Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

The new Direct sees Alex, Rich and Oliver reacting to the reveal of Metro 2039 - and it looks like another technical showcase from the brilliant 4A Games. Nvidia denies wanting to acquire a big PC manufacturer, but it kinda of makes sense, so is it going to happen? The team share disbelief about the quality of tech QA on Starfield PS5's launch, before moving on to Asha Sharma's comments about Game(s) Pass being too expensive. There's a warm welcome for the return of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D - but how much will it cost? And finally, what happened when Pragmata on PS5 ran at 1440p on Rich's PS5 - but only 1080p on Oliver and Tom's consoles? 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:13 News 1: Metro 2039 revealed! 0:15:50 News 2: Nvidia: we aren’t acquiring a PC maker 0:22:58 News 3: Bethesda: Starfield PS5 crash fixes incoming 0:33:16 News 4: Asha Sharma: Game Pass is too expensive 0:44:16 News 5: Report: Ryzen 5800X3D to return 0:54:33 Content discussion: is Pragmata on PS5 1080p or 1440p? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest edition of the DF Direct Q+A show, we tackle the question of whether Switch 2 and the upcoming Sony handheld should spawn cheaper "micro-console" variants. We ponder the reasons behind the delay of the Switch 2 port of 007 First Light. Why do Xbox games have screen-tearing where Sony versions do not? And a big one - is console gaming and gaming in general stagnating? 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Supporter Q1: Should Nintendo release a home console-only version of Switch 2? And should Sony package their PS6 handheld as a home console? 10:16 Supporter Q2: Given recent handheld price spikes, what’s a realistic price for a PS6 handheld? 16:36 Supporter Q3: Is the 007 First Light delay for Switch 2 a good thing? 22:06 Supporter Q4: Why do Xbox games often tear when their PS5 counterparts are perfectly v-synced? 28:50 Supporter Q5: Have console stagnation and game engine homogeneity made gaming boring? 38:51 Supporter Q6: Should PC settings options be less granular? 45:58 Supporter Q7: Should console game devs introduce settings that don’t do anything to placate users? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another BIG Direct! The embargo for Pragmata lifts today and John and Rich share their thoughts on the PC version ahead of a look at all of the console versions later in the week. The team discuss the recent round of Forza Horizon 6 previews, before moving on to the highs and the lows of playing Samson from Liquid Swords. Alex has much to share about Nvidia's latest path tracing innovations, Rich is intrigued by Nvidia's upcoming Nvidia N1/N1X based laptops, while the reveal of an amazing Super Mario Bros demo on Sega Master System leads to some disturbing anecdotes from Rich. 0:00:00 Introduction0:00:56 News 1: Pragmata tested on PC!0:15:09 News 2: Forza Horizon 6 impresses in new previews0:26:06 News 3 Samson proves deeply disappointing0:48:12 News 4: Nvidia talks path tracing advances at GDC1:02:21 News 5: Nvidia N1 motherboard leaks1:12:14 News 6: Super Mario Brothers demoed on Sega Master System Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of pricing discussion at the end of DF Direct Weekly #258, Rich opens up the question to the audience: how much would you pay for PlayStation 6? And will it support physical media? If a Sony handheld arrives, how will it play your older PlayStation titles? And moving away from next-gen Sony, will Project Helix have configurable memory options? And if you're not so interested in consoles, is there actually a good time to upgrade your PC? Finally, with Crimson Desert offering so many different options at this point, should console users just get the full PC graphics menu? 01:14 Supporter Q1: How much would you be willing to pay for a PS6? 23:31 Supporter Q2: Will the PS6 have a detachable disc drive? 27:39 Supporter Q3: Can Sony square a PS6 handheld with existing physical game libraries? 33:46 Supporter Q4: Is this actually a good time to upgrade my PC? 39:41 Supporter Q5: Could Project Helix have configurable RAM? 44:48 Supporter Q6: Should Crimson Desert offer PC-like settings configurability on consoles? