DF Direct Weekly #214: No Switch 2 Launch Reviews? Next-Gen Xbox Using ARM + The "Forced RT" Debate!
In this week's Direct, Rich, John and Alex discuss the strongly rumoured plans for NO Switch 2 launch reviews, along with apparent news that the next-gen Xbox will use ARM-based Snapdragon processors. Rich tests out our in-development VRR capture/analysis tools with Days Gone Remastered, measures the ongoing PS5 VRR stutter effect while Alex shares his excitement for Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows disclosures. Finally, John's excited about the new Backbone Pro controller - which is much more than just a mobile controller peripheral.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:57 News 1: Nintendo reportedly not sending early Switch 2 review units
0:11:52 News 2: Should we criticize “forced ray tracing”?
0:32:03 News 3: Next-gen Xbox to use Snapdragon ARM chips?
0:43:03 News 4: Assassin’s Creed Shadows devs spill ray tracing revelations
0:59:11 News 5: Days Gone patch brings balanced modes, VRR support
1:13:27 News 6: John tests the Backbone Pro
1:23:23 Supporter Q1: Are we reaching the end of the home console era?
1:29:46 Supporter Q2: Should Halo run on id Tech?
1:38:38 Supporter Q3: Could Doom: The Dark Ages get a PS4 version? A Switch 2 version?
1:41:55 Supporter Q4: What happened to the review of Spider-Man 2 on PC?
1:48:33 Supporter Q5: What are your favourite memories of the Sega Saturn?
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Switch 2 mysteries are finally resolved as two independent analyses confirm an 8nm processor... with a twist. Meanwhile, Rich, Alex and Oliver debate the meaning of 'gameplay' with regards to Grand Theft Auto 6, Trailer 2 while the team compares notes on the Asus ROG Ally 2, Xbox Project Kennan leaks. Oliver stacks up Switch 2 Final Fantasy 7 Remake footage against the PS5 performance mode, while Nvidia's plan to launch RTX 5060 without any accompanying reviews does not go down particularly well with the team.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:09 News 1: Switch 2 SoC examined under a microscope!
0:22:00 News 2: Rockstar claims GTA 6 trailer is half gameplay
0:40:06 News 3: ROG Ally 2 and Project Kennan handhelds leak
0:53:15 News 4: New FF7 Remake Switch 2 footage analyzed!
1:05:24 News 5: Nvidia holding back RTX 5060 drivers until launch
1:22:56 Supporter Q1: Should AMD continue to work on FSR 3? Will we get FSR 4 quality upscaling in GTA 6 on PS5 Pro?
1:28:04 Supporter Q2: Could we get a Switch 2 version of GTA 6?
1:35:01 Supporter Q3: How will GTA 6 scale to Series S?
1:42:18 Supporter Q4: What do you think of viewers using DF Direct as a sleeping aid?
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1:45:30
DF Direct Weekly #212: Big Xbox Price Hikes, Doom The Dark Ages Path Tracing, Far Cry 4 60FPS!
Microsoft's astonishing price hikes for Xbox Series consoles dominate the discussion this week, before Rich, John and Alex move on to discussing topics as diverse as Doom: The Dark Age's path tracing, Far Cry 4's 60FPS update, along with RTX 5070 Super and 5080 Super rumours. Meanwhile, Alex gets to grips with Oblivion Remastered PC anti-stutter "mods", trying to figure out if any of them work. Meanwhile, John is not particularly happy with Nintendo's virtual game cards stripping out a key game sharing feature.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:54 News 1: Microsoft hiking Xbox prices
0:21:55 News 2: Doom: The Dark Ages screenshot shows off path tracing
0:35:40 News 3: Oblivion anti-stutter mods tested!
0:54:24 News 4: Switch update strips some online game sharing
1:03:49 News 5: 60 FPS update released for Far Cry 4 on PS5
1:16:27 News 6: RTX 5070 Super, 5080 Super reportedly pack VRAM boost
1:30:48 Supporter Q1: Why are prominent games journalism sites being hollowed out?
1:44:02 Supporter Q2: Will we see a lot of fully-featured UE5 games on Switch 2?
1:49:32 Supporter Q3: Why does Switch 2 have RT cores?
1:55:16 Supporter Q4: Is 8K TV tech pointless?
2:00:32 Supporter Q5: Are high end CPUs necessary for 4K60 PC gaming?
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2:12:54
DF Direct Weekly #211: Days Gone Remastered Hands-On, Ghost of Yōtei Reaction, Switch 2 Game Keys!
Review code delivered on launch day is never a good look, but this week's Direct kicks off with Rich's positive words for Days Gone Remastered with very, very early impressions of the PS5 Pro version of the game. Meanwhile, the team compares notes on Sucker Punch's latest Ghost of Yōtei trailer, while a returning John makes his feelings abundantly clear about Nintendo's Game Key card initiative. Sticking with Switch 2, the varying pricing level for Switch 2 Editions causes some concerns, while the release of Sony's PS5 Pro teardown arrives in lock-step with the arrival of Rich's Pro motherboard. And finally, just who gets to decide who guests on each episode of DF Direct Weekly?
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:01 News 1: Days Gone Remastered tested!
0:15:33 News 2: Ghost of Yōtei release date trailer drops
0:28:59 News 3: Switch 2 Edition upgrades vary in price
0:41:21 News 4: Game Key Cards dominate early Switch 2 software
0:52:43 News 5: Clarifying Switch 2 game resolutions
1:07:55 News 6: Sony publishes PS5 Pro teardown
1:17:04 Supporter Q1: How do you manage personnel on DF Direct?
1:21:56 Supporter Q2: Will Elder Scrolls 6 use Unreal Engine for rendering?
1:27:04 Supporter Q3: What’s with the poor FMV quality in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
1:37:19 Supporter Q4: Is PS5 VRR stutter proof that most gamers don’t care about stutter?
1:44:47 Supporter Q5: Can you raise awareness of the current Game Pass driver issues on PC?
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1:53:36
DF Direct Special: Hands On With Switch 2 - The Hardware, The Games & The Experience
Fresh from visiting the Nintendo Switch 2 showcase event in London on April 11th, Tom and Rich sat down with Oliver to discuss their hands-on experience with the hardware, sharing details on the ergonomics, the screen, the controllers and much more - and then it's on to the games, including the big Nintendo heavy hitters, Street Fighter 6, Hogwarts Legacy, the GameCube emulator and much, much more.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:25 Hardware Impressions
0:14:19 Mario Kart World
0:24:26 Metroid Prime 4
0:35:10 Donkey Kong Bananza
0:45:08 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
0:49:58 Street Fighter 6
0:57:26 Hogwarts Legacy
1:05:48 GameCube emulation
1:10:09 Final Thoughts
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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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