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 t...
DF Direct Weekly #206: Xbox/Steam Leak, The Last of Us Part 2 PC Specs, DXR 1.2 Announcement
Another week, another DF Direct Weekly, with Rich, Alex and Oliver tackling a range of topics including the unfortunate (for Microsoft) Xbox/Steam leak and the reveal of Microsoft's DXR 1.2 - which essentially standardises key features from Nvidia's RTX 40-series to all GPU vendors. Meanwhile, Alex isn't particulary impressed by the recommended specs for The Last of Us Part 2, while Rich is probably even less taken by the PC port of Rise of the Ronin. However, the levels of disappointment here can't compare with Oliver's reaction to the Mac port of Assassin's Creed Shadows...
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:58 News 1: Xbox App Steam mock-up leaks
0:14:03 News 2: Assassin’s Creed Shadows disappoints on Mac + Supporter Shadows questions!
0:37:56 News 3: DXR 1.2 announced
0:49:02 News 4: The Last of Us Part 2 PC specs drop
0:58:56 News 5: Rise of the Ronin PC tested!
1:08:56 Supporter Q1: Should developers include a console settings preset in their PC versions?
1:19:38 Supporter Q2: Will Switch 2 have a 120Hz, VRR, HDR capable screen?
1:23:30 Supporter Q3: How long will it take for handhelds to have PS5-level power?
1:28:56 Supporter Q4: Should reviewers test PC gaming in multitasking-heavy scenarios?
1:35:24 Supporter Q5: If consoles were to disappear, would developers be able to more closely optimize their games for PC?
1:40:27 Supporter Q6: What’s Alex’s recovery regimen after reviewing a bad PC port?
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1:47:06
DF Direct Weekly #205: Xbox 'Kennan' Handheld, Death Stranding 2, Oblivion UE5, Ryzen 9 9950X3D!
Another packed DF Direct sees Rich, Alex and Oliver at the mics, discussing topics as diverse as the Project 'Kennan' Xbox handheld, the brilliant Death Stranding 2 trailer, the mooted Oblivion UE3 remake and Sony's AI character demo. Meanwhile, Rich gets scalphed on the Ryzen 9 9950X - buit look at those benchmarks! Plus: can PS5 Pro actually run FSR 4? Is cross-gen gaming here forever? And will Xbox Series X become the definitive Xbox back-compat console?
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:38 News 1: Xbox-branded Windows handheld reportedly in development
0:19:36 News 2: Death Stranding 2 gets release date, new trailer
0:30:23 News 3: 9950X3D launches with impressive performance
0:46:43 News 4: Elder Scrolls Oblivion remake rumoured
0:55:51 News 5: AI Aloy prototype debuts in leaked footage
1:09:19 Supporter Q1: Have we underestimated PS5 Pro’s ML performance?
1:19:31 Supporter Q2: Is Nvidia betting on a big gaming performance increase for the 60 series?
1:26:47 Supporter Q3: Could the PS4 survive indefinitely as a platform?
1:31:30 Supporter Q4: How should we understand generational leaps for PC gaming?
1:36:10 Supporter Q5: Will the Series X become a sought-after retro console?
1:40:55 Supporter Q6: Could you produce videos showing carefully tailored experiences for certain graphics cards?
1:46:56 Supporter Q7: Is Nvidia’s focus on proprietary tech helping or hurting PC gaming?
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1:58:05
DF Direct Weekly #204: Cerny - FSR4 for PS5 Pro, RDNA 4 Review Reaction, Dynamic Frame-Gen
A new DF Direct sees the team discuss comments from Mark Cerny on Project Amethyst, and how a version of FSR 4 is in development for PS5 Pro. Beyond that, we rake over the coals following the RDNA 4 release - has AMD made major strides in competing against Nvidia? What about FSR 4 upscaling? What about RT and path tracing? Meanwhile, Rich tests out Lossless Scaling's dynamic frame generation technology, while John joins us to discuss the potential of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 along with his experiences with the remarkable Scalable Video Switch!
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:48 News 1: Version of FSR 4 planned for PS5 Pro
0:13:46 News 2: RDNA 4 review reaction!