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pearl Abyss has started research into a Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert, but warns that there may be cutbacks and changes - so what would they be? Rich, John and Alex discuss before moving onto a brace of new Nvidia technologies. DLSS Dynamic Multi Frame-Gen feels like it isn't quite finished, while Auto Shader Compilation also feels early - failing to address the main #StutterStruggle problem. John shares his impressions of Daytona USA on MAME, the team assess the latest PS6 leaks, while unearthing original Assassin's Creed Unity E3 2014 trailers raises a lot of questions... 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:50 News 1: Crimson Desert Switch 2 has begun R&D 0:12:08 News 2: DLSS 4.5 Dynamic Multi Frame Gen tested! 0:32:55 News 3: Nvidia Auto Shader Compilation aims to smooth driver updates 0:45:25 News 4: Daytona USA finally in great shape on MAME 0:56:28 News 5: PS6 leaks: Handheld CPU spec, BoM cost, online infrastructure 1:12:49 Content discussion: E3 2014 Assassin’s Creed Unity demos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With ten episodes of the DF Retro Super Show under their belts - 11 if you want to include the Analogue 3D review - John, Coury and Marc hand over the topic selection duties to backers of the DF Supporter Program. After discussing the latest retro news, it's straight into tackling questions direct from the audience. 00:00 - Introduction 01:02 - News 1 - Popcorn and Spinner Kickstarter 06:49 - News 2 - Retrotap from Kytor Industries 14:10 - News 3 - Evercade Nexus 21:58 - News 4 - Tokyo Wave Rush 27:01 - MAIN TOPIC: Q1 - "What new games would you like to see a demake of?" 32:55 - Q2 - "Can new LCD tech make old light guns work?" 36:10 - Q3 - "Do you have any arcade hardware?" 47:52 - Q4 - "What would the 5th Gen of consoles have been like without Sony?" 57:57 - Q5 - "Recommend some current retro-inspired RPGs" 1:07:00 - Q6 - "Top 3 Best looking pieces of retro hardware" 1:15:40 - Q7 - "What do you think of the recompilations of old games that have been released lately?" 1:23:12 - Q8 - "What are your holy grail games?" 1:28:00 - Q9 - "Is the Sega CD more than a FMV machine?" 1:38:04 - Q10 - "Different versions of the same game in the old days" 1:47:27 - Q11 - "Castlevania Bloodlines or Super Castlevania 4?" 1:52:58 - Q12 - "Considerations for buying modern displays to use with classic games" 1:59:07 - Q13 - "Nintendo64 or Game Sack?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest Q+A show kicks off with the news we just missed from the last Direct - Sony raising prices for PlayStation 5. The machine you could buy for $400 in 2020 is now $600, while the disc model hits $650. The team discuss the implications and discuss price comparisons with PC - but are those comparisons relevant? Meanwhile, what could Nintendo do with a potential Ocarina of Time remake? Will Project Helix solve shader compilation stutter and will next-gen consoles use 3D v-cache? All this and more in the show. 00:00 Introduction 01:33 Supporter Q1: How should we plan for a long cross generation period, in light of PS5 price increases? 15:25 Supporter Q2: Is the PS5 Pro still good value compared to a gaming PC? 22:56 Supporter Q3: What would you like to see for a remake of Ocarina of Time? 28:47 Supporter Q4: Could Project Helix lead to an end for shader compilation stutter? 32:49 Supporter Q5: Should next-gen consoles include 3D V-Cache? And what should we make of the 9950X3D2? 39:36 Supporter Q6: Could you split PC coverage up amongst the team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A brace of goodies for Switch 2 owners this week, as Tom returns triumphantly with a detailed look at Fallout 4's DLSS upgrade, while Oliver takes a look at the Kena: Bridge of Spirits port. Meanwhile, there's a degree of enthusiasm about Forza Horizon 6's PC specs and the reveal of RTGI and RT reflections support, general bafflement about why Sony's cancelled electric car ever happened in the first place, and the team weigh in on the Switch 2 digital/physical pricing debate. And of course, the panel discuss the Xbox Partner Preview presentation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The arrival of a dramatically improved PSSR prompts many questions about the future of Sony ML features and the relationship with AMD. Meanwhile, the team tackle the baffling issue of no Crimson Desert Intel graphics support at launch, whether John can ever be tempted away from his CRTs and how future tech will balance dynamic resolution and dynamic frame-gen. Meanwhile, what's going on with diminished Xbox coverage? 