Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

The exciting reveal of Battlefield 6 has gamers buzzing with nostalgia, showcasing impressive multiplayer gameplay and a return to classic mechanics. The hosts dive into leaked details about the next-gen Xbox's innovative dual-chip APU design, which could redefine gaming performance. Meanwhile, reactions to the latest Nintendo Direct highlight concerns over visual quality and third-party support for the Switch 2. Plus, the discussion touches on groundbreaking handheld gaming technology featuring AMD’s powerful Strix Halo chip, promising a thrilling future for mobile gaming.

Sony's new PS5 power-saving mode sparks speculation about the next-gen handheld device. Cyberpunk 2077 gets clarity on its Xbox VRR issues. Excitement builds around the Fallout Bakersfield trailer showcasing retro visuals. Meanwhile, Oblivion's remaster shows minimal improvements, much to fans' dismay. As Crytek celebrates 25 years in gaming, topics also touch on the curious world of 8K ray-tracing. Lastly, the evolution of gaming performance and console design shifts takes center stage.

Explore the thrilling advancements in gaming technology! Discover the VRR testing for Cyberpunk 2077 and how it impacts console performance. Uncover the newly added ray tracing features in Space Marine 2 and the intriguing issues with RDNA 4 graphics. Delve into the unique Nintendo SNES Doom cartridge, enhanced with SuperFX technology, and hear insights on Donkey Kong Bonanza's development challenges. Plus, enjoy a light-hearted debate on pizza preferences amidst discussions of GPU troubles and future gaming possibilities!

This week, the discussion centers on the disappointing performance of Oblivion Remastered's latest patch and its ongoing stuttering issues. Insights are shared on the Switch 2's GPU, which may rival the Series S, while exploring newly published ray tracing patents by Nintendo. The hosts review the Wild Hearts demo on the Switch 2, analyzing its performance against other consoles. Additionally, there are intriguing queries about future gaming technologies, including the potential for Red Dead Redemption 2 to receive ray tracing updates.

This week, the team grapples with the fallout from massive job cuts at Xbox, examining the emotional impact on employees and the future of the brand. Meanwhile, AMD and Sony tease exciting developments for the PlayStation 6. The conversation also touches on the end of driver support for older GPUs, revealing the challenges gamers face. Finally, they discuss the surprising arrival of Helldivers 2 on Xbox Series consoles, which stirs up excitement and speculation in the gaming community.

Dive into the Switch 2 controversy as the team discusses its motion blur display issues backed by independent benchmarks. Get the scoop on Hellblade 2’s thrilling 60fps upgrade and the implications of Nvidia's RTX 5050 reveal. Explore the exciting new features brought by Fast Fusion's 'DLSS Off' update. Finally, unwrap the details of HDMI 2.2 specs and the ongoing OLED vs. LCD debate, complete with solid evidence to support their claims!

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!

Dive into a detailed analysis of the Nintendo Switch 2, where hardware strengths meet significant flaws. Discover insights on its portable display, including contrast and motion blur issues. The team critiques HDR performance and Variable Refresh Rate in gaming. Learn about loading times across different storage options and impressive Wi-Fi and ethernet enhancements. While the console shows promise with backward compatibility, challenges with game performance and a clunky user interface raise concerns. Get excited about future games and what they could bring!

This week, the troubled launch of MindsEye takes center stage, revealing both its striking visuals and performance issues. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 astounds with 3.5 million units sold in just four days! Speculations about a next-gen PlayStation handheld emerge, promising exciting features. Stellar Blade's performance on PC is noteworthy, while retro gaming discussions spark nostalgia, highlighting the surprisingly smooth 60 FPS of Mortal Kombat 2 on 3DO. Dive into a mix of challenges and advancements in the evolving gaming landscape!

The summer gaming events continue with the arrival of the Xbox Showcase. Microsoft has had a stellar 2025 and has delivered some exceptional events over the last few years - but this one doesn't quite make the grade. Rich, John and Oliver talk Ally handhelds, the pick of the games shown, the 2026 teases and we have capture and analysis of the "shadow dropped" port of Final Fantasy 16. The summer gaming events continue with the arrival of the Xbox Showcase. Microsoft has had a stellar 2025 and has delivered some exceptional events over the last few years - but this one doesn't quite make the grade. Rich, John and Oliver talk Ally handhelds, the pick of the games shown, the 2026 teases and we have capture and analysis of the "shadow dropped" port of Final Fantasy 16. Join the DF Supporter Program for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to new videos, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: https://bit.ly/3jEGjvxGo here to check out DF merch! https://store.digitalfoundry.netSubscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribe0:00:00 Introduction 0:00:43 Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X 0:15:51 Xbox full-screen experience on Windows 11 0:30:19 Final Fantasy 16 shadowdropped on Xbox - and we’ve tested it! 0:39:35 Ninja Gaiden 4 0:44:40 Persona 4 Revival 0:52:12 Beast of Reincarnation 0:56:46 Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 1:04:13 2026 teases: Fable, Forza, Gears of War - and Halo? 1:09:02 Thoughts on the showcase Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices