I know a programmer has to draw the line somewhere, but if you wanted to make a game based on features that only exist in DX9, then there's no need to worry too much about gamers that don't want to upgrade.
DX9 is free, so a customer doesn't even need to pay extra to get more functionality (and the ability to play the latest games).
Of course, you cannot expect every gamer to buy your game and upgrade their pc's with hardware that costs $2000.
The latest games don't even support Win95 anymore.
So if a player wants to run a DX7 game, which also requires Win98 or later, they have to upgrade to play those games.
If they don't want to do that, it's their problem.
And they cannot blaim only you, but they must blaim every other programmer, because almost no programmer works on Win95 anymore.
If they want to be left in the dark, it's their choice, and therefore shouldn't point the finger at you.
I also agree that DX7 needs to be supported (and not only DX9), because it supplies you with more potential customers.
My point is: don't go back futher than DX7, as this would be a waste of time for programmers (as this would only reach non-upgrading customers).
DX9 is free, so a customer doesn't even need to pay extra to get more functionality (and the ability to play the latest games).
Of course, you cannot expect every gamer to buy your game and upgrade their pc's with hardware that costs $2000.
The latest games don't even support Win95 anymore.
So if a player wants to run a DX7 game, which also requires Win98 or later, they have to upgrade to play those games.
If they don't want to do that, it's their problem.
And they cannot blaim only you, but they must blaim every other programmer, because almost no programmer works on Win95 anymore.
If they want to be left in the dark, it's their choice, and therefore shouldn't point the finger at you.
I also agree that DX7 needs to be supported (and not only DX9), because it supplies you with more potential customers.
My point is: don't go back futher than DX7, as this would be a waste of time for programmers (as this would only reach non-upgrading customers).