Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

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... 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/3jEGjvx Go here to check out DF merch! https://store.digitalfoundry.net Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribe 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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

The hosts dive into the highlights of the Summer Game Fest and Sony's State of Play, sharing excitement about major game announcements like Resident Evil Requiem and thrilling trailers. They celebrate the fix for PS5's VRR stuttering issue and ponder the unexpected Xbox release of Black Myth: Wukong. The trio has a lighthearted discussion on game reveals, the rise of 'sad dad' characters, and the advancements in VR gameplay. Meanwhile, they reflect on the evolving nature of game development challenges and the implications for upcoming titles and console innovations.

Anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2 as intriguing retail leaks reveal insights into its boot procedure and user interface. Meanwhile, Microsoft shifts focus from a dedicated Xbox handheld to improving Windows 11 for gaming. The podcast dives into F1 25's impressive path tracing upgrade, enhancing the game's visual appeal. Exciting discussions also cover GeForce Now's new app for Steam Deck, pushing the boundaries of game streaming performance. Fun banter and community insights round off this engaging exploration of the gaming landscape.

In a deep dive into new gaming tech, the hosts analyze 37 minutes of Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay on the Switch 2, comparing it to older consoles. AMD's RX 9060 XT is revealed, promising impressive performance against NVIDIA's range. They also discuss the exciting FSR Redstone project and share insights on the PC performance of 'Doom: The Dark Ages.' With hints at potential issues surrounding the next Mario Kart and revelations about Hellblade 2's capabilities on PS5, the episode is a treasure trove for gaming enthusiasts!

Rumors swirl around the absence of early reviews for the Switch 2, raising questions about its launch strategy. The discussion shifts to next-gen Xbox possibly transitioning to ARM processors, sparking debates about backward compatibility and performance. Ray tracing misconceptions are tackled, highlighting advancements in graphics technology. Excitement builds around Assassin's Creed's revelations on ray tracing, while John's take on the new Backbone Pro controller showcases innovations in mobile gaming.

The podcast reveals insights into the Nintendo Switch 2's innovative 8nm processor alongside intriguing design surprises. A debate flares up over Rockstar's claim of 'half gameplay' in the GTA 6 trailer, prompting discussions on transparency in gaming. The team compares the graphics performance of Final Fantasy 7 Remake on Switch 2 against the PS5. Meanwhile, Nvidia faces criticism for launching the RTX 5060 without reviews, raising questions about consumer trust in new tech. Expect humor and reflections on listener engagement throughout!

Microsoft's drastic price hikes for Xbox consoles steal the spotlight this week. Exciting details emerge about the path tracing capabilities in Doom: The Dark Ages. Meanwhile, the 60FPS update for Far Cry 4 is making waves on the PS5. Alex tests various mods for Oblivion to combat stutter issues, with mixed results. Plus, Nintendo faces backlash over stripped game sharing features. Speculation swirls around upcoming RTX 5070 and 5080 Super graphics cards as well, raising questions about VRAM enhancements and their impact on gaming.