0:39:28 News 3: RDNA 4 exhibits mixed path tracing performance
0:49:23 News 4: Lossless Scaling introduces adaptive frame gen
1:01:01 News 5: Apple releases new Mac Studio… with last gen chip
1:09:36 News 6: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remakes announced
1:18:20 News 7: Scalable Video Switch offers hassle-free analog gaming
1:30:04 Supporter Q1: What CPU should you pair with a 5090?
1:36:53 Supporter Q2: Should AMD or Nvidia release driver-level ML upscaling tech?
1:42:53 Supporter Q3: Why don’t PCs move towards unified RAM setups like Macs?
1:48:56 Supporter Q4: Is Nvidia going to neglect their gaming audience?
1:55:07 Supporter Q5: This gen, are we going to be able to build a console-like PC for a console-like price?
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2:07:19
DF Direct Weekly #203: AMD RDNA 4 Reveal, Fable Delayed To 2026, Forza Horizon PS5, Pokémon Legends
AMD's long awaited RDNA 4 reveal is assessed by the team and the verdict? AMD's latest looks seriously impressive. Meanwhile, the team reacts to the news that Microsoft's Fable has slipped to 2026, La Quimera from 4A off-shoot Reburn intrigues, while John gets seriously excited about Terminator 2D: No Fate. Beyond that, enhancements for Forza Horizon PS5 Pro are discussed and no, Pokémon Legends: Z-A wasn't shown running on Switch 2. And if it was, we'd be worried.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:46 News 1: AMD RDNA 4 graphics cards unveiled
0:24:17 News 2: Fable delayed to 2026
0:33:38 News 3: La Quimera impresses in debut trailer
0:41:28 News 4: Sonic Racing CrossWorlds beta tested!
0:49:39 News 5: Terminator 2D: No Fate revealed
0:56:15 Supporter Q1: What do you make of Forza Horizon 5’s modes on PS5 and PS5 Pro?
1:00:51 Supporter Q2: Was Pokémon Legends: Z-A actually exhibited running on Switch 2?
1:07:28 Supporter Q3: Will we see FSR 4 in handhelds soon?
1:11:35 Supporter Q4: Could you do a video comparing top-end PC experiences versus consoles?
1:23:31 Supporter Q5: Why have PS5 Pro sales dropped behind PS4 Pro?
1:34:07 Supporter Q6: Could a Steam Deck 2 release in 2025?
1:42:15 Supporter Q7: Should prospective PC gamers just buy a PS5 Pro, given the high price of new GPUs?
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1:51:20
DF Direct Weekly #202: GTA5 PC Gets RT Enhancements, Cyberpunk 2 News, Nvidia 5070 Ti Launch Chaos
Rich, John and Alex are back in the Direct hotseats for our 202nd edition, discussing the range of enhancements coming (for free) to the PC version of Grand Theft Auto 5. Meanwhile, clues start to emerge about the make-up of CD Projekt RED's Cyberpunk sequel, while Alex talks about Microsoft's MUSE AI game generation research. Finally, there's disappointment with Nvidia as the 5070 Ti launch is accompanied by entirely predictable chaos, while Alex demonstrates starkly how the deprecation of 32-bit CUDA support impacts legacy PC PhysX games for even the most powerful RTX 50-series cards.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:04 News 1: GTA 5 slated for PC upgrade
0:15:32 News 2: Microsoft announces game generating AI
0:32:49 News 3: Cyberpunk 2 job listing suggests ultra realistic crowds
0:44:53 News 4: 5070 Ti launches to price hikes and scalping
1:06:35 News 5: Nvidia deprecates 32-bit PhysX on 50 series GPUs
1:19:16 Supporter Q1: Couldn’t frame extrapolation solve input lag for PC games?
1:24:20 Supporter Q2: Why are so many people underwhelmed with current-gen graphics?
1:36:32 Supporter Q3: If Microsoft is giving up on console market share, where does Sony’s primary competition come from in the future?
1:42:45 Supporter Q4: With FSR 4 delivering good results, why should Sony continue to develop PSSR?
1:47:53 Supporter Q5: How can we prevent digital licensing issues when PSN is offline?
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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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