Microsoft has signed a licensing agreement to supply its DirectX 7.0 gaming API for the proprietary flagship America Online service. Many gamers already know that DirectX is the software layer that helps maximize hardware for Windows 95/98 games. AOL users will go to areas where they can download components to play new games built for AOL's audiences.
While AOL hasn't hinted at what those games might be, AOL's other big announcement that Electronic Arts would be taking over AOL's gaming efforts may indicate that many upcoming DirectX games on AOL will be based on EA properties.