Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

A big DF Direct Weekly hoves into view in the wake of another week of BIG news in the gaming/technology space. Rich, Alex and Oliver discuss Jim Ryan's upcoming retirement from Sony and the legacy he leaves behind, and there's a sombre tone as the scale of Epic Games' staff layoffs becomes clear. In happier news, Alex shares more of his thoughts and hopes for Alan Wake 2, while the possibilities of the PC port of Horizon Forbidden West are talked through. Meanwhile... are we reading too much into the fact a new patch for the PC version of Batman: Arkham Knight is in development?0:00:00 Introduction0:00:53 News 01: Jim Ryan to retire as head of Sony Interactive Entertainment0:19:59 News 02: Epic Games lays off 830 staff0:39:51 News 03: New Alan Wake 2 footage released0:50:01 News 04: Horizon Forbidden West getting PC release0:58:59 News 05: Resident Evil 4 remake to cost $60 on iPhone1:07:09 News 06: Arkham Knight Steam update sparks remaster hopes1:16:01 Supporter Q1: How will CD Projekt Red fare with Unreal Engine 5? Will they be able to implement a path-traced renderer?1:23:36 Supporter Q2: How do the console versions of Cyberpunk 2077 stack up in terms of PC settings?1:29:07 Supporter Q3: Could Intel be in a position to deliver a next-gen console chip?1:34:03 Supporter Q4: Could Microsoft ship a next-gen Xbox handheld?1:37:00 Supporter Q5: What do you think of the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally? Will they last long?1:42:42 Supporter Q6: Is it better to buy a high-end GPU now, or wait until more AI features are implemented in hardware?1:48:11 Supporter Q7: Given how poorly Elon Musk’s tenure as Twitter owner has gone, are you considering switching to other social media sites?1:53:14 Supporter Q8: If Oliver’s TV died, would he switch to an OLED? And can he please grow his hair out longer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a packed show, it's Rich, Alex and Oliver at mics, discussing their first reactions to the Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty expansion, the sorry state of Mortal Kombat 1 on Nintendo Switch, and what to expect from Switch 2 performance based on Bobby Kotick's comments. Meanwhile, downtime on The Matrix Awakens demo returns us to the topic of online DRM, while we ask our audience to weigh in with their thoughts on the process of reviewing graphics cards in the era of DLSS and reconstruction technologies.0:00:00 Introduction0:00:55 News 01: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty reaction!0:11:36 News 02: We need to talk about GPU reviews0:34:00 News 03: Mortal Kombat 1 on Switch has performance, visual issues0:46:13 News 04: Switch 2 reportedly close to PS4, Xbox One power0:51:01 News 05: The Matrix Awakens goes offline… then returns!0:56:32 Supporter Q1: How do you think Nintendo and Sony will react to the Microsoft next-gen console proposal leak?1:01:34 Supporter Q2: For hybrid cloud gaming, what features should be on the cloud and which should remain on local hardware?1:09:54 Supporter Q3: What can be done to convince gamers of the importance of the CPU for game performance?1:15:10 Supporter Q4: Are frame-rate limiters the responsibility of the game developers, or hardware manufacturers?1:20:54 Supporter Q5: Couldn’t games self-adjust to hit a target frame-rate on PC? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of the biggest video games leak in recent memory, the Digital Foundry team come together to discuss the now infamous Xbox PDF leak. The refresh Xbox Series console specs are discussed and the team share their thoughts on Microsoft's direction for its next-gen machine. Is another AMD-based machine and 'the power of the cloud' ambitious enough for a new piece of 2028 hardware?0:00:00 Introduction0:02:48 The end of physical media?0:14:55 Revised Series X, Series S consoles incoming0:36:02 Updated Xbox controller in the works0:41:51 Microsoft’s next-gen console proposal1:04:53 Supporter Q1: Can Sony really pull off a cost-effective, powerful “PS5 Pro” console to put Microsoft under pressure?1:11:02 Supporter Q2: Could Microsoft scrap some of their console plans because of this leak?1:14:50 Supporter Q3: Which leak is bigger, the Xbox FTC leak or Jensen’s Prophecy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The onslaught of new gaming and technical stories continues, making for another BIG episode of DF Direct Weekly. John, Rich and Alex discuss the big games at the Sony State of Play and Nintendo Direct, before looking into the promised upgrades to Starfield - which look a lot like a direct response to John and Alex's review critiques. Meanwhile, Rich examines the new Immortals of Aveum patch, while there's a general sense of excitement about the line-up of triple-A games coming to the latest iPhone 15 Pro and Max.0:00:00 Introduction0:01:35 News 01: Sony September State of Play0:37:42 News 02: September Nintendo Direct0:49:58 News 03: Starfield post-release update plans detailed!0:55:03 News 04: Horizon Forbidden West to hit PC?0:59:04 News 05: Immortals of Aveum patched, developer cuts staff1:07:16 News 06: iPhone 15 Pro gets ray tracing support, big budget games1:15:16 Supporter Q1: With compromised releases like Jedi: Survivor, don’t publishers realize they are leaving sales on the table? And will Respawn disable some of the game’s problematic screen-space reflections?1:23:21 Supporter Q2: Are the higher-end versions of a given graphics card worth it?1:27:30 Supporter Q3: Which GPU of the past gave you the feeling that it was a quality product?1:31:22 Supporter Q4: Is it possible that the Switch 2 could exceed the RT abilities of current-gen consoles?1:34:25 Supporter Q5: Now that the PS5 Pro rumours have firmed up, do you think the console is worthwhile?1:41:11 Supporter Q6: What is something happening in gaming right now that makes you happy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A packed week of news as John, Rich and Oliver discuss the shock Switch 2 tech demo leaks - what should we expect from the system in the wake of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Matrix Awakens leaks? Meanwhile, John's excited about Daytona 2's upcoming arrival via emulation, while Oliver shares initial impressions on the new Star Wars Jedi: Survivor patch that improves the 60fps performance mode. Rich shares RX 7800 XT impressions, while it quickly emerges that corrective lenses are the unsung heroes of the whole Digital Foundry enterprise.0:00:00 Introduction0:00:42 News 01: Next-gen Switch demoed with BOTW, Matrix Awakens0:23:30 News 02: Daytona USA 2 re-release incoming! 0:32:51 News 03: Paid, DRM-laden DLSS 3 Starfield mod cracked0:40:40 News 04: Jedi: Survivor patch improves performance mode 0:52:19 News 05: AMD releases RX 7700 XT, RX 7800 XT GPUs1:14:20 News 06: Interviewer asks: why didn’t Todd Howard optimize Starfield on PC?1:21:58 Supporter Q1: Will the Switch successor rely on the same cartridges as Switch 1?1:26:03 Supporter Q2: Will Nintendo do “next-gen” patches for existing Switch games?1:29:38 Supporter Q3: Do you think Nintendo could use a discrete dock-only GPU for the new Switch?1:33:28 Supporter Q4: Why hasn’t Bethesda switched to Id Tech for all their games?1:37:86 Supporter Q5: Have you considered reporting GPU wattage when benchmarking PC games? 1:40:29 Supporter Q6: Are corrective lenses the unsung heroes of Digital Foundry? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts discuss Starfield's 30 FPS cap and its effect on gameplay. They explore ways to improve the visual experience through HDR adjustments and DLSS support. They also touch on the upgrades to the Creation Engine, the lighting system, and the impact of console exclusivity on Starfield. They share their overall thoughts on the game and mention upcoming releases.

The hosts discuss Starfield reviews and Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox. They talk about the limitations of FSR 3 on consoles. The closure of Volition is mentioned. They share impressions of Sonic Superstars and Armored Core 6. They answer supporter questions about the Switch 2 and remastered games. The podcast also touches on game reviews, pixel art games, and giving awards to video games.

