Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

In a packed new Direct, Rich dissects the PC version of Phantom Blade Zero - does it run well on mainstream hardware? What about RT and path tracing? Meanwhile, Oliver discusses the latest Apple hardware, there's conjecture on a potential Switch 2 Lite, Rich gets to grips with the more efficient FSR 4.1 for handhelds, while John looks to get an "anti PS5 Pro patch" fixed for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. The show reaches a crescendo with the team celebrating ten years of PS4 Pro - and the Digital Foundry Supporter Program!

Looking for an ad-free Direct experience? The DF Supporter Program has an ad-free private RSS feed along with high quality ad-free video downloads: https://www.patreon.com/digitalfoundry

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:02 News 1: Phantom Blade Zero tested on PC!

0:20:02 News 2: Apple announces OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro

0:33:45 News 3: Switch 2 Lite rumours emerge as new Samsung process unveiled

0:43:36 News 4: FSR 4.1 tested on ROG Xbox Ally X20!

0:56:11 News 5: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse suffers low-res rendering bug on PS5 Pro

1:01:43 Retrospective: 10 years of PS4 Pro, 10 years of DF Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered why game coverage often neglects Xbox consoles? It's an issue we've highlighted before and after Call of Duty failed to register on Metacritic, Microsoft is finally doing something about it. In the new Q+A, the team discuss the issue, its impact on DF and hopes that things will genuinely improve. Meanwhile, what to make of the reported Project Helix delay to 2028? Will new CPU releases get caught up in the hardware crisis? Was Sony's QSSR a direct response to a potential FSR 4.1 on Xbox consoles? And will Nintendo update its Switch 2 DLSS tech?

Looking for an ad-free DF Direct? The DF Supporter Program offers a private ad-free RSS feed and high quality ad-free video downloads: https://www.patreon.com/digitalfoundry

00:00 Introduction

01:03 Xbox attempts to solve creator/journalist review code problems

11:08 Supporter Q1: Why is Xbox Helix suffering an apparent delay to 2028?

24:56 Supporter Q2: How will Xbox Helix offer hardware expandability?

32:08 Supporter Q3: Will CPUs continue to stagnate, or will they advance further in 2027?

38:07 Supporter Q4: Was QSSR designed to counter FSR 4.1 on Xbox Series?

43:37 Supporter Q5: Will Nintendo revise their DLSS tech for Switch 2?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big news this week from Fortune, with an insider feature on Xbox that combines deep access to senior management along with a range of big reveals: a Helix console costing between $1200 to $1800 coming 2028? A handheld in 2027? Disagreements between the Xbox and Microsoft OS teams? There's a lot to discuss here. Meanwhile, the team lament the end of BioWare and mull over the leaked Mass Effect trailer, and there's good news for RDNA 2 GPU owners - and Xbox Series console users - as FSR 4 arrives ahead of time. A potential PlayStation frame generation technique is discussed and finally, five years of Oliver Mackenzie at Digital Foundry! The panel look back at his first video and discuss his approach to working on the channel.

Looking for an ad-free Direct experience? Join the DF Supporter Program for an ad-free podcast feed and high quality, ad-free video downloads: https://www.patreon.com/digitalfoundry

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:04 News 1: Article lays out Xbox next-gen plans

0:21:26 News 2: EA shutters BioWare, Mass Effect Universe trailer leaks

0:31:33 News 3: AMD ports FSR 4.1 to RDNA 2, handhelds, Xbox

0:45:51 News 4: Sony patents frame extrapolation technique

0:59:30 Five years of Oliver!

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reports that Nvidia's RTX 5090 gaming flagship would be discontinued gathered pace, with Nvidia finally denying cancellation of the card. But in a world where a 5090 can cost $8000, is its presence in the gaming market all but over? Can Nvidia do anything about it? Meanwhile, DF Supporter have questions about GTA 6 on PlayStation and in the absence of actual information, we can only offer our thoughts and speculation. Finally, what would actually constitute a Switch 2 "impossible port"...?

