The WAN Show Gamers Overwhelmingly Prefer Fake Resolution - WAN Show February 20, 2026
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Feb 21, 2026 They debate Phil Spencer's departure and what new leadership means for console strategy. They dig into DLSS 4.5 blind-test wins and how extreme upscaling reshapes gaming. Storage shortages, WD selling capacity to AI data centers, and SATA SSD returns get a deep dive. Tech policy and ethics pop up with Meta's simulated-deceased patent and F-35 software control concerns.
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AI Upscaling Accelerates Cloud-First Gaming
- Upscaling and frame-generation AI are accelerating a shift where cloud rendering could host experiences impossible locally.
- That shift may push gaming toward remote heavy compute and subscription models over local ownership.
Host Sensitive Data Locally
- If you care about privacy, set up a local NAS with user-friendly software like HexOS/TrueNAS.
- Local storage avoids handing sensitive photos and data to cloud platforms that may mine or leak them.
AI Data Centers Consume HDD Capacity
- Western Digital says HDD production capacity is effectively sold out for 2026 due to AI datacenter demand.
- This has pushed consumer HDD supply down and prices sharply up as cloud demand dominates output.