix. The results will be used to further advance the quality and technical expertise of our games. We will continue to pursue this research on cutting-edge technologies including high-end real-time graphics using the innovative DirectX 12.

–Yosuke Matsuda, president and representative director of Square Enix

“We’ve designed DirectX 12 to deliver industry leading performance across the widest range of form factors and graphic cards.The work Square Enix is doing plays a valuable role in exhibiting the potential of DirectX 12 to enable even greater innovation and optimized game performance.”

–Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president and chief evangelist at Microsoft.

“WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] features the most ambitious real-time, cinematic-quality graphics ever undertaken. Square Enix’s achievement is nothing short of breathtaking. I am delighted that their amazing team turned to the NVIDIA GAMEWORKS EFFECTS STUDIO to help bring WITCH CHAPTER 0 [cry] to life. This is a preview of the beauty and artistry of video games to come.”

–Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO, NVIDIA.