Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

The discussion kicks off with the controversy surrounding Microsoft's significant Game Pass price hikes. Is it a move to sustain the service, or a blatant cash grab? The team also digs into a new PS5 teardown, revealing intriguing design tweaks and storage downsizing. Meanwhile, Rich highlights native Steam Deck ports, showcasing improvements in Baldur's Gate 3, while Cronos experiences some unexpected performance issues. Lastly, John's journey from Japan uncovers the excitement of the Tokyo Game Show and its indie highlights.

Dive into the latest gaming buzz as the hosts evaluate the Wolverine gameplay trailer and discuss Insomniac's impressive visuals. They lament the lack of real gameplay in the Forza Horizon 6 reveal while dissecting the challenges of urban environments. A look at Flight Simulator 2024, its adaptation for PS5, and the Xbox ROG Ally X pricing raises questions about its market position. The performance of Silent Hill F across platforms is analyzed, and the unexpected delay of Borderlands 4 on Switch 2 sparks a debate on technical struggles.

Dive into the impressive performance of Dying Light: The Beast on PC and PS5 despite review code challenges. Discover the surprising Intel/Nvidia partnership and how it could reshape the industry. Listen as the team tests a leaked FSR4 INT8 version, revealing intriguing benchmarks across popular games. The controversy surrounding Gearbox's response to Borderlands 4 performance critiques adds drama, while a sneak peek at the pricing for the powerful GPD Win 5 hints at the future of handheld gaming.

Oliver McKenzie from Digital Foundry joins the discussion as the team dives into the performance issues plaguing Borderlands 4 on PC. They share highlights from Nintendo's latest Direct, celebrating Super Mario's 40th anniversary with exciting new titles. The conversation shifts to the impressive capabilities of GeForce Now's 5080 tier, alongside Microsoft's cloud gaming advancements. Cautious optimism surrounds the rumored PS6 with a detachable Blu-ray drive, sparking debate on future gaming innovations and console designs.

The podcast dives into the exciting potential of the Switch 2's ray tracing capabilities showcased by Star Wars Outlaws. However, concerns arise over the performance limitations of its game cartridges compared to internal storage. Meanwhile, news about a storage downgrade for the PlayStation 5 raises eyebrows. The hosts also showcase the thrilling gameplay of 007 First Light and discuss the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong, sparking enthusiasm among gamers.

Get ready for a hands-on dive into the Xbox Ally and Ally X, with insights on their ergonomic design and quirks. The hosts dissect Tim Sweeney's controversial comments on UE5 performance issues, revealing a deeper look at developer challenges. Exciting graphics breakthroughs from SIGGRAPH are discussed, along with the innovative Shader Glass that revives nostalgic CRT visuals. Plus, they explore the competitive landscape of AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, and brainstorm fun ideas for future content!

The hosts dive into reactions from Gamescom, discussing the Switch 2 ports of Elden Ring and Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which garnered polarized responses. They express optimism about a new Microsoft fix for stuttering issues in games. Speculations swirl around a new Valve console and its intriguing specs. The panel critiques the technical challenges in console development while exploring gameplay highlights from titles like Kirby Air Riders. Excitement builds for upcoming releases and the evolving landscape of gaming technology.

Excitement brews as Battlefield 6 impresses in an open beta, showcasing stunning PC performance. Meanwhile, Drag x Drive on the Switch 2 disappoints, while AMD's RX 9060 lacks significant upgrades. A jaw-dropping modded RTX 4090 handheld takes center stage, alongside the intriguing OneXPlayer tablet. Discussions arise about the technical hurdles of bringing Tekken 8 to the Switch 2, and the podcast tackles the discontinuation of Ryzen 7 5700X3D, hinting at a shift in the CPU landscape.

Exciting spec leaks hint at PlayStation 6's advanced tech, sparking discussions about its performance and potential features. A deep dive into Apex Legends on the upcoming Switch 2 showcases impressive graphical upgrades. The evolving relationship between Sony and Microsoft suggests a future where multi-platform support reigns over traditional competition. Meanwhile, the sequel to Ashes of the Singularity promises to reshape real-time strategy gaming. The hosts also share their journey to independence, celebrating audience support and exploring new creative ventures.

Digital Foundry has officially parted ways with IGN, marking a new era of independence and creative freedom. The team shares their vision to expand themes in gaming content, particularly focusing on retro and PC gaming. They discuss plans for a dedicated website, emphasizing authenticity and community engagement. The excitement of managing their own operations and the potential for innovation in gaming media takes center stage. Tune in for insights on their journey and how listeners play a role in shaping the future.