00:00 Introduction

00:35 News 1: Nvidia refutes RTX 5090 discontinuation rumours, but questions linger

22:46 Supporter Q1: With the high cost of memory, should Sony have used a larger GPU in PS6?

34:10 Supporter Q2: Could the ROG Xbox Ally X20 screen be used in a Switch 2 OLED?

37:20 Supporter Q3: How will Rockstar configure GTA 6 on PS5 and PS5 Pro?

42:45 Supporter Q4: How long will GTA 7 take to develop?

48:22 Supporter Q5: Why are so many UE5 games shipping with hardware Lumen and MegaLights now?

53:09 Supporter Q6: Which Switch 2 ports meet the criteria for an impossible port?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year on from its initial launch, Xbox Ally gets a brilliant OLED upgrade for the new X20 edition but are we any closer to an actual Xbox-like experience? Meanwhile, Nvidia delivers faster frame-gen and DLSS 5 while Epic acts like a lightning rod for all the AI hate with its latest pivot. Oliver tests out The Crew Motorfest on Switch 2, while John has thoughts on Castlevania: Belmont's Curse.

Looking for an ad-free experience? The DF Supporter Program offers private RSS feeds for all of our podcasts along with high-quality ad-free video downloads: https://www.patreon.com/digitalfoundry

00:00 Introduction

02:07 News 1: Nvidia debuts faster frame gen, DLSS 5

18:13 News 2: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 tested!

32:44 News 3: Epic embraces AI coding for new Epic Games Launcher

48:22 News 4: The Crew Motorfest tested on Switch 2 54:39 News 5: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse impressions

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the new AI era, it seems that decompilation, recompilation and unofficial ports are child's play - so what are the chances of an unofficial GTA 6 PC port before Rockstar delivers the real thing? And adjacent to that, how is Sony going to react to the massive impact of the recent PS5 jailbreak? Meanwhile, the panel are asked about the importance of PS5 Pro as it nears its second anniversary and questions are asked about the support level for the recently released QSSR.

Join the DF Supporter Program for a private, ad-free RSS feed and high quality ad-free video downloads of all DF content, including DF Direct.

00:00 Introduction

00:50 Supporter Q1: Will Rockstar move up GTA 6’s PC release date because of PS5 emulation?

15:22 Supporter Q2: Will Sony adjust their policies in response to PS5 jailbreaks?

21:09 Supporter Q3: Have you changed your opinions on PS5 Pro over the past couple of years?

26:36 Supporter Q4: Will Sony abandon QSSR?

32:56 Supporter Q5: Can Nintendo force VRR to work on Switch 2 games?

38:05 Supporter Q6: Why do PC graphics vendors not implement upscaling with DRS as a default?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dragon's Dogma 2 launched with problematic performance on current-gen consoles, making a Switch 2 port seemingly impossible. But the game improved and now the Switch 2 version is here and it's almost brilliant. The panel discuss the new port in depth, before moving on to their thoughts on the PC version of Star Wars: Galactic Racer. Then it's on to a remarkable native PC port of Hideo Kojima's P.T - complete with ray tracing! - before the show ends on a more sombre note with Sony selling off its VR patents to Meta. And presumably that means the end of PSVR.

Looking for an ad-free DF Direct? Join the DF Supporter Program for ad-free audio and video downloads a private RSS feed: https://www.patreon.com/digitalfoundry

00:00 Introduction

01:37 News 1: Dragon’s Dogma 2 on Switch 2 tested!

15:14 News 2: Star Wars: Galactic Racer PC impressions

25:18 News 3: Star Wars: Galactic Racer documentary discussion

38:31 News 4: Kojima’s P.T. ported to PC

48:33 News 5: Sony sells off VR/XR patents as PS VR3 hopes dwindle

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the out-of-the-blue, completely unleaked release of QSSR upscaling for PlayStation 5, Digital Foundry supporters and the panel attempt to provide some answers, while tackling the question of whether Xbox Series consoles will receive a similar technology. Meanwhile, what are the chances of The Witcher 3 on Switch 2 getting VRR support - and what dead franchises would the DF team like to see returned and rejuvenated for modern and next-gen hardware?

00:00 Introduction

02:36 Supporter Q1: Why did Sony make QSSR?

14:11 Supporter Q2: Which games would benefit most from QSSR?

19:17 Supporter Q3: Will Microsoft release an INT8 version of FSR 4 for Xbox Series?

26:18 Supporter Q4: Should The Witcher 3 get VRR support on Switch 2 when docked?

31:47 Supporter Q5: What dead franchise would you like to see resurrected?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

DF returns to QSSR coverage with a closer look at Ghost of Yōtei, with John weighing in with his opinions on Marvel's Wolverine too. Rich reveals that Sony isn't the first to port an AI upscaler to a non-AI based GPU, showing FSR 4 running on the RDNA 1 Radeon RX 5700 XT. Meanwhile, John's very happy with the PC version of Gears of War: E-Day. And after sharing some stories on anniversary DF content, the Star Wars Galactic Racer review embargo hits in real-time - and John's got a lot to say about it...

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:13 News 1: QSSR tested in Ghost of Yōtei

0:25:19 News 2: FSR 4 port on RDNA 1 RX 5700 XT

0:35:36 News 3: Gears of War: E-Day PC impressions

0:53:27 Retrospective: Switch OLED

1:00:13 Retrospective: Mantis Burn Racing 4K60 on PS4 Pro

1:06:46 Star Wars: Galactic Racer review reaction

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

A surprise to be sure - and a welcome one. Out of the blue, Sony has released QSSR - Quick Spectral Super Resolution - a refactoring of PS5 Pro's PSSR for the standard PlayStation 5. In this video, Rich and Oliver share their initial thoughts on the technology. We've got image quality comparisons from Marvel's Wolverine, we've got early performance testing from a PS5 dev kit, comparisons with PSSR and much more.

00:00 Introduction

01:29 What is QSSR?

05:28 QSSR vs IGTI

11:13 QSSR vs. PSSR

16:51 QSSR performance

26:04 Will QSSR be in GTA 6?

28:35 Concluding thoughts

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

The progress in PS5 emulation for PC is becoming extremely rapid - so just how viable is it and should Sony be worried? Meanwhile, Rich, Oliver and Will discuss a range of topics: can PS5 Pro run PSSR and FSR frame gen together? Will PCs eventually replace consoles? Can a Project Helix console replace both a gaming PC and an Xbox console? And... would the Project Helix concept have changed if Xbox had won the console generation?

00:00 Introduction

00:41 PlayStation 5 Emulation on PC gathers pace

13:55 Q1: Why can't PS5 Pro run PSSR and FSR 3.1 frame gen together?

21:27 Q2: Will PC eventually replace console gaming?

27:25 Q3: Will Halo move onto the Call of Duty engine?

34:02 Q4: Will Project Helix replace both PC and console?

39:09 Q5: Would Project Helix be different if Xbox Series won the console generation?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

An extremely busy week at the Foundry but the Direct cannot be stopped - the team discuss the latest news as the "Xbox Reset" enters Phase Two and Halo is shipped off to Activision. Meanwhile, Rich, Oliver and Tom join forces to run the rule over Silent Hill Townfall, becauise the show moves on to discuss the implications of the next-gen consoles' respective GPU TFLOPs numbers. And finally, ending the show on a high note, Rich revisits 007 First Light path tracing, finding a night and day improvement in performance over the original release.

00:00 Introduction

01:12 News 1: Halo Studios decimated as Halo moves to Activision

17:26 News 2: Silent Hill: Townfall tested on PS5, PS5 Pro, and PC!

36:54 News 3: Rumour says PS6 at 40 teraflops, Xbox Helix at 56 teraflops

48:28 News 4: 007 First Light gets path tracing performance boost

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stellar Blade on Switch 2 enforces the use of frame generation to target 60fps - and Capcom is offering the same feature with a toggle in the upcoming Dragon's Dogma 2 port. So how does it work and what have we learned from testing it in Stellar Blade? Beyond that, Tom, Rich and Oliver discuss whether next-gen hardware should be delayed, why Nintendo is avoiding DLSS in its own Switch 2 titles and whether Valve should release an ARM-based handheld. And finally, what's the point of chromatic aberration?

00:00 Introduction

00:44 Supporter Q1: Is frame gen a good fit for Switch 2 games like Stellar Blade?

17:18 Supporter Q2: Could a next-gen hardware delay be a good thing?

25:03 Supporter Q3: Does Digital Foundry need to produce a “frame health” reference?

32:28 Supporter Q4: Is Nintendo avoiding DLSS so they can switch to AMD for Switch 3?

37:44 Supporter Q5: Should the next gen Steam Deck be ARM-based?

43:15 Supporter Q6: What’s the point of chromatic aberration?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a bit of a slow week for news, the team goes hands-on with a bunch of cool games to present their findings - principal amongst them being 007 First Light's visually stunning, but incredibly taxing path tracing upgrade. Redemption Road's 12-minute Kingmakers gameplay deep dive impresses the panel before Tom delivers his thoughts on Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave on Switch 2, with Oliver testing Diablo 4 also on the Nintendo hybrid. Meanwhile, reliable leaker Kepler_L2 says that we're only looking at one new GPU launch in 2027 - and it looks like the desktop version of the same GPU slated to appear in Microsoft's Project Helix...

Looking for an ad-free Direct? Join the DF Supporter Program for a private RSS feed, ad-free video downloads, news updates from the team and more: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry

00:00 Introduction

01:17 News 1: 007 First Light gets PC path tracing patch

18:28 News 2: Kingmakers resurfaces in extended trailer

26:44 News 3: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave impressions!

39:34 News 4: Diablo 4 tested on Switch 2

47:49 News 5: Rumour: new Nvidia, AMD GPUs won’t be released until 2028

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Steam Frame just missing the embargo for the last DF Direct, John, Rich and Oliver share impressions of Valve's latest hardware plus there's some ARM standalone testing of Half-Life Alyx, Cyberpunk 2077 and Streets of Rage 4. Beyond that, it's Supporter Q+A time: why doesn't From Software fix 30fps frame-pacing issues? If DLSS 5 isn't really DLSS, how should DLSS evolve? Finally... with the legendary Kallax having been modded into Skyrim by Ikea, what other Scandinavian furniture should be added to the game?!

Want an ad-free DF Direct experience? Get a private RSS feed and high quality video downloads with the DF Supporter Program! https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Hands-On With Steam Frame, Half-Life Alyx Standalone + More

27:06 Supporter Q1: Is a language barrier to blame for Elden Ring frame-pacing issues?

35:15 Supporter Q2: What new tech should Nvidia explore in a new DLSS?

44:52 Supporter Q3: What Ikea furniture should be included in Elder Scrolls 6?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

A massive week for news. PlayStation ends decades of partnership with Hideo Kojima as Physint is cancelled by Sony - but picked up by Microsoft, meaning it's coming to Xbox. The team take a look at the surprise-but-a-welcome-one reveal of VRR coming to Switch 2 docked mode, while there's commentary and analysis on the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and a brand new Nintendo Direct. John and Oliver compare notes on Marvel's Wolverine, Rich takes us back to the PS4 Pro reveal on its tenth anniversary while John tells us about the co-op fun he's been having with Big Walk.

The DF Supporter Program gives you early access to DF Direct, an ad-free private RSS feed, high quality video downloads and more: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:28 News 1: Kojima’s Physint dropped by Sony, picked up by Microsoft

0:24:57 News 2: VRR finally available in Switch 2 docked mode

0:34:17 News 3: Ocarina of Time remake shown at Nintendo Direct

0:46:15 News 4: Nintendo Direct highlights: Kirby, Metroid, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil, Stellar Blade, Persona

1:02:00 Content discussion: have reviewers been too harsh on Wolverine?

1:13:45 Retrospective: PS4 Pro announcement

1:26:32 John recommends Big Walk!

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

The DF Direct Q+A Show returns and suffice it to say, there's a huge amount of interest around DLSS 5. Will AMD and indeed Intel deliver equivalent tech? What are the limits of DLSS 5 and how will they be overcome? Meanwhile, is Pearl Abyss developer of the year? And is The Witcher 3 Remastered evidence that CD Projekt RED will return to the RED Engine?

For an ad-free experience check out the Digital Foundry Supporter Program for ad-free high quality video downloads and a private RSS feed: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Supporter Q1: Should AMD create their own DLSS 5 equivalent? And what basic limits does the DLSS 5 architecture have?

19:32 Supporter Q2: How do Pearl Abyss develop Crimson Desert at such a breakneck pace?

23:57 Supporter Q3: Why does Onimusha: Way of the Sword skip some of RE Engine’s more advanced features?

28:16 Supporter Q4: Could CD Projekt Red be planning to use REDengine in the future?

32:27 Supporter Q5: Could Sony license PlayStation to third parties?

39:14 Supporter Q6: Why didn’t my Digital Foundry pint glass arrive with anything in it?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Digital Foundry panel convene to talk about Sony's disappointing State of Play, John shares his thoughts on the Grand Theft Auto 6 Extended Look and there are more hints about Xbox's next-gen strategy as Asha Sharma discusses a family of devices - amongst other things - in an interview with the BBC.

For an ad-free DF Direct Weekly with a private RSS feed and high quality video downloads, support us here: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:43 News 1: Sony releases disappointing State of Play

0:25:49 Supporter Q1: What does John think of the GTA 6 Extended Look?

0:41:59 Supporter Q2: Is Microsoft pivoting to a more mainstream “family” of next-gen Xboxes?

0:57:18 Supporter Q3: Will Microsoft regret their disc-to-digital program?

1:04:49 Supporter Q4: Will the PSP 3 actually be able to play PS5 games?

1:09:43 Supporter Q5: Should Nintendo implement a global frame-rate cap option for Switch 2?

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six months after its reveal, DLSS 5 has launched with NBA 2K27 and its utilisation is a world apart from the first clips, not to mention the vast array of modded footage we've seen since its leak last week. Rich, John and Oliver compare notes on the difference it makes, the huge performance cost, what is achievable with mods and more.

Join the DF Supporter Program for ad free video downloads and a private ad free RSS feed. https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:27 What is DLSS 5?

0:15:36 DLSS 5 visuals in NBA 2K27

0:25:07 DLSS 5 performance in NBA 2K27

0:42:17 Mods: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

0:50:03 Mods: Forza Horizon 6, Monster Hunter Rise, Starfield

1:00:14 Concluding thoughts

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Grand Theft Auto 6's gameplay reveal somewhat overshadowed proceedings, it was indeed Gamescom 2026 this week and with Rich's legs giving out, it was down to John to represent us at the show. So, after dispensing with some gaming and technology news, John delivers his own "best of" tour of Gamescom, discussing the titles he loved.

Looking to enjoy DF Direct Weekly ad-free? Gain access to a private RSS feed and video downloads on our Patreon: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:01 News 1: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered revealed

0:12:52 News 2: Xbox disc to digital program officially announced

0:23:18 Gamescom demos: Fable

0:30:46 Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

0:38:01 Capcom: Mega Man: Dual Override, Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen

0:46:51 Sega: Alien Isolation 2, Stranger than Heaven

0:54:48 Konami: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Silent Hill: Townfall

1:10:20 State of Decay 3

Hosted on Acast. See https://acast.com/privacy for more information.