DF Direct Weekly #166: Summer Games Fest, PS5 '8K' Labelling, AutoSR Microsoft Upscaling!
Jun 10, 2024
auto_awesome
The podcast discusses Summer Games Fest showcases, removal of 8K label from PS5, PC adaptor for PSVR2, and Microsoft's AutoSR upscaling tech. They also touch on optimizing Windows text rendering, frame-rate & VRR, and recommendations for PS VR2 vs. Meta Quest. Nostalgic reflections on iconic games like Half-Life 2 and Gears of War are shared, along with challenges of playing on outdated hardware.
02:19:10
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
New LEGO game showcases unique environment design with detailed shadow treatments.
Metaphor Re-Fantazio features intricate menu designs reminiscent of Persona series artwork.
Kingdom Come Deliverance sequel impresses with detailed character models and RPG systems.
Power Rangers Rewind offers engaging pixel art design and diverse gameplay mechanics.
Black Myth: Wukong promises unique gameplay mechanics and optimized versions for multiple platforms.
Deep dives
LEGO Horizon Adventures
A brand new LEGO game has been revealed, different from the traditional Traveler's Tales formula. This game features a unique LEGO environment design with the entire world made up of LEGO bricks. Developed by a Brighton-based studio, it likely runs on Unreal Engine 5 with detailed shadow treatments. It offers a mix of PBR materials and screen space reflections, presenting an impressive graphical quality.
Metaphor Re-Fantasio
Metaphor Re-Fantasio is a new IP from Atlas, featuring staff with Persona game backgrounds. The game showcases intricate menu designs integrated into gameplay, reminiscent of the Persona series. From a technical standpoint, the game exhibits textures and artwork akin to Persona titles. The post-processing includes depth of field and limited anti-aliasing, with emphasis on big lighting in interiors.
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
The sequel to Kingdom Come Deliverance, running on CryEngine, is visually impressive with detailed character models and environments. The game promises a fusion of unique RPG systems and engaging gameplay. With adaptations made to suit console performance, the game targets 60 FPS, showcasing reflections and lighting effects characteristic of CryEngine.
Power Rangers Rewind & Bean Game
Power Rangers Rewind offers a compelling mix of pixel art design and diverse gameplay mechanics, resembling classic brawler titles. The visuals and animations stand out, though the quirky bean game features an unconventional concept with potential for engaging action sequences. The harmonious mix of humor and action elements creates an intriguing gameplay experience.
Black Myth: WukOng
Black Myth: Wukong announces a release on PC and PS5, with plans for an optimized Xbox version. The detailed trailer reveals unique gameplay mechanics, although technical challenges delay the Xbox version to ensure quality standards. The team aims to minimize the wait for Xbox users, focusing on refining the game for optimal performance.
Automatic Resolution Upscaling Technology with LT for Qualcomm Co-Pilot Plus PCs
Microsoft's AutoSR, integrated with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in Qualcomm Co-Pilot Plus PCs, automatically scales game resolutions from lower internal resolutions, enhancing image quality with convolutional neural networks. While the still frame results look promising, concerns include temporal consistency in motion and potential processing latency.
AI Upscaling and Future Applications on Gaming Devices
The utilization of AI technology in upscaling resolutions poses a compelling option for enhancing visuals, potentially benefiting older games or low-power devices. The AutoSR feature, initially enabled for specific games, offers a glimpse into a system-level enhancement that could be extended to various other applications, sparking interest in further exploration.
Possibility of AI Upscaling Integration in Xbox Series X
With Microsoft's successful implementation of AI upscaling on Qualcomm Co-Pilot Plus PCs, speculation arises regarding its potential integration on gaming devices like the Xbox Series X. Despite performance differences, the concept of leveraging machine learning for enhancing older game resolutions on gaming consoles, by incurring latency for processing, opens intriguing possibilities for future advancements.
Impacts of Consoles on RT Adaptation in Gaming
Consoles with RT acceleration positively influence RT adaptation in games by showcasing the technology and encouraging its implementation. Despite limitations in power, consoles like the PS5 have demonstrated the potential of RT features such as reflections. However, the current hardware constraints on consoles may hinder leveraging these effects at higher resolutions, necessitating further advancements in the next generation of consoles. UE5 titles are currently utilizing RT for reflections and global illumination, serving as a middle ground before broader RT integration.
Adapting PC Games to Better Hardware
Playing games on suboptimal hardware can impact the gaming experience, as seen in examples like Bioshock and Far Cry 1 where visual details and effects were compromised. Retro PC gaming experiences like Halo and World of Warcraft on lower-end systems demonstrate the significant difference in graphical fidelity and performance when played on better hardware. Despite initial limitations, experiencing games on improved hardware provides a deeper appreciation for the visual and technical intricacies of gaming experiences.
The summer game showcase events are now in full swing and in this new episode of DF Direct Weekly, it's John, Oliver and Alex at mics, discussing the games of Summer Games 'Fest', along with other big new stories of the week. What's going on with the removal of the 8K label from the PS5 box? What do the team make of the PC adaptor for PSVR2 - and what's the score with Microsoft's AutoSR upscaling?
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:20 News 01: Summer Game Fest: Lego Horizon Adventures
