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DF Direct Weekly #264: PS5 Path Tracing Tested, FSR 4.1 For RDNA 2/3, 007 First Light Hits 60FPS!
17 mei 2026 · 1 uur 24 min
PS5 Linux continues to yield dividends as Rich tests path tracing on PS5 with Quake 2 RTX, Portal RTX and Cyberpunk 2077 RT Overdrive (!) on Sony's console. Beyond that, there's great news with the announcement of FSR 4.1 coming to older Radeon graphics cards, and there's a hint that Xbox may have some kind of "disc to digital" way to bring your physical purchases over to a potentially disc-less Project Helix. Finally, the team celebrate a duo of key anniversaries - Uncharted 4 and Doom 2016! Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:03 News 1: Path tracing tested on PS5!
0:22:07 News 2: FSR 4.1 coming to RDNA 2/3
0:36:07 News 3: New 007 First Light footage shows 60fps PS5 Pro gameplay
0:46:23 News 4: Report suggests Xbox “disc to digital” program may be coming
0:57:18 Retrospective: 10 year Uncharted 4 anniversary
1:09:36 Retrospective: 10 year Doom (2016) anniversary
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DF Direct Q+A: Do We Actually Need Next-Gen Graphics? Can Switch 2 Last 6-7 Years? Switch 2 OLED?
12 mei 2026 · 56 min
Another packed Direct Q+A show sees Oliver, Rich and Alex getting to grips with high-end graphics: are they actually worth it and are technological advances worth pushing? Meanwhile, can Switch 2 last for the 6-7 years Nintendo wants it to - or will next-gen consoles make it obsolete for multi-platform titles? All this and more in the new Direct Q+A Show. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Supporter Q1: Is the high end PC experience really worth it? Should we stop pushing top-tier visuals in general?
11:07 Supporter Q2: Will we have to wait years for a SWOLED 2? What should we make of Nintendo’s reported increase in R&D spend?
19:44 Supporter Q3: Can Switch 2 handle another 6 or 7 years of cross-gen software?
24:46 Supporter Q4: Given inflation, isn’t it true that gaming hardware today is relatively cheap?
31:02 Supporter Q5: Could Microsoft ship a version of Windows for Xbox Series?
35:36 Supporter Q6: Will Project Helix hardware prove tempting for AI users?
39:09 Supporter Q7: Is PC emulation on Android ready for prime time?
44:04 Supporter Q8: What would you do in 2026 with an old 10-series PC?
49:17 Supporter Q9: How much does Oliver cut out of DF Direct every week?
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DF Direct Weekly #263: Star Fox Returns, Switch 2 Price Hike, Nvidia GTX 10-Series 10th Anniversary!
11 mei 2026 · 1 uur 21 min
In this week's Direct, Oliver, John and Rich get to grips with the reveal of Nintendo's Star Fox remake for Switch 2, there's justified concern over the Nintendo price hike for its new console, while Activision confirms that the next Call of Duty will finally leave last generation hardware behind. Meanwhile, the Pragmata resolution saga continues with an undocumented resolution hike for the PlayStation 5 Professional, while Pragmata (again) has an unconventional way to boost performance on Switch 2. And finally, the panel mark the 10th anniversary of Nvidia's remarkable Pascal architecture. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:19 News 1: Nintendo reveals Star Fox!
0:17:18 News 2: Nintendo increases Switch 2 prices
0:27:38 News 3: Next Call of Duty drops PS4
0:39:05 News 4: Pragmata gets surprise PS5 Pro resolution bump
0:46:39 News 5: Switch 2 GameChat can boost game performance!
0:56:24 News 6: Nvidia 10 series hits 10 year anniversary!
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DF Direct Q+A: Is Project Helix A Console Or PC? Will Non-RT Modes Get Worse Over Time? Neo Geo AES+
7 mei 2026 · 54 min
A new Q+A show sees John, Rich and Alex tackle a number of big questions. Is Project Helix a console or PC? What's the difference nowadays anyway? Will Microsoft's "K2" initiative win back users lamenting the Windows experience? Meanwhile, with no games focusing on ray tracing, will rasterised fallbacks decline in quality going forward? All this and much, much more. Lees meer
00:00 Introduction
00:50 Supporter Q1: When does a console become a PC?
10:27 Supporter Q2: What should we expect from Microsoft’s “K2” plan for Windows?
21:33 Supporter Q3: Will developers stop caring about their raster-only graphics?
34:19 Supporter Q4: What do you think of the Neo Geo AES+?
39:19 Supporter Q5: Why is Intel starting to ignore gaming dGPUs?
44:54 Supporter Q6: Is using frame gen to get to 30fps acceptable?
51:12 Supporter Q7: Do you know what pico means in Chilean Spanish?
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DF Direct Weekly #262: PS5 Linux Steam Gaming Tested vs PS5, Oblivion Remastered Still "Broken"
4 mei 2026 · 1 uur 13 min
Exploited PS5s can now run Linux - so obviously we had to check it out, running Steam versions of Crimson Desert, Black Myth Wukong and Pragmata on Linux via Steam, stacked up against the actual PS5 versions - with some fascinating results. Meanwhile, Alex talks us through an amazing tech presentation from the developers of Teardown, John impresses us with his new Anbernic RG477M, Tom provides us test data to prove that Oblivion Remastered is indeed still "broken", while Rich and Alex come to terms with the fact that it's time to say goodbye to the Ryzen 5 3600.0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:15 News 1: Linux gaming on PS5 tested! 0:26:31 News 2: Teardown devs highlight voxel ray tracing enhancements0:38:10 News 3: Anbernic retro handheld tested! 0:50:31 News 4: Oblivion Remastered is still broken 0:59:29 News 5: Saying goodbye to the Ryzen 5 3600 Lees meer
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DF Direct Q+A: Will Path Tracing Go Mainsteam? Will Oblivion Remastered Ever Get Fixed?
