Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

In the latest edition of the DF Direct Q+A show, we tackle the question of whether Switch 2 and the upcoming Sony handheld should spawn cheaper "micro-console" variants. We ponder the reasons behind the delay of the Switch 2 port of 007 First Light. Why do Xbox games have screen-tearing where Sony versions do not? And a big one - is console gaming and gaming in general stagnating?

00:00 Introduction
00:44 Supporter Q1: Should Nintendo release a home console-only version of Switch 2? And should Sony package their PS6 handheld as a home console?
10:16 Supporter Q2: Given recent handheld price spikes, what’s a realistic price for a PS6 handheld?
16:36 Supporter Q3: Is the 007 First Light delay for Switch 2 a good thing?
22:06 Supporter Q4: Why do Xbox games often tear when their PS5 counterparts are perfectly v-synced?
28:50 Supporter Q5: Have console stagnation and game engine homogeneity made gaming boring?
38:51 Supporter Q6: Should PC settings options be less granular?
45:58 Supporter Q7: Should console game devs introduce settings that don’t do anything to placate users?

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It's another BIG Direct! The embargo for Pragmata lifts today and John and Rich share their thoughts on the PC version ahead of a look at all of the console versions later in the week. The team discuss the recent round of Forza Horizon 6 previews, before moving on to the highs and the lows of playing Samson from Liquid Swords. Alex has much to share about Nvidia's latest path tracing innovations, Rich is intrigued by Nvidia's upcoming Nvidia N1/N1X based laptops, while the reveal of an amazing Super Mario Bros demo on Sega Master System leads to some disturbing anecdotes from Rich.


0:00:00 Introduction0:00:56 News 1: Pragmata tested on PC!0:15:09 News 2: Forza Horizon 6 impresses in new previews0:26:06 News 3 Samson proves deeply disappointing0:48:12 News 4: Nvidia talks path tracing advances at GDC1:02:21 News 5: Nvidia N1 motherboard leaks1:12:14 News 6: Super Mario Brothers demoed on Sega Master System

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In the wake of pricing discussion at the end of DF Direct Weekly #258, Rich opens up the question to the audience: how much would you pay for PlayStation 6? And will it support physical media? If a Sony handheld arrives, how will it play your older PlayStation titles? And moving away from next-gen Sony, will Project Helix have configurable memory options? And if you're not so interested in consoles, is there actually a good time to upgrade your PC? Finally, with Crimson Desert offering so many different options at this point, should console users just get the full PC graphics menu?

01:14 Supporter Q1: How much would you be willing to pay for a PS6?
23:31 Supporter Q2: Will the PS6 have a detachable disc drive?
27:39 Supporter Q3: Can Sony square a PS6 handheld with existing physical game libraries?
33:46 Supporter Q4: Is this actually a good time to upgrade my PC?
39:41 Supporter Q5: Could Project Helix have configurable RAM?
44:48 Supporter Q6: Should Crimson Desert offer PC-like settings configurability on consoles?

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Pearl Abyss has started research into a Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert, but warns that there may be cutbacks and changes - so what would they be? Rich, John and Alex discuss before moving onto a brace of new Nvidia technologies. DLSS Dynamic Multi Frame-Gen feels like it isn't quite finished, while Auto Shader Compilation also feels early - failing to address the main #StutterStruggle problem. John shares his impressions of Daytona USA on MAME, the team assess the latest PS6 leaks, while unearthing original Assassin's Creed Unity E3 2014 trailers raises a lot of questions...

0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:50 News 1: Crimson Desert Switch 2 has begun R&D
0:12:08 News 2: DLSS 4.5 Dynamic Multi Frame Gen tested!
0:32:55 News 3: Nvidia Auto Shader Compilation aims to smooth driver updates
0:45:25 News 4: Daytona USA finally in great shape on MAME
0:56:28 News 5: PS6 leaks: Handheld CPU spec, BoM cost, online infrastructure
1:12:49 Content discussion: E3 2014 Assassin’s Creed Unity demos

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With ten episodes of the DF Retro Super Show under their belts - 11 if you want to include the Analogue 3D review - John, Coury and Marc hand over the topic selection duties to backers of the DF Supporter Program. After discussing the latest retro news, it's straight into tackling questions direct from the audience.

00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - News 1 - Popcorn and Spinner Kickstarter
06:49 - News 2 - Retrotap from Kytor Industries
14:10 - News 3 - Evercade Nexus
21:58 - News 4 - Tokyo Wave Rush
27:01 - MAIN TOPIC: Q1 - "What new games would you like to see a demake of?"
32:55 - Q2 - "Can new LCD tech make old light guns work?"
36:10 - Q3 - "Do you have any arcade hardware?"
47:52 - Q4 - "What would the 5th Gen of consoles have been like without Sony?"
57:57 - Q5 - "Recommend some current retro-inspired RPGs"
1:07:00 - Q6 - "Top 3 Best looking pieces of retro hardware"
1:15:40 - Q7 - "What do you think of the recompilations of old games that have been released lately?"
1:23:12 - Q8 - "What are your holy grail games?"
1:28:00 - Q9 - "Is the Sega CD more than a FMV machine?"
1:38:04 - Q10 - "Different versions of the same game in the old days"
1:47:27 - Q11 - "Castlevania Bloodlines or Super Castlevania 4?"
1:52:58 - Q12 - "Considerations for buying modern displays to use with classic games"
1:59:07 - Q13 - "Nintendo64 or Game Sack?"

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