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Supporter Q1: Which games actually have dedicated PSSR 2 patches? 06:23 Supporter Q2: Could AMD’s Ray Regeneration be implemented in Crimson Desert for PS5 Pro? 11:01 Supporter Q3: Will we have another PSSR upgrade this generation? 12:32 Supporter Q4 What is the long-term future of PSSR for PS6? 14:43 Supporter Q5: Is it acceptable for Crimson Desert to ship without Intel Arc support? 19:50 Supporter Q6: Is DF shunning Xbox coverage? 28:42 Supporter Q7: If OLEDs get an Nvidia Pulsar equivalent, will John ditch CRTs? 32:23 Supporter Q8: How do you balance between DRS and dynamic frame gen? 38:44 Supporter Q9: What acronym should Sony use for their PlayStation frame gen tech? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another big Direct! John talks base PlayStation 5 Crimson Desert mere hours after its launch, the team talk PSSR based on a new interview with Mark Cerny, while Oliver checks out the new handheld boost option for Switch 2 - and it's good! Cyberpunk 2077 is getting a PS5 Pro upgrade - but what is it? And finally, John enthuses even more about G-Sync Pulsar with its new 60Hz support feature! 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:38 News 1: Crimson Desert base PS5 impressions 0:25:59 News 2: Our interview with Mark Cerny on the upgraded PSSR! 0:54:05 News 3: Nintendo adds Switch 2 “Handheld Boost” 1:08:44 News 4: Cyberpunk 2077 poised for PS5 Pro patch 1:18:25 News 5: G-Sync Pulsar monitors patched to support 60Hz games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a wild few days. When we posted about DLSS 5, we were impressed with the technology and what it was doing - but we posted too soon. When generative AI is so divisive and with the future of games development possibly at stake, we should have taken the time to get the story straight and to analyse what we saw more thoroughly drawing on the thoughts of the whole team. In this video, we try to do just that while tackling the big questions raised by our supporters. 00:00 Explaining our initial DLSS 5 video 02:26 How can developers maintain artistic control with DLSS 5, especially for faces? 15:40 When the game industry is hurting, what are the ethics of using DLSS 5? 23:23 Why show off DLSS 5 now? Why call it DLSS 5? 30:38 Our technical reactions to DLSS 5 47:15 Dealing with harassment and concluding thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After months - no, years - of speculation, we finally have proper information from Microsoft on the nature of its next generation Project Helix console - but how much is actually new? Meanwhile, Pearl Abyss share lavish detail on Crimson Desert specifications, while Nvidia talks The Witcher 4 with RTX Mega Geometry and Path Tracing. Rich is taken aback by Intel's Core 200 Ultra Plus announcement, Oliver has a new monitor and John pops up to talk more about our Crimson Desert PS5 Pro coverage. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:53 News 1: Microsoft reveals Project Helix at GDC 0:35:41 News 2: Crimson Desert console and PC specs drop 0:45:06 News 3: Witcher 4 gets RTX Mega Geometry, path tracing 0:53:36 News 4: Intel launches Core Ultra 200S Plus series 1:01:20 News 5: Oliver’s new Apple Studio Display XDR 1:10:01 Content discussion: Crimson Desert exclusive PS5 Pro review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the fourth Q+A show, the team dive deeper into Xbox Project Helix and share their thoughts on potential performance vs PS6 along with hopes for what Microsoft will reveal this week at GDC. In the wake of Sony's reported change in PC strategy, where does that leave Nixxes? And what about the alleged "dynamic pricing" on the PlayStation Store? Oliver's getting a new display for the workplace, and Will Judd returns to Digital Foundry. And... can Sony justify releasing a PlayStation 6 Professional? 