Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

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.

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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"...?

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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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 Introduction
0:00:34 News 1: Where Next For Xbox? Asha Sharma First Interview
0:30:47 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 previewed
0:57:21 News 5: Could new Sony upscaler tech replace DRS?
1:06:39 Content discussion: reflecting on Requiem

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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?

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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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.

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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