DF Direct Weekly #171: Xbox Console Controversy, Xbox Fire Stick Tested, Console Frame-Gen Returns!
Jul 15, 2024
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Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass streaming on Fire Stick 4K sparks debate. OG Xbox gets a 1.4GHz CPU upgrade. Ace Combat 7 and frame generation tested. Analysis of Black Myth: Wukong RT assets. Future video ideas and speculation on new handheld gaming devices.
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Quick takeaways
Xbox Console Controversy: Microsoft shifts focus to Game Pass in Europe over Xbox consoles, raising questions on market impact.
Console Hardware Upgrades: Pentium 3 CPUs replacing old Xbox CPUs for enhanced frame rates in gaming.
RTX Technology in Black Myth: Wukong showcases improved visuals with RTX technology, promising better graphics and performance.
Steam Machines Revival: Valve may consider another shot at Steam Machines, addressing past challenges and performance issues.
Deep dives
Upgrading OG Xbox's CPU for Improved Performance
Old Xbox CPUs are being replaced with faster Pentium 3-based CPUs in a unique hardware upgrade trend. Retro Renegade Repairs demonstrated installing a socket on an Xbox motherboard to support plug-and-play upgrades. The upgrades enhance frame rates significantly, especially notable in Half-Life 2's smoother performance.
Benchmark Improvements in Immortals of Avium with FSR3 Frame Generation
Immortals of Avium implemented FSR3 Frame Generation, making it the second console title to do so. The game offered different graphics modes with varying frame rate targets, but the implementation seemed inconsistent with baseline expectations. Dynamic resolution scaling was replaced with static resolution with frame generation on, affecting performance.
Microsoft's Strategic Shift Towards Game Pass in Europe
Microsoft is reportedly considering shifting its marketing focus from Xbox consoles to Game Pass in Europe, where Xbox sales have historically lagged compared to PlayStation. The move aligns with the global trend towards subscription services, but questions remain on how the strategy will impact the console market and Game Pass adoption.
Analysis of Black Myth Wukong's Improved Graphics via RTX Upgrade
Black Myth Wukong's preview showcased significant visual upgrades through RTX technology, offering features like caustics rendering and improved lighting. The game's enhanced performance with RTX upgrades demonstrated smoother frame rates and better graphics, setting a compelling foundation for its upcoming release.
Improvements for PlayStation Portal
The PlayStation portal could potentially be enhanced for a better streaming experience. The issues with image quality and latency could be addressed by boosting bandwidth. While storage limitations may hinder extensive downloadable content, the system could excel with titles like PSP and PS1 games due to their lower storage requirements.
FTSR and Gaming
Comparing FSR and TSR, the iterative nature of machine learning, as seen in XCSS, enables continuous improvement and better visual quality. AMD could benefit from adopting similar methods to enhance FSR's competitive position. TSR's success indicates room for FSR advancements and potential hardware-specific solutions like DirectSR for AMD hardware.
Improvements for Unreal Engine 5 and Witcher 4
With CD Projekt Red partnering with Epic for the new Witcher 4 in Unreal Engine 5, addressing issues like reversal stutter is a plausible goal. Collaborations may yield optimized solutions to existing challenges. Past advancements in Unreal Engine demonstrate potential for resolving performance hurdles.
Update for PlayStation Portal
While hardware and storage limitations may restrict extensive updates, potential improvements for the PlayStation portal could come through collaborations and software enhancements. Solving issues like latency and image quality could enhance user experience, necessitating strategic adjustments for optimal functionality.
In this week's Direct, Microsoft says you don't need an Xbox to play Xbox - but if they're talking about streaming on a Fire Stick 4K, we'd beg to differ. Meanwhile, Alex talks about a 1.4GHz CPU overclock for the OG Xbox and shares his thoughts on the new Black Myth: Wukong full RT assets and benchmarks. Oliver tests out Ace Combat 7 on Switch, while Rich checks out frame generation on the First Descendant - in 30fps fidelity mode, 40fps balanced mode and 60fps performance mode. How high does frame-rate get - and are the lower fps modes a write-off?
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:54 News 01: Microsoft says you don’t need an Xbox to play Xbox
0:24:31 News 02: Game Pass prices increased
0:38:36 News 03: New Black Myth: Wukong PC details revealed
0:53:26 News 04: Original Xbox gets 1.4 GHz CPU upgrade
1:01:34 News 05: The First Descendant frame gen tested!
1:13:21 News 06: Ace Combat 7 tested on Switch
1:19:41 Supporter Q1: Which Windows-based PC handheld would you recommend most?
1:25:36 Supporter Q2: Will you be doing more 3 person game playing videos?
1:29:44 Supporter Q3: What old unused Nintendo IP would you like to see again?
1:34:45 Supporter Q4: If Microsoft got Windows working seamlessly on ARM, what would that mean for their products?
1:43:27 Supporter Q5: Do you think Valve will give Steam Machines another shot?
1:49:21 Supporter Q6: Why is Intel’s XeSS so much better than AMD’s FSR?
1:59:01 Supporter Q7: Will Unreal Engine traversal stutter be fixed for the new Witcher game?
2:02:08 Supporter Q8: Could the PS Portal be updated or hacked to be a substantially more useful device?
2:06:25 Supporter Q9: John asks: how is the recording session going?