DF Direct Weekly #146: Developer_Direct - Superb! Indiana Jones, Hellblade 2 + More Reaction
Jan 22, 2024
auto_awesome
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the impressive Indiana Jones game revealed in Xbox's Developer_Direct. They also explore Xbox's strategy of moving away from physical media and the challenges of game preservation. Furthermore, they share their thoughts on the Last of Us Part Two game and the potential future of Naughty Dog games. Additionally, they analyze the performance of the Ryzen 5 and Radeon 7 graphics cards and delve into the challenges of implementing 60 FPS patches for consoles. Lastly, they discuss the trend towards Unreal Engine and the impact of the Steam Deck on Linux.
02:08:53
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Avowed is a fantasy RPG with a unique visual style and focus on dialogue and storytelling, set to release this year.
Visions of Mana offers a bright and colorful fantasy world with striking visuals and immersive sound design, launching this summer.
Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga features a visually stunning and atmospheric world, emphasizing binaural audio and revamped combat, to be released in the future.
Digital Foundry Direct 2024 showcased upcoming games with distinct styles and advancements in graphics and audio quality, highlighting the exciting future of gaming.
Microsoft's focus on digital distribution and the absence of physical versions for Hellblade 2 raised concerns about the decline of physical media in the Xbox ecosystem, aligning with industry-wide developments and the popularity of digital distribution platforms.
Deep dives
Avowed: A Promising Fantasy RPG with Unique Visuals
Avowed is a fantasy RPG developed by Obsidian. The game showcases a unique visual style and is set in a fantasy world. While the gameplay details are still limited, the trailer suggests that it will feature action-RPG elements. The game is powered by Unreal Engine 5 and boasts impressive hair rendering and detailed character models. The focus on dialogue and storytelling, which Obsidian is known for, is also present in Avowed. The game is set to release this year.
Visions of Mana: An Exciting Revival of a Classic Series
Visions of Mana brings new life to the Mana series, presenting a bright and colorful fantasy world with unique character designs. The game's visual style is striking, and the showcased monsters and animations demonstrate the attention to detail in their designs. The trailer highlights the importance of sound design, which plays a crucial role in creating an immersive experience. Visions of Mana is set to be released this summer.
Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga Continuing the Powerful Journey
Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga continues the emotional and haunting journey of Senua in a visually stunning and atmospheric world. The developer underlined the importance of binaural audio, showcasing the use of headphones in creating an immersive audio experience. The combat system has been revamped and shows more nuance compared to its predecessor. The game is being developed in Unreal Engine 5 and demonstrates impressive character rendering and visual effects. Hellblade 2 is set to release in the future.
Digital Foundry Direct 2024: A Showcase of Exciting Games and Visuals
Digital Foundry Direct 2024 provided a glimpse into several upcoming games and the technologies powering them. The presentation focused on highlighting the gameplay, visuals, and unique aspects of each game. The games showcased included Avowed, Visions of Mana, and Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga. Each game exhibited its own distinct style and demonstrated the advancements in graphics and audio quality. The event served as a reminder of the exciting future of gaming and the potential of new technologies.
The Future of Physical Media and Xbox's Strategy
The developer underscore direct event raised concerns about the future of physical media in gaming. Microsoft's focus on digital distribution and the absence of physical versions for Hellblade 2 sparked discussions about the potential decline of physical media in the Xbox ecosystem. This follows the trend of Microsoft's push toward a digital-centric strategy, with the all-digital variant of the Xbox Series X and the availability of games on Xbox Game Pass. While the trend may disappoint physical media enthusiasts, it aligns with industry-wide developments and the increasing popularity of digital distribution platforms.
Bulletstorm VR on Meta Quest
Bulletstorm VR on Meta Quest received negative feedback as it didn't translate well to VR. The camera movement, interaction mechanics, and cutscenes were all subpar and detracted from the overall experience. It felt flimsy and didn't capture the essence of the original game. Refunds were sought due to the disappointing VR implementation.
Proper 60 FPS patches for consoles
Implementing proper 60 FPS patches for consoles requires overcoming various challenges. While it may seem as simple as flipping a switch, it actually involves porting the game to a new development environment, which is not always a trivial task. Developers need to work with the official cross-platform SDK and navigate the intricacies of getting the game onto the store. However, it is a worthwhile endeavor as it can completely transform the feel of a game and drive sales.
2023: The Year of In-House Engines
2023 showcased several games built on in-house engines, such as Alan Wake 2, Avatar, and Resident Evil 4 Remake. While Unreal Engine 5 has made strides toward better performance and scalability, the decision to build an in-house engine is often driven by the desire for proprietary technology and customization. Many developers still prefer working with their own engines rather than adopting Unreal Engine, and this trend is likely to continue, especially among larger studios like Capcom, EA, and Ubisoft.
The Year of Linux for Gaming
The Steam Deck has generated excitement for Linux in gaming, but its success is primarily driven by its proprietary software rather than Linux itself. Linux has yet to reach a significant impact in gaming, and the challenges of developer adoption, testing, marketing, and compatibility remain. However, projects like the Steam Deck contribute to the continued growth and visibility of Linux in the gaming industry.
Microsoft's latest Developer_Direct makes the right impression with the DF team this week, with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in particular attracting unrestricted praise. Meanwhile, we've got to talk about what's happening with physical media releases on Xbox, there are many questions to answer about the Nvidia RTX 40-series Super refresh and John's not happy about Bulletstorm VR.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:44 News 01: Developer_Direct 2024 reaction: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
0:21:06 News 01: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
0:33:41 News 01: Ara: History Untold
0:39:35 News 01: Visions of Mana
0:46:15 News 01: Avowed
0:54:03 News 02: Hellblade 2 to go physical-only
1:10:49 News 03: Is The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered worthwhile?
1:23:08 News 04: RTX 40 Super series reaction + Q&A
1:45:50 News 05: Bulletstorm VR is a disappointment
1:53:05 Supporter Q1: How much manpower does it take to produce current-gen 60fps patches for consoles?
1:57:32 Supporter Q2: Was 2023 the year of the in-house engine?
2:04:24 Supporter Q3: Will 2024 be the year of Linux gaming?
