DF Direct Weekly #221: Disastrous Xbox Cuts, AMD/Sony PS6 Hints, Helldivers 2 Coming To Xbox
This week, the DF team is reeling after news of disastrous Xbox cuts resulting in untold job losses, the diminishment of celebrated studios and the cancellation of promising games - this follows on from controversy surrounding Xbox hardware strategy and speculation on future consoles. Meanwhile, AMD and Sony re-affirm the Project Amethyst initative while Mark Cerny drops hints on the timeframe for PlayStation 6. Beyond that, driver support for Maxwell, Pascal and Volta GPUs comes to an end while leaks start to emerge on the Nvidia Blackwell refresh. Finally, what does the team make of Helldivers 2 heading to Xbox Series consoles?
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:00 News 1: Huge Microsoft Gaming cuts
0:30:07 News 2: Is Xbox hardware “dead”?
0:47:56 News 3: AMD, Mark Cerny hint future PlayStation plans
0:54:05 News 4: Donkey Kong Bananza developed by Super Mario Odyssey studio
1:00:52 News 5: Nvidia dropping gaming driver support for Maxwell, Volta, Pascal
1:08:38 News 6: 5070 Super, 5070 Ti Super, 5080 Super reportedly leaked
1:18:18 News 7: Helldivers 2 is coming to Xbox Series
1:24:04 Supporter Q1: Are people unfair to multi frame gen?
1:37:09 Supporter Q2: Could the Switch 2’s authentication chip be an issue for VRR?
1:41:22 Supporter Q3: Why haven’t more Switch 2 games used 40fps modes?
1:44:57 Supporter Q4: Could Nvidia launch a competitive game console?
1:50:39 Supporter Q5: Does John own the 1997 PS1 game Ray Tracers?
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In the wake of criticism of DF's comments on Switch 2's motion blur display issues, independent benchmark data from multiple sources proves out our point, so what can be done? Meanwhile, John and Oliver share their impressions of Fast Fusion's "Pure" aka "DLSS Off" update, while Rich weighs in on the Nvidia RTX 5050 reveal specs. Hellblade 2's 60fps upgrade is discussed, while the team mull over the final HDMI 2.2 specifications. Finally, John and Oliver continue championing OLED and LCD displays respectively - and literally have the receipts to prove it.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:57 News 1: Objective testing: Switch 2 display is very slow
0:23:45 News 2: Fast Fusion adds “Pure” visual mode without DLSS
0:34:24 News 3: Hellblade 2 to receive 60fps option on consoles
0:41:59 News 4: Nvidia announces RTX 5050
0:54:12 News 5 HDMI 2.2 spec revealed
1:05:42 News 6: John reviews his LG 5K2K OLED monitor!
1:23:21 Supporter Q1: Is it smarter to focus on raster lighting techniques on consoles instead of ray tracing?
1:31:05 Supporter Q2: Is low-level optimization dead in an era of multiplatform games?
1:36:12 Supporter Q3: Should developers build their games around achieving 60fps on consoles?
1:42:30 Supporter Q4: Should we be worried about Switch 2’s image quality in demanding games?
1:46:19 Supporter Q5: Will ray tracing remasters be a common sight in the PS6 era?
1:52:24 Supporter Q6: What is behind you when you record DF Direct?
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DF Direct Weekly #219: Xbox/AMD Next-Gen Partnership, Donkey Kong Bananza, Neural Texture Update
In a packed new Direct, the team convene to discuss the detail - and lack of it - in Xbox and AMD's next-gen partnership announcement. What is the future of the Xbox console? Are MS/AMD looking to compete in the PC prebuilt market? Is the Xbox Ally X part of this arrangement? Is Windows truly capable of working as a robust console-style OS? Meanwhile, thoughts are shared on Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, while Rich tracks down working code for the original, truly dreadful Ark: Survival Evolved port - does Switch 2 have enough horsepower to tame one of the worst conversions ever? Spoilers: not entirely...
In a packed new Direct, the team convene to discuss the detail - and lack of it - in Xbox and AMD's next-gen partnership announcement. What is the future of the Xbox console? Are MS/AMD looking to compete in the PC prebuilt market? Is the Xbox Ally X part of this arrangement? Is Windows truly capable of working as a robust console-style OS? Meanwhile, thoughts are shared on Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, while Rich tracks down working code for the original, truly dreadful Ark: Survival Evolved port - does Switch 2 have enough horsepower to tame one of the worst conversions ever? Spoilers: not entirely...
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0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:10 News 1: Xbox-AMD partnership announced for next gen
0:31:55 News 2: Donkey Kong Bananza Direct reaction
0:47:29 News 3: Neural Texture Compression improvements detailed
1:00:08 News 4: Original Ark port tested on Switch 2!
1:10:37 Supporter Q1: Does AMD dominate the broader gaming market, in light of Microsoft’s announcement?
1:18:35 Supporter Q2: With Microsoft’s Windows console shift, will Sony change their PC strategy?
1:27:06 Supporter Q3: Will Microsoft allow Windows to run on Series S and X?
1:30:45 Supporter Q4: Will Nintendo or Microsoft ultimately triumph in console strategy?
1:32:58 Supporter Q5: As Apple expands their rendering tech, will DF do more Mac game testing?
1:40:53 Supporter Q6: Is there room to evolve The Witcher 4’s graphics for high-end PCs?
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Nintendo Switch 2 - DF Hardware Review - A Satisfying Upgrade... But Display Issues Are Problematic
It's here - the biggest and most comprehensive Digital Foundry hardware test we've ever done. Across two hours of #content, Oliver Mackenzie, John Linneman and Rich Leadbetter share their data, tests, opinions and impressions of the entire Switch 2 package ranging from hardware analysis, display options, power consumption and efficiency, loading time and WiFi tests, back-compat, Game Share, Game Chat and much, much more. We love most of what we see - but key technologies like VRR and HDR disappoint in a blurry handheld experience that must be improved.
0:00:00 Overview
0:01:54 Hardware overview: specs, form factor, and Pro Controller
0:10:33 Portable screen: contrast, response time, handheld HDR and VRR
0:37:21 Display output: HDMI quirks, HDR configuration, 120Hz support
0:48:08 Power efficiency, power consumption, and battery life
1:02:46 Loading times: internal storage, MicroSD, and cartridge differences
1:06:17 WiFi and ethernet download speeds
1:10:54 Backwards compatibility: game speedups and incompatibilities
1:22:09 GameChat and GameShare
1:35:05 Virtual Game Card and UI issues
1:44:59 Overall thoughts and conclusion
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The catastrophic launch of MindsEye dominates the Direct this week - but how does the game actually look and run on PS5 Pro and PC? We'll have a more detailed review soon, but there's good and bad with this one. Meanwhile, legit-looking specs emerge for the next-gen PlayStation handheld, Switch 2 sells through 3.5m units in four days and Rich spends some time looking at Stellar Blade's PC ports. Meanwhile, John has a brace of retro-based stories to share with you.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:48 News 1: MindsEye suffers troubled launch
0:20:27 News 2: Switch 2 sells 3.5 million units in first four days
0:28:45 News 3: Next-gen PlayStation handheld specs rumoured
0:41:29 News 4: Stellar Blade PC delivers good performance
0:51:39 News 5: Retro Afterplay enables web browser emulation
0:58:27 News 6: Mortal Kombat 2 ported to 3DO
1:05:20 Supporter Q1: Will next-gen Xbox be third party like the Xbox Ally?
1:12:13 Supporter Q2: What Switch games would you like to see patched for Switch 2?
1:17:43 Supporter Q3: How widespread is DLSS actually on Switch 2?
1:29:25 Supporter Q4: What happens to game rendering when you change the output resolution on your console?
1:33:07 Supporter Q5: Could Microsoft have bluffed their way to success with Xbox One?
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When it comes to video games and the hardware and tech we play them on, the team at Digital Foundry are unparalleled experts. Each week, DF Direct breaks down the latest breakthroughs in video game visuals, sound, and performance happening on PlayStation, Xbox, the most powerful PC setups, and more. If you’re a geek for graphics, GPUs, or just video games in general, DF Direct will help you get the most out of your gaming setup. DF Direct is a part of the Geek Media Podcast Network, an IGN Entertainment Brand. Visit Geek.com for more information.
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