Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

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 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 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 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 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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 minutes of actual GTA 6 gameplay "dropped" - and on balance, it's one of the most extraordinary visual accomplishments ever seen in real-time game graphics. It's not perfect - nothing can be - but in this DF Direct Special, Oliver and Rich share their thoughts and reactions to the presentation. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:24 Overall impressions 0:10:09 Performance: 30 FPS only 0:25:22 Lighting: shadowmaps, RT reflections, RTGI 0:37:31 Simulation and the open world 0:45:49 Image quality 0:50:57 Supporter Q1: How will next-gen consoles and PCs improve on the PS5 visuals? 0:56:55 Supporter Q2: Will PS5 Pro fix GTA 6’s image quality issues? 1:01:45 Supporter Q3: Will GTA 6 become a new highly contested PC benchmark? 1:04:56 Supporter Q4: How did the Netflix-only trailer launch go? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the time of recording, it was the lull before the storm that is Gamescom 2026 - but we've still got a bunch of fascinating questions to wade through. Have we got it all wrong with PlayStation 6? Is it actually the hotly rumoured handheld with Sony pivoting in a Nintendo-like direction? If games hit photorealism, where does that leave Digital Foundry? And are plasma TVs the new CRT? 00:00 Introduction 01:21 Sponsored by MSI QD-OLED 02:42 Supporter Q1: Could the next-gen PSP and PS6 be the same thing? 14:26 Supporter Q2: Should PC games rename their graphics settings to constrain performance expectations? 22:27 Supporter Q3: If games become photorealistic, what will Digital Foundry do? 31:20 Supporter Q4: Are plasma TVs the new CRTs? 42:58 Supporter Q5: Will DF leave secret messages about upcoming hardware in DF Directs? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're not going to be commenting on leaks from a stolen GTA 6 build that's years old and promoting a memecoin but we WILL be talking about Sony's comments on not knowing PS6's pricing and release date and assessing the Black Myth Zhong Kui gameplay reveal. Rich is intrigued by Alan Wake's big PC upgrade for AMD users, while John muses over the reported end of live service elements in Horizon Hunters Gathering. Finally, five years ago, Alex made a range of predictions about Switch 2 and DLSS... so how accurate did they turn out to be? 0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:49 News 1: Sony undecided on PS6 release date 0:20:18 News 2: Remedy adds FSR 4.1 support in Alan Wake 2 0:27:23 News 3: Black Myth: Zhong Kui demoed 0:34:57 News 4: Horizon: Hunters Gathering drops live service elements 0:45:38 News 5: Doom ported to 12 year old camera 0:51:59 Retrospective: Alex’s Switch 2 DLSS predictions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bethesda is promising a new patch for Oblivion Remastered based on the Switch 2 version's optimisations - but is there any evidence to suggest that the Switch 2 improvements will make any real differences for the other versions? Meanwhile, Oliver clarifies his comments on which PC specs reflect next-gen consoles, whether Project Helix will make much of a difference for Microsoft and whether Epic should make their own console (!). Finally, how come Switch 2 hasn't really much in the way of cross-gen first party exclusives? 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Supporter Q1: Can Switch 2 Optimisations Fix Oblivion Remastered on other systems? 16:47 Supporter Q2: How should we think about GPU VRAM and next gen consoles? 25:13 Supporter Q3: How was Nintendo able to transition from Switch 1 to Switch 2 so quickly? 32:24 Supporter Q4: If Microsoft stops shipping Xboxes, what will be lost? 40:57 Supporter Q5: Is Valve not being stringent enough with their Steam Deck Verified program? 45:49 Supporter Q6: Should Epic make their own Epic Games Machine with Unreal Engine optimizations? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team react to Pearl Abyss' statement that Crimson Desert is - somehow - coming to Switch 2, but the first order of business is to share impressions (and performance testing) for the Gears of War E-Day MP beta on PC... and while extremely impressive, we do have some concerns. Rich tests a remarkable system for playing Switch 2 games on the go in TV move with a virtual 174-inch OLED display, John's excited by a new wave of announced VR titles, there's curiousity around Xbox/Game Pass app games coming to Linux and there's some eyebrow-raising data on Resident Evil Requiem physical disc sales. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:36 News 1: Gears of War: E-Day tested on PC! 0:24:28 News 2: Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert confirmed 0:36:11 News 3: Viture Beast, Pro 2 XR glasses tested 0:50:11 News 4: Resident Evil Requiem figures show high physical sales 1:00:37 News 5: Project Xodus brings Xbox PC games to Linux, Mac 1:09:23 News 6: VR Games Showcase demos upcoming VR titles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a year since Digital Foundry parted ways with IGN, buying out its shares and becoming completely independent. The team discuss the challenges of the last 12 months within the context of continuing bad news within the games business, before discussing what we've achieved from our objectives, where we've fallen short and how we're looking to revamp our tools. Beyond that, there are more questions about the future of the console business, the idea of an Xbox Helix "add in card" for PC, how Nintendo has achieved success without compromising its identity and finally... what PC spec today would match the consoles of tomorrow? 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Celebrating one year of DF independence! 27:42 Supporter Q1: Should we blame Microsoft for the state of PlayStation? 37:32 Supporter Q2: Should Sony follow Nintendo’s first-party centric console approach? 46:22 Supporter Q3: Could Xbox Helix be a system-on-a-chip for PC systems? 50:46 Supporter Q4: What PC hardware will you need for next generation games? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was looking like a fairly quiet week turned into a frenzy with the news that Rockstar will be publishing an "extended look" at Grand Theft Auto 6 on August 27 - but what should we expect? And why on earth would Netflix pay for a six-hour exclusivity window? Meanwhile, The Verge reveals Microsoft docs confirming Xbox 360 emulation for PC, Xbox Disc2Digital should be coming soon and someone has Half-Life Alyx kinda running on Meta Quest 3. Finally can the Steam Hardware Survey really be trusted? Are there really more 16GB GPUs out there than 8GB GPUs? 0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:26 Sponsored by Alienware 0:03:46 News 1: Rockstar announces GTA 6 “Extended Look” 0:22:54 News 2: QuakeCon 2026 brings back Quake memories 0:44:46 News 3: Xbox 360 games reportedly coming to PC backwards compatibility 0:57:55 News 4: Half-Life Alyx demoed on Meta Quest 3 1:07:22 News 5: Steam Hardware Survey suggests 16GB GPUs, 8 core CPUs are ascendant 1:16:40 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It took a Q+A session of its own within a financial earnings call - as opposed to talking directly to its users - but Sony has finally responded to the backlash whipped up by its announcement of the cancellation of physical media. What do we make of the response? And if it's just a small minority of PlayStation users upset by the news, is it right that Sony ignores the very negative feedback? Beyond that, we talk next-gen "secret source", whether it's possible for PC users to get a curated out-of-the-box "good settings experience" and where does Project Helix back-compat stand compared to PlayStation 6? 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Supporter Q1: Does Sony’s response to disc discontinuation critics miss the mark? 19:46 Supporter Q2: Do disc enthusiasts represent a minority Sony can ignore? 33:27 Supporter Q3: What ‘secret sauce’ will sell PS6 and Xbox Helix? 42:52 Supporter Q4: Is it too much of a hassle to get good PC performance? 49:34 Supporter Q5: Will Helix be disadvantaged relative to PS6 when playing last gen software? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The news has been pretty grim for the last few months, so why not concentrate on the positives? PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have delivered the best performing videogame generation since the 16-bit 2D era with more support for 60fps gaming than any other 3D-focused console. How did this happen and what are the drawbacks? Meanwhile, if those same consoles are effectively pint-sized PCs using PC components, why is there the sense that PC gaming is far less performant than it should be? John, Rich and Oliver discuss this, with a cameo from Tom talking Splatoon Raiders and OG Xbox "back compat" improvements. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:41 News 1: This is the most performant console generation in 30 years... but what about PC? 0:32:23 News 2: Have we gone too easy on Halo: Campaign Evolved? 0:47:00 News 3: Will Xbox Helix cut out Steam? 0:59:05 News 4: Splatoon Raiders tested! 1:14:40 News 5: Improvements for Xbox BC on PC! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hardware situation grows more bleak by the week, so where does this leave next generation consoles? If they're too expensive, will developers target them over current-gen hardware? Is enhanced RT and path tracing enough to make people upgrade? Will there be actual next-gen exclusives? Would it make more sense to buy a higher-end PC now? All this and more is discussed in the latest show. 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Supporter Q1: Why should people want next-gen consoles? 19:09 Supporter Q2: Will people hold on to PS5 and Series X to play their disc games? 28:59 Supporter Q3: Should we just buy expensive PCs now, in lieu of next-gen consoles? 40:29 Supporter Q4: Does Xbox BC on PC threaten Steam? 46:57 Supporter Q5: Will we see future Xbox ports for Switch 2? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest DF Direct Weekly, we go deeper into the OG Xbox emulator for PC... which is actually running within an Xbox 360 emulator, Inception-style. So what's the masterplan from Microsoft? The team mull over the reaction to Halo: Campaign Evolved, more details emerge on the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 2 and it's panic stations - again - as Valve predicts that the memory crisis is only going to get worse. Much worse. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:03:25 News 1: Xbox BC tested on PC! 0:23:48 News 2: Halo Campaign Evolved: a beautiful remake 0:44:56 News 3: Konami reveals resolution, frame-rate targets for new MGS collection 0:55:40 News 4: Valve warns memory crisis “getting worse” 1:10:24 Retrospective: Xbox One S review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Q+A show returns, with Rich, Oliver and Will getting to grips with the potential of the Creation Engine 3 in The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, while assessing the merits of Doom as THE great American videogame. Sony's new vapour chamber patent is considered for PS6 viability, while questions linger over what Sega's support for Nvidia's RTX Spark actually amounts to. And there's more: what would the generation have looked like if it stuck to 30fps? Is Sony killing discs really about its post-handheld ecosystem? And what's the deal with Oliver's cat? 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Supporter Q1: What can we expect from Bethesda’s Creation Engine 3? 13:58 Supporter Q2: Is Doom (1993) the great American video game? 20:37 Supporter Q3: Does Sony’s new vapour chamber patent mean they are ditching liquid metal? 26:58 Supporter Q4: Will developers deliver native ARM versions of their games for RTX Spark? 33:16 Supporter Q5: Would console graphics look better if developers skipped 60 FPS modes entirely? 41:40 Supporter Q6: Has the next-gen portable PlayStation driven Sony’s decision to kill discs? 46:58 Supporter Q7: When will we see the non-tail parts of Oliver’s cat? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bethesda tweets out its current Fallout/Elders Scrolls plans... but why? Meanwhile, digital accounts and draconian anti-consumer limitations come into focus, the Ryzen 7 7700X3D is released and Capcom reveals good news about its upcoming Dragon's Dogma 2 Switch 2 port. Dying Light The Beast is cancelled on last-gen, rumours emerge of a Switch 2 OLED and the team reflect on the tenth anniversary of our reveal of the original Nintendo Switch specs. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:40 News 1: Bethesda announces new Fallout games in massive post 0:25:44 News 2: Streamer’s Microsoft account pulled, reinstated after outcry 0:47:51 News 3: Capcom claims Dragon’s Dogma 2 on Switch 2 “exceeding expectations” 0:58:04 News 4: Dying Light: The Beast cancelled on last-gen consoles 1:06:34 News 5: Ryzen 7700X3D tested! 1:18:13 News 6: Nintendo reportedly considering Switch 2 OLED 1:28:22 Retrospective: Nintendo Switch 1 specs reveal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fallout from the Xbox Reset continues as more questions are raised: does Xbox's recent pivots change the plan for Project Helix? Will it still allow other PC stores to run on it? Will it have a disc drive? Meanwhile, other questions are asked: will cancelling PlayStation Plus make Sony rethink its physical media cancellation? What about the "code in the box" GTA 6? And is Nintendo the last platform holder that not to lay-off its developers and antagonise its audience? 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Supporter Q1: If Microsoft makes so much money as a platform holder, why will Project Helix let you play Steam games? 14:41 Supporter Q2: Could Project Helix have an optional disc drive? 19:46 Supporter Q3: Could players sway Sony’s mind on PS5 discs by cancelling PlayStation Plus? 26:09 Supporter Q4: What’s the worst thing Nintendo has ever done? 34:20 Supporter Q5: Should we buy GTA 6 in physical form to prove a point to Sony and Take-Two? 37:17 Supporter Q6: What PS3 game should get the Black Flag Resynced treatment? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of the outcry against the decimation of id Software, Microsoft and seemingly id itself try to downplay the damage and reassure the audience - but what do we think of this - and indeed John Carmack's statements on the issue? Meanwhile Oliver has some bad news about Call of Duty Black Ops on PS5 or rather, the "Just There" edition as Rich dubs it. Beyond that, the petition against the end of PS5 physical media crosses the 250,000 threshold and there's further evidence that RTX 50 Series Super is happening. Finally, after wading through a bunch of bad news, the team find something to celebrate as we hit the five year anniversary of the Steam Deck reveal. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:32 News 1: Doom: The Dark Ages DLC arrives, while id layoffs linger 0:35:23 News 2: “Don’t kill the disc” petition crosses 250,000 signatures 0:55:07 News 3: Black Ops 1 & 2 launch on PS4, PS5 1:02:53 News 4: PSU maker drops RTX 50 Super series info 1:13:18 Retrospective: 5 years of Steam Deck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.