29 april 2026 · 57 min
Some excellent questions from Digital Foundry Supporters this week. Does the F1 25 PS5 Pro path tracing demo and ReSTIR optimisations mean that path tracing is going mainstream - maybe for next gen? Is there still untapped potential in PS5 and Series X? Is Microsoft's new "We Are Xbox" strategy document just a massive balloon of hot air? Is Nvidia making path tracing an exclusive feature and what do we think about that? And... a year on from release, why Oblivion Remastered still broken?00:00 Introduction 00:35 Supporter Q1: Will path tracing efficiency improvements bring PT to current gen console games? 12:30 Supporter Q2: Is there still untapped potential in PS5 and Series X?19:25 Supporter Q3: Have we hit the peak of ML image reconstruction? 27:45 Supporter Q4: Why is path tracing exclusive to Nvidia in so many recent games? 32:54 Supporter Q5: Will Oblivion Remastered ever be fixed? 39:57 Supporter Q6: Would games really run 30% faster if they were optimized for Intel CPUs? 45:31 Supporter Q7: Do Microsoft’s recent Xbox promises mean anything? Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #261: F1 25 PS5 Pro Path Tracing Demo, AC Black Flag Resynced, New Xbox Strategy
27 april 2026 · 1 uur 28 min
A new DF Direct arrives and with it, some remarkable news that failed to emerge from this year's GDC - namely that Codemasters has a demo of path tracing working on the PS5 Pro version of F1 25. How good is it? How fast is it? Alex clues us in. Meanwhile, the team discuss the AC Black Flag Resynced reveal, Tom looks at Mouse PI For Hire across several platforms and there's much excitement about the prospect of Panther Lake arriving in the handheld space. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:03 News 1: GDC talk: F1 25 path tracing implemented on PS5 Pro0:20:22 News 2: LiberNovo Omni Chair [Sponsored] 0:33:15 News 3: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced revealed! 0:44:09 News 4: Game Pass Ultimate price slashed, Call of Duty access restricted1:03:05 News 5: News 5: Mouse: P.I. For Hire tested! 1:18:11 News 6: Intel planning Panther Lake handheld reveal
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DF Direct Q+A: Will PSSR Lower Game Resolutions? Starfield Switch 2, Is RTX 5080 OK For Path Tracing
22 april 2026 · 49 min
The latest Q+A show sees Rich, Oliver and Alex discussing a range of topics. If PSSR2 looks good at lower resolutions than the standard PS5 version, should developers focus on higher settings? There are plus and minus points. Should Nintendo add 120Hz and VRR support on Switch 2 when running Switch 1 software? Is an RTX 5080 good enough for path tracing? And should Sony's more affordable next-gen console actually live in the cloud? Lees meer
00:00 Introduction
01:18 News 1: Why do developers keep increasing internal resolutions in their PS5 Pro games with PSSR?
08:57 News 2: Could Nintendo add 120Hz support or VRR for Switch 1 software on Switch 2?
15:04 News 3: Should studios develop game engine specific upscalers like PICO?
23:36 News 4: Can we solve uncapped frame-rates by capping the display to 30Hz? And why doesn’t Capcom cap their games?
29:25 News 5: What will the rumoured Switch 2 Starfield port look like?
35:23 News 6: Should I get an RTX 5080 for path traced games?
40:36 News 7: Should Sony offer a PS6 Cloud Edition?Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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DF Direct Weekly #260: Metro 2039 Looks Phenomenal, Ryzen 5800X3D Returns, Starfield PS5 Crash Fix?
21 april 2026 · 1 uur 5 min
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 incoming0:33:16 News 4: Asha Sharma: Game Pass is too expensive 0:44:16 News 5: Report: Ryzen 5800X3D to return0:54:33 Content discussion: is Pragmata on PS5 1080p or 1440p? Lees meer
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DF Direct Q+A: Should Nintendo Make A Switch 2 Home Console? Is Console Gaming Stagnating?
15 april 2026 · 52 min
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? Lees meer
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?
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DF Direct Weekly #259: Pragmata Tested, Forza Horizon 6, Samson Disappointment, Nvidia N1 Leaks
13 april 2026 · 1 uur 24 min
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 Introduction
0:00:56 News 1: Pragmata tested on PC!
0:15:09 News 2: Forza Horizon 6 impresses in new previews
0:26:06 News 3 Samson proves deeply disappointing
0:48:12 News 4: Nvidia talks path tracing advances at GDC
1:02:21 News 5: Nvidia N1 motherboard leaks
1:12:14 News 6: Super Mario Brothers demoed on Sega Master System Lees meerHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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DF Direct Q+A: The Big PlayStation 6 Pricing Debate + Will It Support Physical Media?
8 april 2026 · 52 min
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? Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #258: Crimson Desert Switch 2, New PS6 Leaks, DLSS Dynamic Multi Frame-Gen
6 april 2026 · 1 uur 28 min
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&D0:12:08 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 Lees meer
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DF Direct Q+A: The $600 PlayStation 5 Debate, PS5 Pro vs PC Pricing, Ocarina of Time Remake
2 april 2026 · 50 min
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 Introduction01:33 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? Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #257: Fallout 4 Switch 2 DLSS Tested, Forza Horizon 6 RT, Jensen Defends DLSS 5
30 maart 2026 · 1 uur 24 min
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. Lees meer
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DF Direct Q+A: The Future Of PSSR, Crimson Desert Intel Issues, DRS vs Dynamic Frame-Gen
24 maart 2026 · 41 min
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 Introduction00:48 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? Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #256: Crimson Desert PS5, Cerny Speaks On PSSR, Nintendo Handheld Boost, CP2077 Pro
23 maart 2026 · 1 uur 32 min
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 Lees meer
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DF Direct Q+A: The Big DLSS 5 ML Debate + Why We Should Have Waited With Our Coverage
18 maart 2026 · 55 min
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. Lees meer
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 547:15 Dealing with harassment and concluding thoughts
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DF Direct Weekly #255: Xbox's Big Helix Reveal, Witcher 4 Path Tracing, Crimson Desert Specs
15 maart 2026 · 1 uur 29 min
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. Lees meer
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
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DF Direct Q+A: The Big Project Helix Discussion, Helix vs PS6, Dynamic PSN Pricing
10 maart 2026 · 51 min
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? Lees meer
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?
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DF Direct Weekly #254: Xbox Project Helix, Sony Exiting PC? Starfield PS5, Crimson Desert Console!
9 maart 2026 · 1 uur 14 min
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. Lees meer
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DF Direct Q+A: The Big "PSSR2" Discussion - What Happens Next & What Should We Expect?
4 maart 2026 · 43 min
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"...? Lees meer
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?
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DF Direct Weekly #253: Xbox Post-Spencer Aftermath, Should MS Hire Bluepoint? Mario Wonder Switch 2!
2 maart 2026 · 1 uur 23 min
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 Introduction0:00:34 News 1: Where Next For Xbox? Asha Sharma First Interview0:30:47 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 previewed0:57:21 News 5: Could new Sony upscaler tech replace DRS? 1:06:39 Content discussion: reflecting on Requiem Lees meer
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DF Direct Q+A: Phil Spencer Retires From Xbox... So What Happens Next?
25 februari 2026 · 45 min
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? Lees meer
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?
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DF Direct Weekly #252: Sony Kills Bluepoint, PS6 Delayed? Xenoblade Switch 2 Issues, DLSS IQ Champ!
23 februari 2026 · 1 uur 19 min
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. Lees meer
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
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DF Direct Q+A: The Big Unreal Engine 5 Image Quality/Performance Debate
18 februari 2026 · 57 min
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 Introduction01:05 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? Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #251: God of War Trilogy, MGS 4, Control Resonant, Silent Hill Townfall!
16 februari 2026 · 1 uur 36 min
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. Lees meer
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 Saros0:15:59 Death Stranding 2 PC0:22:31 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?
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DF Direct Weekly #250: Steam Machine Delay, Next-Gen Xbox SoC in 2027, Nintendo Direct Reaction!
9 februari 2026 · 2 uur 21 min
In a slightly extended 250th episode, Rich is joined by Oliver, Alex and John for a huge discussion across a range of topics. Valve's still not able to tell us when Steam Machine is coming out, but the projected Q1 release now seems to be H1 instead. Meanwhile, AMD's Dr Lisa Su says that the next-gen Xbox SoC is on track for a 2027 console release... but will the console actually release in 2027? Beyond that, all the reaction to the big Nintendo Direct Direct, Rich reveals that Intel Panther Lake can beat Xbox Series S at 30W, while Alex's tests on the latest Resident Evil 4 update for PC suggest that new DRM can have an impact on game performance. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:38 News 1: Valve: RAM and storage shortages will affect Steam Machine 0:15:51 News 2: AMD: we can support a 2027 Xbox launch 0:32:54 News 3: Nintendo Partner Direct: Oblivion Remastered 0:39:27 Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle 0:50:13 Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth 0:58:51 Pragmata1:07:36 Rave Racer, Goemon, Orbitals, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Tales of Arise 1:11:09 News 4: Co-op Horizon game breaks cover 1:21:34 News 5: Intel Panther Lake tested at 30W! 1:33:55 News 6: New Resident Evil DRM hurts performance1:44:47 Supporter Q1: Could the UE5 denoiser issue affect other upscalers like PSSR? 1:50:15 Supporter Q2: Could path tracing trample on a developer’s artistic vision? 1:53:59 Supporter Q3: Is Genie 3 the end of game development? 2:00:12 Supporter Q4: What are the rules of the OptiPlex challenge? 2:11:52 Supporter Q5: What’s hiding in the 61K unread emails in Oliver’s inbox? 2:15:20 Supporter Q6: Happy 250th episode! Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #249: Ryzen 9850X3D Review, Handheld PS4, Kingdom Come Deliverance Console Upgrade!
2 februari 2026 · 2 uur 3 min
A bit of a quiet week, where even the launch of the new CPU gaming champion doesn't quite live up to its billing. Rich talks 9850X3D, John talks 9800X3D system building, while a custom-built handheld PS4 perhaps gives us a hint of the PlayStation handheld to come. John's been playing the Banjo-Kazooie decompilation project and memories are shared on the event of Duke Nukem 3D's 30th birthday. And a current-gen console upgrade for Kingdom Come: Deliverance? Sounds like a good idea! Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction0:01:32 News 1: AMD releases chart-topping 9850X3D processor 0:19:19 News 2: Can you build an affordable PC in 2026? 0:41:58 News 3: Banjo-Kazooie recompilation released 0:52:17 News 4: Modder builds portable PS4 handheld 1:00:04 News 5: Kingdom Come: Deliverance current-gen enhancement leaks 1:08:08 News 6: Celebrating Duke Nukem 3D’s 30th anniversary 1:25:10 Supporter Q1: Why doesn’t AMD release an RDNA 4 based SoC for handhelds? 1:30:48 Supporter Q2: Why might Rockstar delay a physical GTA 6 release? 1:36:56 Supporter Q3: If PS6 is delayed to 2029, will Sony improve the hardware? 1:43:21 Supporter Q4: Will cross-gen PS5/6 titles run at 30fps on PS5? 1:49:59 Supporter Q5: What are your expectations for Nvidia’s 6000 series GPUs?
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DF Direct Weekly #248: Forza Horizon 6, Fable, FF7R Xbox, Switch 2 Game Boosts, Saturn Ray Tracing!
26 januari 2026 · 1 uur 53 min
The best gaming showcase event returns - Xbox Developer_underscore_Direct has a proven track record of delivering excellent presentations of impressive games, and the latest is no exception. Rich, John and Oliver discuss Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Beast of Reincarnation and Kiln, before moving onto a brace of Switch 2 enhanced titles, plus a look at the Xbox versions of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. And yes - Sega Saturn ray tracing. It's real and it's spectacular. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:00 News 1: Developer_Direct 2026 - Forza Horizon 6 0:16:00 Fable 0:31:27 Beast of Reincarnation 0:37:27 Kiln 0:45:50 News 2: DKC Returns gets fixes, Switch 2 boosts + Animal Crossing’s odd Switch 2 Edition 0:58:49 News 3: Final Fantasy 7 Remake tested on Xbox Series!1:06:43 News 4: Modder builds 3-in-1 Switch/Xbox/PlayStation 1:17:41 Supporter Q1: Why hasn’t Microsoft announced more Switch 2 games? 1:22:03 Supporter Q2: Should Rockstar give PS5 Pro a 40fps mode in GTA 6? 1:27:58 Supporter Q3: Could Microsoft pull out of gaming hardware in favour of cloud gaming? 1:33:52 Supporter Q4: What’s a game everyone loved, but you hated? 1:41:22 Supporter Q5 Is RDNA 5 hyped too much? 1:45:46 Supporter Q6: Now that the Saturn can do ray tracing, should we ditch our current-gen machines?
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DF Direct Weekly #247: Monster Hunter PC Perf Drama, Mario 64 Dreamcast Port, RE Requiem Looks Hot!
19 januari 2026 · 1 uur 48 min
Another week, another controversy surrounding Monster Hunter Wilds PC performance - but perhaps this time we're looking at more of a silly bug than a game-breaking issue. John clues us in on a remarkable port of Super Mario 64 for the Sega Dreamcast (!), offers up opinions on Code Vein 2 on PS5 and shares his excitement for the latest Resident Evil Requiem disclosures. There's comment on the RTX 5070 Ti discontinuation reports and general bafflement on what's going on with 007 First Light's PC specs. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction0:01:00 News 1: Monster Hunter DLC checks drag PC performance 0:19:37 News 2: RE Requiem trailer showcases dual protagonist gameplay 0:27:34 News 3: RTX 5070 Ti “discontinuation” fracas0:44:27 News 4: Super Mario 64 ported to Dreamcast 0:56:27 News 5: 007 First Light gets updated PC requirements1:05:10 News 6: John previews Code Vein 2! 1:09:37 Supporter Q1: How should we pick between DLSS 4.0 and 4.5? 1:19:27 Supporter Q2: What’s a tech that you championed early - for better or for worse? 1:32:57 Supporter Q3: Why do Unreal Engine games on consoles have no shader gathering issues? 1:35:52 Supporter Q4: After the Switch 2 rumour cycle, have you changed your approach to evaluating unverified info? 1:42:55 Supporter Q5: Did Alex ‘raw dog’ his trip to CES?
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DF Direct Weekly #246: The BIG CES Special - Hardware Highlights, Crimson Desert, Intel, Nvidia, AMD
12 januari 2026 · 2 uur 12 min
Direct from Las Vegas, A Redbull-powered Alex Battaglia and Oliver Mackenzie share their thoughts on everything they saw at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026, while also discussing all of the big announcements. Nvidia, AMD and Intel announcements, the latest TVs and monitors and... the weirdness. Plus, what is Crimson Desert and why should be excited about it? Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:07 News 1: Nvidia, AMD, and Intel: chipmaker announcements 0:15:37 News 2: PC hardware: laptops, desktops, and accessories 0:28:49 News 3: TVs: MicroRGB, OLED, MicroLED, “Laser”, HDMI 2.2 0:54:54 News 4: Monitors: new QD-OLED coatings, RGB OLEDs, 5K2K ultrawides 1:02:46 News 5: Crimson Desert demo 1:08:37 News 6: CES weirdness: Project AVA, fighting robots, AI saturation, RCA and RadioShack revival, AR avatars, Lego Panther Lake, recumbent chairs, China pavilion1:36:50 News 7: Reflections on Las Vegas and CES 2026 1:42:54 Supporter Q1: How will new CES tech be affected by RAM scarcity? 1:46:06 Supporter Q2: With new price constraints, is pushing graphics tech unsustainable? 1:51:23 Supporter Q3: Where’s Nvidia’s Reflex 2? 1:54:32 Supporter Q4: Is 30fps with frame gen a good idea for Ark on Switch 2? 2:01:00 Supporter Q5: Are monitors advancing too fast for GPUs? 2:05:28 Supporter Q6: Should games mask #StutterStruggle with tear-jerking content? 2:07:38 Supporter Q7: With Nvidia continuing to innovate, why should people buy AMD GPUs?
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DF Direct Special: Digital Foundry's Best Gaming Hardware 2025
7 januari 2026 · 1 uur 12 min
In the last DF Direct video of the year, Rich, Oliver and Alex join forces to discusses their experiences of the best gaming hardware of 2025. Handhelds dominate, and while Switch 2's mega sales cannot be denied, Rich makes the case for the crazy GPD Win 5, while Oliver opts for the SteamOS-based Lenovo Legion Go S. Beyond portables, it's all about the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, RTX 5090, the Blackwell and RDNA 4 launches in general and - finally - green shoots of hope in what looks to be a grim 2026. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:53 GPD Win 5 0:11:07 Asus ROG Xbox Ally X 0:15:40 Lenovo Legion Go S 0:18:44 MSI Claw 8 AI + 0:19:45 Nintendo Switch 2 0:28:59 AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 0:38:52 Nvidia Blackwell 0:51:11 AMD RDNA 4 0:59:58 Expectations for 2026
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DF Direct Special: Digital Foundry's Best Game Graphics of 2025
1 januari 2026 · 1 uur 33 min
Need we saw more? As we draw to the end of another remarkable year in video games, the Digital Foundry team sit down to pore over the technological showcases of the last 12 months in an attempt to answer the immortal question: What were the best game graphics of the year? Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction0:02:09 Honourable Mentions: Kirby Air Riders, Mario Kart World, Star Wars Outlaws (Switch 2), Fast Fusion 0:11:45 Routine0:16:35 Earthion 0:20:00 Silent Hill f0:25:50 Mafia: The Old Country 0:32:18 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond 0:39:00 Ghost of Yōtei0:46:11 Dying Light: The Beast 0:56:32 Top Three Discussion
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DF Direct Weekly #245: Half-Life 3 Steam Machine Launch Game? Skyrim Switch 2 Lag Patch, Marathon!
22 december 2025 · 2 uur 8 min
A critical mass of rumours is strongly suggesting that Half-Life 3 will be a launch title for Steam Machine - but how does that work when the RAM crisis is making any kind of hardware launch so challenging? Meanwhile, Oliver pops in to talk about an actual patch for the woeful Switch 1 port of Batman: Arkham Knight, while Tom makes a similarly cameo-sized appearance to talk about Skyrim's anti-latency patch - which isn't quite what we were hoping for. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for what is an absolutely colossal Direct which will also be the last we produce in the year of our lord 2025. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction0:02:33 News 1: Is Half-Life 3 a Steam Machine launch game? 0:14:45 News 2: Batman: Arkham Knight patch brings Switch 2 boosts0:26:28 News 3: Skyrim Switch 2 patch improves input lag - at a cost 0:34:57 News 4: Ayaneo announces Strix Halo uber-handheld 0:45:56 News 5: Bungie exhibits Marathon in new video0:58:46 News 6: Avatar gets DLSS Frame Generation and Ray Reconstruction1:14:27 News 7: Blur Busters releases TestUFO 3.01:22:42 News 8: Presenting the Digital Foundry 2025 Community Awards!1:44:13 Supporter Q1: Will future handhelds be fast enough to run path-traced games?1:47:30 Supporter Q2: Are there realistic alternatives to UE5 for AAA games?1:52:39 Supporter Q3: What do you think of Mega Man: Dual Override?1:54:25 Supporter Q4: What are the best graphics of 2025 on low-end hardware?2:00:31 Supporter Q5: How would you set up an Xbox 360 or PS3 in the modern era?2:04:55 Supporter Q6: Should AI write supporter questions for DF Direct?
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DF Direct Weekly #244: The Game Awards Reaction, First PS3 Emu on PS5, FSR Redstone First Look!
15 december 2025 · 2 uur 2 min
It's that time of the year! The Digital Foundry team discuss the big reveals and the games that caught their eye at The Game Awards, with the traditional complaints about the volume of CG trailers. Beyond that, Rich shares his impressions on the first PS3 emulator for PlayStation 5, Alex gets to grips with the wobbly performance of FSR Redstone frame generation and Oliver shares some eyebrow-raising results from Skyrim on Switch 2. And as usual, questions are answered. Questions like: "Is Star Wars Outlaws more ‘bespoke’ on Switch 2 than Assassin’s Creed Shadows?" Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction0:01:12 News 1: The Game Awards: Control Resonant 0:08:42 Tomb Raider: Catalyst and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis 0:16:56 Total War: Warhammer 40,000 0:23:59 Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, Exodus, Divinity 0:34:23 Ontos, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, No Law, Pragmata, AUDIOMECH, TankRat 0:49:34 News 2: Devs ship PS3 emulator in PS5 game 0:59:09 News 3 Skyrim disappoints on Switch 21:07:21 News 4: AMD FSR Redstone launches 1:26:38 Supporter Q1: Will The Witchers 4, 5, and 6 be constrained by cross-gen limits?1:35:14 Supporter Q2: Will Unified Memory Architecture appear on PCs? 1:39:21 Supporter Q3: Could Microsoft port their backwards compatibility solution to PS5? 1:44:31 Supporter Q4: Is there a way to install a streamlined Windows 11 cleansed of Microsoft services? 1:56:38 Supporter Q5: Is Star Wars Outlaws more ‘bespoke’ on Switch 2 than Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
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DF Direct Weekly #243: Metroid Prime Switch 1 vs 2, The Witcher 4-6, Crucial RAM Dead, 32-bit PhysX!
8 december 2025 · 1 uur 54 min
Nintendo didn't release Metroid Prime 4 Switch 1 review code to journalists, so how does it stack up against Switch 2? Rich does some digging. Meanwhile, the team lament the end of the iconic Crucial RAM, but there's better news about the return of some kind of 32-bit PhysX support for RTX 50-series GPUs. Oliver talks Sonic Racing Crossworlds on Switch 2, John's impressed by TimeSplitters Rewind - and just how bad have things got for HDR support in video games?0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:55 News 1: Metroid Prime 4 tested on Switch 1! 0:29:22 News 2: Micron kills Crucial RAM 0:39:29 News 3: Nvidia partially brings back 32 bit PhysX for 50 series 0:45:34 News 4: Sonic Racing Crossworlds tested on Switch 20:51:00 News 5: CD Projekt plans fast release pace for Witchers 4-6 0:59:21 News 6: Veteran HDR dev bemoans state of HDR in games 1:14:23 News 7: TimeSplitters Rewind impresses 1:22:17 Supporter Q1: Will price hikes cause a gaming Dark Age? How are next gen consoles affected? 1:32:44 Supporter Q2: How could Cyberpunk 2077 be improved visually? 1:35:59 Supporter Q3: What games are “Too Big for Steam Machine?”1:39:46 Supporter Q4: Should Nintendo have tried to match Series S with Switch 2? 1:44:33 Supporter Q5: Do you have any fond PSP gaming memories? Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #242: Ghost of Yōtei Big Upgrades, AC Shadows Switch 2, Death Stranding 2 PC Coming
2 december 2025 · 1 uur 30 min
In this week's Direct, Rich gets to grips with Ghost of Yōtei's unlocked frame-rate and balanced mode upgrades, discovering some excellent results. The team discuss the seemingly soon arrival of a PC port for Death Stranding 2, while mulling over Ubisoft's details on its upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows Switch 2 port. John's highly excited by eXoWin9X and there's a celebratory round of applause for Panic Button - entrusted by Nintendo to upgrade some its most important games for Switch 2.0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:32 News 1: Ghost of Yōtei gets unlocked VRR modes0:19:58 News 2: Death Stranding 2 PC incoming? 0:27:06 News 3: eXoWin9x gets vintage PC games running on modern Windows0:36:48 News 4: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Switch 2 version detailed 0:49:24 News 5: Panic Button handled key Switch 2 updates 0:55:25 Supporter Q1: Is Kirby Air Riders the game Mario Kart World should have been? 1:01:26 Supporter Q2: What’s the most unexpected feature announced for a product? 1:10:25 Supporter Q3: Will Steam Machine cement a performance target for game developers? 1:14:29 Supporter Q4: Will surging RAM prices doom the Steam Machine? What about PS6? 1:21:21 Supporter Q5: Does Nvidia need to concentrate more on Linux driver development? 1:26:39 Supporter Q6: Can Alex share a recent PC gaming experience that made him happy? Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #241: Steam Machine Price Concerns, Win 11 Update Kills Perf, Proton FSR 4, RDR1!
24 november 2025 · 2 uur 1 min
A meaty new episode of DF Direct Weekly kicks off with a Valve double-header - reaction to news that Steam Machine may be heading for PC pricing, plus news of Linux FSR 4 support via Proton... including old GPUs. Meanwhile, Angry Alex is back and he's measured just how bad Windows performance in AC Shadows is impacted by a rogue update. Red Dead Redemption 1 returns once again, Oliver has opinions on Horizon Steel Frontiers and let's just say that we really think you should check out Sektori. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:07 News 1: Steam Machine price: above $500?
0:18:36 News 2: FSR 4 gets Proton support
0:33:00 News 3: Windows update kills gaming performance
0:50:10 News 4: Price hikes incoming: should you buy a GPU right now?
1:05:21 News 5: Red Dead Redemption gets new round of ports
1:11:06 News 6: Horizon Steel Frontiers announced
1:17:52 News 7: Twin-stick shooter Sektori impresses
1:23:00 Supporter Q1: On the system’s 20th anniversary, what are your favourite Xbox 360 games?
1:32:20 Supporter Q2: Why is everyone so excited for Steam Machine?
1:38:19 Supporter Q3: Is there a new sub-PS5 hardware tier developing?
1:43:44 Supporter Q4: Will developers add new Steam Machine graphical presets?
1:50:47 Supporter Q5: Is Switch 2 DLSS superior to FSR 3?
1:55:49 Supporter Q6: Should Sony fret over Steam Machine competition?Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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DF Direct Weekly #240: Steam Machine - Pricing, Specs, VRAM, ARM Ambitions + More
17 november 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
Valve's reveal of the Steam Machine has proven phenomenally popular to the point where our coverage is by far and away the biggest DF video of the year. But there's more information emerging post-embargo we had to share, plus plenty of discussion points to wade through. How much will it cost? Does this really cause problems for Microsoft? What is the actual make-up of the Zen 4 CPU? And is a spec that's comparable with PlayStation 5 really the best that could be done over five years into this generation? Rich, Oliver and Alex convene once again to talk about the Valve initiative. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:41 Steam Machine pricing 0:13:42 Potential impacts to Microsoft 0:25:18 CPU: likely Hawk Point 2 0:30:54 Hardware concerns and deficits 0:45:11 Should Valve have used Strix Halo? 0:51:41 8GB of VRAM and SteamOS efficiencies 1:03:04 Steam Frame and Valve’s push into ARM 1:14:25 Supporter Q1: Will Steam Machine have pre-loading of shader cache? 1:19:17 Supporter Q2: How can Valve solve the anti-cheat problem? 1:22:25 Supporter Q3: Will Valve drop Half-Life 3 for the launch of Steam Machine? 1:28:21 Supporter Q4: What is a proper punishment for Alex after his denigration of PS3?
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DF Direct Special: Valve's Steam Frame VR Headset - Hands-On + Impressions, Specs + Tech Breakdown
13 november 2025 · 44 min
While the new Steam Machine PC/console hybrid has taken centrestage, it's not the only major hardware launch revealed by Valve today. Steam Frame is a state-of-the-art VR headset that not only streams games from your PC but can actually run them on the headset itself, with an x86 to ARM translation layer working in addition to Proton. Oliver's been hands-on and shares his impressions with John in this DF Direct Special. Lees meer
00:00 Overview
04:17 Internal specifications
06:55 Displays and optics
15:19 Foveated rendering and foveated streaming
18:06 Modularity, controls, and audio
24:52 Standalone gaming functionality
32:30 Game streaming
37:25 Analysis and conclusionHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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DF Direct Special: Hands-On With Steam Machine: Valve's Beautiful PC/Console - Specs, Impressions And More
12 november 2025 · 51 min
It's the hardware we've been waiting for. Built on SteamOS, Valve's brand-new Steam Machine runs the same games that Steam Deck does, with 6x the graphics horsepower - all built into a super-cute, premium, cube-like design. Oliver visited Valve HQ to go hands-on with both the new PC/console hybrid and the new Steam Controller, reporting back with impressions, specs and insights from the engineers behind the project. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:11 Steam Machine overview
0:04:38 Specs and architecture
0:22:38 Other specs and capabilities
0:30:24 Steam Controller
0:36:26 Analysis and conclusionHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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DF Direct Weekly #239: GTA 6 Delayed, Silent Hill 2 Xbox, Switch 2 Biggest Console Launch Ever?
10 november 2025 · 1 uur 48 min
Aside from the monumental release of our brand new website, it was looking like a quiet week until the gigaton news that Grand Theft Auto 6 was delayed again quote-unquote dropped. The team discuss the implications in this week's Direct, before moving onto PS Portal cloud streaming impressions and the AMD marketing debacle that is the RDNA 1/2 driver situation. Silent Hill 2 is all but certain to arrive on Xbox, but what about Switch 2? Plus: kudos to Nintendo as it looks almost certain now that Switch 2 is the biggest console launch of all-time... within a three-month launch window at least!0:00:00 Introduction0:01:53 Our new website - digitalfoundry.net!0:09:13 News 1: GTA 6 launch delayed to November 2026 0:21:20 News 2: PS Portal now officially supports PS5 Cloud Streaming 0:39:17 News 3: AMD’s RDNA 1 and 2 driver debacle 0:55:30 News 4: Switch 2 is the fastest selling console of all time (so far) 1:04:09 News 5: Silent Hill 2 reportedly headed to Xbox 1:10:41 Supporter Q1: What do you consider “retro”? 1:18:23 Supporter Q2: What is the most exciting console gen technologically? 1:23:09 Supporter Q3: Should Microsoft worry about Valve’s future devices? 1:33:46 Supporter Q4: Will Rockstar reconsider a simultaneous GTA 6 PC launch? 1:41:21 Supporter Q5: Will the upcoming PS handheld play PS6 games natively, or only via streaming? Lees meer
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PlayStation 5 Pro: Year One - Was It Worth It? The Best/Worst Games, PSSR + More - DF Direct Special
8 november 2025 · 1 uur 13 min
At the time of uploading this video, it has been one year to the day since PlayStation 5 Pro was available to buy. In a DF Direct Special, John, Oliver and Tom compare notes on a massive range of Pro-enhanced titles, putting them into buckets: successful, good but not great and straight-out bad. And with that out of the way, it's time to talk about the overall effectiveness of the system in delivering an enhanced experience - plus thoughts and hopes for PS5 Pro: Year Two.0:00:00 Overview
0:01:19 Game Boost and PS4 Enhance Image Quality
0:05:41 Successful games: FF7 Rebirth, Control, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Black Myth Wukong, TLOU, The Callisto Protocol, Gran Turismo 7, Ghost of Yotei, Horizon Forbidden West
0:25:11 Death Stranding 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Space Marine 2, Hellblade 2, Resident Evil, Monster Hunter Wilds, Stellar Blade, Forza Horizon 5, Battlefield 6
0:35:11 Unsuccessful and middling games: MGS Delta, Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill F, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Alan Wake 2, Jedi: Survivor, The Outer Worlds 2, Helldivers 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, Astro Bot, Black Ops 6
0:58:03 Final thoughts Lees meerHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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DF Direct Weekly #238: MGS Delta Fixed? Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, AC Shadows Switch 2!
3 november 2025 · 1 uur 40 min
A new patch has "dropped" for Metal Gear Solid Delta and there are big performance and feature improvements in some areas, but is the game actually fixed? Meanwhile, Oliver gets to grips with Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 and comes away disappointed, while John is highly impressed with Lumines Arise. The team try to work their way through a puzzling interview from Microsoft's Satya Nadella, while a promising game that first started development in 2012 now actually has a launch trailer - but what is Routine? And 13 years on, why should you be interested? Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:49 News 1: Metal Gear Solid Delta patch shows performance bump 0:23:19 News 2: Bloodlines 2 tested on PS5 0:33:16 News 3: Assassin’s Creed Shadows trailer drops for Switch 20:41:34 News 4: Lumines Arise impresses in preview 0:47:34 News 5: Microsoft CEO: gaming’s competition is short-form video 1:04:53 News 6: Routine re-emerges in release date trailer1:09:23 Supporter Q1: Could you add Linux coverage to your PC game reviews? 1:16:06 Supporter Q2: Why did Xbox lose this console generation? 1:26:49 Supporter Q3: Is the new Power Saver mode actually intended for the cloud? 1:33:57 Supporter Q4: Is Apple finally serious about gaming?
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DF Direct Weekly #237: Halo Campaign Evolved Reaction, "Premium" Next-Gen Xbox, New DF Retro Show!
27 oktober 2025 · 2 uur 18 min
A gigantic new episode of DF Direct Weekly sees the team's reaction to the big Halo Campaign Evolved reveal - and some unfortunate Unreal Engine 5 issues already coming into view. Meanwhile, what does Microsoft actually mean by its "very premium, very high-end" next-gen comments and is the Xbox Ally X interface really the best way forward? Meanwhile, John and some familiar faces reveal our next big project - the DF Retro Super Show - our brand new video podcast. Beyond that, Rich talks PlayStation power saver with Death Stranding 1 and 2, while alarming stats are revealed about the decline of games journalism. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:12 News 1: Halo Campaign Evolved revealed! 0:23:03 News 2: Sarah Bond: next Xbox "very premium, very high-end"0:55:55 News 3: Announcing the DF Retro Super Show!1:01:46 News 4: Nvidia drops Bonsai tech demo 1:13:05 News 5: Death Stranding 1 + 2 tested in Power Saver mode 1:27:11 News 6: Game journalists rapidly departing industry 1:42:37 Supporter Q1: Is Microsoft making a mistake by muddling the definition of an Xbox? 1:50:50 Supporter Q2: Is Microsoft’s new 30% gaming margin target driving its recent woes? 1:57:17 Supporter Q3: Does pursuing the state of the art make sense in a cost-constrained, multi-platform era? 2:01:25 Supporter Q4: Is Sony’s new portable PlayStation doomed to the same fate as the Vita? 2:05:58 Supporter Q5: How can AAA game studios survive in an era of increasing console prices?2:12:09 Supporter Q6: Did you ever hear the tragedy of Alex Battaglia the Wise?
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DF Direct Weekly #236: Xbox Ally X Review-In-Progress, Next-Gen Spec Leak Comparisons, New PS5 Pro!
21 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 44 min
ROG Xbox Ally X is "in the house" and Rich describes his first couple of days in the review process. Alex answers the big question as to whether new PC games stutter more than older ones, while Oliver gets to grips with Black Myth Wukong's latest patch on PlayStation, complete with Lumen-free performance mode. Finally, next-gen Xbox and PlayStation spec leaks are gathering pace - so what do we make of them? Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:54 News 1: ROG Xbox Ally X first impressions and benchmarks!0:31:28 News 2: Black Myth: Wukong patch brings Xbox updates to PS50:42:23 News 3: Did old PC games stutter less? 0:57:52 News 4: Latest Xbox Magnus rumours suggest large, expensive die1:10:38 News 5: New PS5 Pro features subtle revisions1:16:35 Supporter Q1: What does Alex think of Mark Cerny’s recent Project Amethyst announcements? 1:26:47 Supporter Q2: What does Microsoft’s collaboration with AMD look like? 1:33:59 Supporter Q3: Should Nintendo release a docked-only version of Switch 2? 1:36:43 Supporter Q4: Any thoughts on the recent Gamers Nexus animation error exposé?
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DF Direct Weekly #235: Microsoft Re-Confirms Next-Gen Xbox, Red Dead 2 Remaster Heavily Rumoured
21 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
In this week's DF Direct, Microsoft deny rumours that its next-gen console has been cancelled - but to what extent are its statements credible in the wake of the infamous "four games" messaging? The existence of ports of Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS5, Xbox and Switch 2 are confirmed by the most reliable leaker in the business, while John shares his impressions of Yooka-Replaylee. And to what extent did Nintendo underclock the SoC for Switch 2? Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:58 News 1: Microsoft: future Xbox console hardware re-confirmed0:17:10 News 2: Yooka-Replaylee lands on current gen systems0:27:51 News 3: Red Dead Redemption 2 remaster heavily rumoured 0:35:18 News 4: Ominous omens surround next Halo 0:47:16 Supporter Q1: If the next-gen Xbox is cancelled, what will have been lost? 0:52:47 Supporter Q2: Will competing consoles continue to launch at a similar cadence in the future? 0:59:27 Supporter Q3: Will developers focus on more advanced physics or mechanics to differentiate their games during cross-gen? 1:06:38 Supporter Q4: How will PS5 Pro fare in cross-gen software? 1:10:09 Supporter Q5: Should we consider Microsoft’s commercially unsuccessful consoles to be failures? 1:22:18 Supporter Q6: Is the Switch 1 or Switch 2 underclocked more heavily?
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DF Direct Special: Sony/AMD Project Amethyst Update - Next-Gen Tech Revealed + Mark Cerny Q&A
11 oktober 2025 · 30 min
Could this be the foundational GPU technology for the PlayStation 6? Mark Cerny's latest Project Amethyst update describes the building blocks of future graphics technology, with a strong focus on ray tracing and machine learning capabilities, along with bandwidth-enhancing features designed to reduce the need on massive memory controllers. John, Rich and Oliver discuss the tech and share more information from Mark Cerny via an email Q&A conducted in the wake of the video's publication. Lees meer
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DF Direct Weekly #234: Huge Game Pass Price Hike Causes Outrage, New PS5 Teardown
6 oktober 2025 · 2 uur 8 min
The latest DF Direct is dominated by discussion of Microsoft's gigantic price hikes for Game Pass - proof positive that the previous prices were unsustainable, or a greedy cash grab from Xbox? And who exactly wants the new content added to the top-end tier? Meanwhile, the team share their thoughts on the new Austin Evans PS5 teardown video, while Rich reports on a brace of native Steam Deck ports: Baldur's Gate 3 and Cronos. The former shows big improvements, but there's confusion surrounding Cronos. Meanwhile, John's back with plenty of stories from his latest visit to Japan. Lees meer
0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:27 News 1: Game Pass hit by massive price hikes 0:32:39 News 2: New PS5 Slim disassembled, examined 0:43:54 News 3: Native Steam Deck versions of Cronos, Baldur’s Gate 3 arrive 0:55:52 News 4: New DualSense reportedly features replaceable battery 1:02:14 News 5: John reports back from Japan 1:22:04 Supporter Q1: What do you think of the Panzer Dragoon Zwei remake? 1:30:12 Supporter Q2: Will the PlayStation handheld produce better visual results than Strix Halo handhelds? 1:36:32 Supporter Q3: What lessons can PC handhelds take from Switch 2 and its DLSS? 1:48:04 Supporter Q4: How do you think the PS6 will be initially received? 1:54:04 Supporter Q5: Do Wii games look good on a flatscreen with a typical remastering treatment? 1:58:41 Supporter Q6: What did everyone’s retro PC setups look like?
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