00:48 Supporter Q1: Will Project Helix dual boot Windows and Xbox OS, or will it rely more on virtualization? 12:14 Supporter Q2: Does Project Helix seem meaningfully more powerful than PS6, based off rumoured specs? 20:56 Supporter Q3: What will Nixxes do, given their reduced porting portfolio? 27:34 Supporter Q4: What do you think of dynamic pricing for digital game stores? 32:00 Supporter Q5: Are you impressed by the Pokémon Winds/Waves trailer? 35:16 Supporter Q6: Is the Apple Studio Display XDR any good for gaming? 41:32 Supporter Q7: Can Sony justify releasing a PS6 Pro? 46:43 Supporter Q8: How is Will doing, and when will you let him back on DF Direct? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the run-up to GDC, Microsoft has given the new Xbox a codename - Project Helix - and there's confirmation that it'll run PC games too, but what else will be revealed and how much will it cost? Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Sony's stepping back from bringing its triple-A singleplayer games to PC, John tries Marathon and bemoans RT changes made to RE Requiem, and Rich wonders what's going on with the reported RTX 5050 9GB. Finally, Pearl Abyss stands by the quality of Crimson Desert on consoles - and says that Digital Foundry will have full access to review code. Nice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the third Q+A show, the DF team have lots to discuss - there's a bunch of big questions on the "PSSR2" reveal and we can share what we think about what's to come next month. Meanwhile, in the wake of Phil Spencer's departure from Xbox, there are many more queries about the nature of the next-gen machine and Microsoft's strategy. But there's more! Are we already seeing the limits of Switch 2 RT and what if Microsoft had partnered with Nvidia for Xbox Series machinery - could that have changed the outcome of the console "war"...? 00:55 Supporter Q1: What games are you excited to test with the new PSSR? 06:14 Supporter Q2: Is the new PSSR override a game-changer for PS5 Pro? 10:39 Supporter Q3: With new PSSR imminent, why won’t AMD release their INT 8 version of FSR 4? 14:41 Supporter Q4: Can DF remain fair and impartial on new PSSR? 20:38 Supporter Q5: Will Windows on next-gen Xbox be ‘full-fledged’? 24:20 Supporter Q6: Should Microsoft change tack on next gen Xbox and release a Series S replacement? 27:25 Supporter Q7: Is ray tracing on Switch 2 too much for AAA games like Resident Evil: Requiem? 36:36 Supporter Q8: What would Xbox Series look like if Microsoft had opted for Nvidia tech over AMD? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Direct, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma tells us that "the plan's the plan until it's not the plan" - so is there actually a new strategy at all? Meanwhile, with Bluepoint cut loose from Sony, could the firm deliver the remasters/remakes that Xbox needs? The team discuss Death Stranding 2 specs and the "quietening" of PlayStation PC releases more generally before moving on to reaction to the Mario Wonder Switch 2 Edition reveal? There's a new PSSR patent worth talking about and... finally... what did we know about RE Requiem's new PSSR tech pre-review? 0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:34 News 1: Where Next For Xbox? Asha Sharma First Interview 0:30:47 News 2: Should Microsoft hire Bluepoint? 0:42:21 News 3: Death Stranding 2 PC specs drop 0:50:55 News 4: Super Mario Wonder Switch 2 Edition previewed 0:57:21 News 5: Could new Sony upscaler tech replace DRS? 1:06:39 Content discussion: reflecting on Requiem Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our second spin-off Q+A show, we tackle the gaping hole in DF Direct Weekly #252 - the gigaton news that Phil Spencer is retiring from Xbox, Sarah Bond is leading and Asha Sharma is in as EVP and CEO. The team share their initial reactions to the next and wonder what happens next. Beyond that, Sony's strategies are under the microscope, there's a focus on PS5 Pro's fortunes when PS6 appears and finally, will the RAM crisis go as far as impacting game design? 00:00 Supporter Q1: What do you make of the sudden departure of Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond from Microsoft? 20:09 Supporter Q2: Should Sony change their PC strategy and offer a game launcher? 27:12 Supporter Q3: Will the PS5 Pro prove its worth in the PS6 era? 33:23 Supporter Q4: How will Sony more aggressively monetize their install base? 37:20 Supporter Q5: How will RAMageddon impact game design? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Direct was recorded pre-Phil Spencer retirement news, but we'll be on that imminently. In the meantime, Rich, John and Alex talk Bluepoint Games, a prospective PS6 delay, Steam Deck stock issues, Square-Enix's plans for FF7R Part 3 multiplatform deployment, DLSS winning blind tests against native rendering and FSR 4 and some bizarre IQ issues with Xenoblade Chronicles X on Switch 2. And finally, Alex tells all about his back issues and his journey towards a healthy, pain-free recovery. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:25 News 1: Sony closing Bluepoint Games 0:25:25 News 2: Report: Sony considering 1-2 year PS6 delay 0:36:10 News 3: Steam Deck goes out of stock in multiple regions 0:45:03 News 4: Director: FF7R part 3 won’t be compromised by multi-plat strategy 0:52:53 News 5: ComputerBase blind tests peg DLSS 4.5 as upscaling champ 0:58:50 News 6: Xenoblade Chronicles X has bizarre Switch 2 image quality 1:06:08 Content Discussion: Alex’s spine struggles and new standing desk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first spin-off Q+A show, it's pretty clear what the community is discussing: what's going on with Unreal Engine 5 games in terms of image quality and performance? Are compromised experiences now "part of the furniture" or can/will something be done? Beyond that, we discuss how YouTube quality issues impact our work, whether gaming laptops serve any purpose in the era of the handheld, whether you should play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2 and if Nvidia really has left the gamer behind. And finally, if we could bring back/remaster/remake any old game, what would it be? 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Supporter Q1: Should we challenge Unreal Engine performance issues more often? 23:14 Supporter Q2: Why do people mistake YouTube issues for game issues? 31:03 Supporter Q3: Do gaming laptops make sense in an era of Switch 2 and PC handhelds? 39:04 Supporter Q4: Is Death Stranding 2 a good point to jump in if you haven’t played the original? 41:50 Supporter Q5: Why is Nvidia skipping new consumer GPU releases this year? 52:02 Supporter Q6: Which game would you rescue from obsolete hardware? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a big State of Play reaction video as Sony spills the beans on a colossal range of games across a 72 minute magnum opus. John, Oliver and Rich share their thoughts on all the key games that were revealed or showcased in more depth before moving on to other matters. Rich gets a look at DLSS dynamic multi frame-gen and starts to get more of an idea of where graphics technology is heading, while Oliver and John discuss the Unreal Engine 5 image quality/performance comments raised by the audience in the wake of the High on Life 2 review. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:17 News 1: Sony’s jam-packed State of Play: God of War Trilogy Remake, God of War: Sons of Sparta 0:09:46 Saros 0:15:59 Death Stranding 2 PC 0:22:31 Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse 0:36:38 Silent Hill: Townfall 0:42:01 Star Wars: Galactic Racer 0:48:40 Kena: Scars of Kosmora, Control Resonant, 0:58:08 Crimson Moon, Yakoh Shinobi Ops, Project Windless, Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition, Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered, Rev. NOiR, Untitled John Wick Game, 007 First Light 1:07:56 News 2: Rich tries DLSS Dynamic Multi Frame Gen! 1:20:13 DF Content Discussion: Did we go too easy on High on Life 2? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices