Digital Foundry Direct Weekly DF Direct Weekly #250: Steam Machine Delay, Next-Gen Xbox SoC in 2027, Nintendo Direct Reaction!
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Feb 9, 2026 A wide-ranging tech and games chat covering Valve's Steam Machine delay and supply issues. Discussion of AMD saying a next-gen Xbox SoC could target 2027 and what that means. Reactions to Nintendo Partner Direct and several Switch 2 port concerns. Intel Panther Lake laptop tests at low power and a new Resident Evil DRM that may hurt PC performance.
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Steam Machine Delayed And Repositioned
- Valve delayed the Steam Machine into H1 2026 citing rising RAM and SSD costs, and may price it more like a PC than a console.
- They're using extra time to improve HDMI VRR support, upscaling, and driver ray-tracing performance.
Don't Sell Hardware By Fixed Resolution
- Avoid promising fixed resolutions or frame-rates for a device; Alex warns FSR claims are nebulous and misleading.
- Frame expectations should be tied to titles, not blanket hardware labels like "4K60 machine."
Oblivion Port Shows Mixed Technical State
- Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2 shows apparent 1080p/30fps footage with major AA issues and possible mixed-source clips.
- The port may retain some UE lumen effects but faces engine and porting weaknesses seen on PC and consoles.