DF Direct Weekly #219: Xbox/AMD Next-Gen Partnership, Donkey Kong Bananza, Neural Texture Update
Jun 24, 2025
The team dives into the exciting partnership between Xbox and AMD, pondering the future of Xbox hardware and the potential for a PC-like experience. Nintendo's vibrant 'Donkey Kong Bananza' also gets attention, showcasing impressive graphics and gameplay mechanics. Innovations in neural texture compression are highlighted, promising to enhance gaming visuals. The challenges facing the Switch 2, particularly with ports like 'Ark: Survival Evolved,' spark discussion about power and performance in the next-gen gaming landscape. A thrilling showdown between AMD and NVIDIA adds more intrigue!
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insights INSIGHT
Xbox Innovates with Windows Focus
Microsoft's Xbox future centers on Windows-based devices, blending console and PC ecosystem elements.
Backwards compatibility remains key, but exact implementation details remain unclear.
insights INSIGHT
Xbox Next-Gen Hardware Vision
Next-gen Xbox likely involves a mix of custom AMD SOCs and Windows optimizations for a console-like experience.
Microsoft aims to unify Xbox software features across devices while maintaining backward compatibility.
insights INSIGHT
Xbox Expands Beyond Traditional Consoles
Microsoft's move signals a shift to multi-device Xbox strategy including handheld and cloud platforms.
Emphasis on gaming-optimized chips may redefine future console and PC hardware integration.
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In a packed new Direct, the team convene to discuss the detail - and lack of it - in Xbox and AMD's next-gen partnership announcement. What is the future of the Xbox console? Are MS/AMD looking to compete in the PC prebuilt market? Is the Xbox Ally X part of this arrangement? Is Windows truly capable of working as a robust console-style OS? Meanwhile, thoughts are shared on Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, while Rich tracks down working code for the original, truly dreadful Ark: Survival Evolved port - does Switch 2 have enough horsepower to tame one of the worst conversions ever? Spoilers: not entirely...
In a packed new Direct, the team convene to discuss the detail - and lack of it - in Xbox and AMD's next-gen partnership announcement. What is the future of the Xbox console? Are MS/AMD looking to compete in the PC prebuilt market? Is the Xbox Ally X part of this arrangement? Is Windows truly capable of working as a robust console-style OS? Meanwhile, thoughts are shared on Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza Direct, while Rich tracks down working code for the original, truly dreadful Ark: Survival Evolved port - does Switch 2 have enough horsepower to tame one of the worst conversions ever? Spoilers: not entirely...
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0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:10 News 1: Xbox-AMD partnership announced for next gen
0:31:55 News 2: Donkey Kong Bananza Direct reaction
0:47:29 News 3: Neural Texture Compression improvements detailed
1:00:08 News 4: Original Ark port tested on Switch 2!
1:10:37 Supporter Q1: Does AMD dominate the broader gaming market, in light of Microsoft’s announcement?
1:18:35 Supporter Q2: With Microsoft’s Windows console shift, will Sony change their PC strategy?
1:27:06 Supporter Q3: Will Microsoft allow Windows to run on Series S and X?
1:30:45 Supporter Q4: Will Nintendo or Microsoft ultimately triumph in console strategy?
1:32:58 Supporter Q5: As Apple expands their rendering tech, will DF do more Mac game testing?
1:40:53 Supporter Q6: Is there room to evolve The Witcher 4’s graphics for high-end PCs?
Digital Foundry Direct Weekly