With Rich, John and Alex meeting up together at Gamescom for the first time since 2019, this one is a very different, very special DF Direct Weekly. The team discuss Starfield at Gamescom and their meeting with Phil Spencer and Todd Howard, before ploughing on into their reaction to the FSR and AMD Fluid Motion Frames demonstration they saw at the show. Meanwhile, Nvidia takes things to the next level with DLSS 3.5 ray reconstruction, there's reaction to the latest PlayStation Portal disclosures, STALKER 2 hands-on and much, much more.0:00:00 Introduction0:00:45 News 01: Gamescom Starfield impressions!0:12:06 News 02: AMD shows off FSR 30:27:54 News 03: AMD demos Fluid Motion Frames0:36:54 News 04: DLSS 3.5 Ray Reconstruction revealed0:56:12 News 05: PlayStation Portal named, detailed1:00:09 News 06: MGS Collection targets 1080p, 720p1:06:31 News 07: STALKER 2 demoed at Gamescom1:14:24 News 08: New Nightdive remasters unveiled1:23:51 Supporter Q1: What are the benefits for DF to go to Gamescom? What does a typical Gamescom day look like?1:30:10 Supporter Q2: Could XeSS be viable on current-gen console hardware?1:31:11 Supporter Q3: How do you feel about your various signature phrases? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another big DF Direct Weekly 'drops' as John, Rich and Alex look forward to visiting Gamescom 2023, a range of big Intel news is discussed and new information emerges on Immortals of Aveum in the wake of a extensive tech interview. Meanwhile, the mooted demise of the Xbox 360 store is lamented, while John raves about Bomb Rush Cyberfunk - a 'spiritual successor' to Jet Set Radio.00:00:00 Introduction00:01:20 News 01: Gamescom: what to expect!00:19:07 News 02: Intel update: Arc DX11 driver, PresentMon Benchmarking00:39:28 News 03: Xbox 360 store shutting down00:51:35 News 04: Immortals of Aveum tech interview01:00:52 News 05: Bomb Rush Cyberfunk launches01:08:36 Should we expect most UE5 titles to struggle with performance? And are upsampling technologies just a crutch in lieu of optimization?01:23:40 Are you pleased or dissatisfied that the rumoured RTX 4090 Ti may not be getting a release?01:27:26 Could path tracing be beneficial or highly stylized games?01:31:25 The end of the year will be loaded with titles, so how are you planning to keep up?01:35:55 There’s a wide price difference between Microsoft’s Xbox storage cards and regular SSDs. Should Microsoft try to lower their prices?01:40:03 Would moving gaming towards a single platform be beneficial for the industry?01:44:54 What are the best phrases to use for a Digital Foundry drinking game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest DF Direct Weekly, John, Rich and Alex discuss the controversy surrounding the Red Dead Redemption conversions, Mark Cerny gets in touch to reveal more about PlayStation 5's Dolby Atmos support, a brace of leaks look set to confirm a new PlayStation 5 model with detachable optical drive - but it's not looking particularly slim. Meanwhile, RDNA4 rumours are discussed, while John shares impressions on the Quake 2 Remaster and new 4K retro scaler, RetroTink 4K.00:00:00 Introduction00:03:36 News 01: Red Dead Redemption ports announced00:20:04 News 02: Mark Cerny on PS5 Dolby Atmos00:34:00 News 03: Revised PS5 model appears in apparent leaks00:48:53 News 04: RDNA 4 to skip high-end GPUs?01:11:35 News 05: Sony starts testing PS5 cloud streaming01:20:16 News 06: Quake 2 remaster released!01:30:56 News 07: RetroTink 4K: John’s impressions01:42:41 Supporter Q1: Has John recovered from Sonic 2006 yet?01:47:27 Supporter Q2: With limited competition and a lucrative server market, will Nvidia GPUs become a worse gaming value in the future?01:54:48 Supporter Q3: Why are PC game frame-rate limiters often so poor?02:04:38 Supporter Q4: Could older 3D games prove unsuitable for ray tracing upgrades?02:11:40 Supporter Q5: Given that DLSS 3 works best at high frame-rates, might it prove unsuitable for a hypothetical Switch 2?02:15:47 Supporter Q6: Rich is in the credits for Panzer Dragoon Saga! Is anyone else at DF in a game’s credits? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices