Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

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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In our first spin-off Q+A show, it's pretty clear what the community is discussing: what's going on with Unreal Engine 5 games in terms of image quality and performance? Are compromised experiences now "part of the furniture" or can/will something be done? Beyond that, we discuss how YouTube quality issues impact our work, whether gaming laptops serve any purpose in the era of the handheld, whether you should play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2 and if Nvidia really has left the gamer behind. And finally, if we could bring back/remaster/remake any old game, what would it be?

00:00 Introduction
01:05 Supporter Q1: Should we challenge Unreal Engine performance issues more often? 
23:14 Supporter Q2: Why do people mistake YouTube issues for game issues? 
31:03 Supporter Q3: Do gaming laptops make sense in an era of Switch 2 and PC handhelds? 
39:04 Supporter Q4: Is Death Stranding 2 a good point to jump in if you haven’t played the original? 
41:50 Supporter Q5: Why is Nvidia skipping new consumer GPU releases this year? 
52:02 Supporter Q6: Which game would you rescue from obsolete hardware?

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