Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

By Digital Foundry & Geek Media

When it comes to video games and the hardware and tech we play them on, the team at Digital Foundry are unparalleled experts. Each week, DF Direct breaks down the latest breakthroughs in video game vi... more

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FAQs about Digital Foundry Direct Weekly:

How many episodes does Digital Foundry Direct Weekly have?

The podcast currently has 262 episodes available.

Digital Foundry Direct Weekly episodes:

September 01, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #229: Xbox Ally X Hands-On, Sweeney Defends UE5, id Software Doom TDA Deep Dive!
In the latest DF Direct, Rich and Alex share their hands-on experiences of the Xbox/Asus ROG Ally X and non-X, while the team react to Epic's Tim Sweeney seemingly laying the blame on developers for sub-optimal Unreal Engine 5 games. Alex discusses a couple of his favourite SIGGRAPH graphics presentations. Finally, John's massively enthused by Shader Glass and is here to tell you why.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:55 News 1: Hands-on with the ROG Xbox Ally + Ally X
0:36:26 News 2 Tim Sweeney: devs to blame for poor UE5 performance
0:49:17 News 3: Alex’s SIGGRAPH selections
1:10:30 News 4: ShaderGlass enables CRT-inspired retro shaders
1:21:47 Supporter Q1: How much of #StutterStruggle is Microsoft’s fault?
1:26:37 Supporter Q2: With AMD purportedly targeting high-end GPUs next gen, will enthusiast GPUs become more competitive?
1:34:02 Supporter Q3: Should Arkham Knight be remastered for current-gen hardware?
1:39:37 Supporter Q4: Is frame-rate testing on fixed refresh displays still relevant?
1:45:32 Supporter Q5: What new video ideas should we introduce?

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1h 54min
August 25, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #228: Elden Ring/FF7R Switch 2! #StutterStruggle Fixed? Valve Console Specs!
With Rich unable to escape infection at #gamescom2025, it's down to John and Alex to share their impressions from the show, with Oliver completing the panel. The team share their thoughts on the Switch 2 ports of Elden Ring and Final Fantasy 7 Remake in the wake of very negative and very positive reactions from the showfloor. Alex is optimistic about Microsoft's proposed fix for StutterStruggle, while intriguing specs emerge of what may well be a Valve home console. Beyond that, there's more Gamescom reaction, plus thoughts on Kirby Air Riders.

0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:13 News 1: Elden Ring and FF7 Rebirth showcased on Switch 2!
0:11:11 News 2: Microsoft preps shader comp fix for Windows
0:27:21 News 3: Valve “Fremont” console-like device leaks
0:36:49 News 4: Upcoming Capcom titles tested on PS5 Pro
0:49:26 News 5: Gamescom Opening Night Live impressions
1:00:02 News 6: Kirby Air Riders Direct reaction!
1:05:02 News 7: Gamescom hands-on impressions
1:20:30 Supporter Q1: What needs to happen to improve UE5 performance?
1:28:49 Supporter Q2: Should reviewers more heavily critique technical issues in games?
1:32:21 Supporter Q3: Should Microsoft have created a more console-focused Xbox handheld?
1:36:28 Supporter Q4: What are some great games to show off surround sound?
1:42:10 Supporter Q5: Bubsy 4D = GOTY?

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1h 52min
August 19, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #227: Battlefield 6 PC is Superb, Drag x Drive Switch 2, RTX 4090 Handheld!
In the calm before the storm of Gamescom 2025, gaming and technology news is thin on the ground - and there's some degree of disappointment beyond the brilliance of the Battlefield 6 open beta. Drag x Drive on Switch 2 underwhelms, AMD releases an RX 9060 that you can't buy - and isn't really that much different to the 9060 XT. Light relief comes in the form of a monstrous modded RTX 4090 "handheld", while OneXPlayer's 120W Strix Halo tablet does - admittedly - look quite intriguing. Meanwhile, what would it take to get Tekken 8 running on Switch 2?
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:50 News 1: Battlefield 6 tested on PC!
0:19:25 News 2: Drag x Drive launches on Switch 2
0:30:35 News 3: Tekken 8 director mulls Switch 2 release
0:38:56 News 4: RX 9060 non-XT benched
0:45:20 News 5: AMD discontinues 5700X3D, ending widespread X3D availability on AM4
0:54:57 News 6: New tablet integrates 120W Strix Halo
1:03:42 News 7: Modder crams RTX 4090 laptop GPU into PC handheld
1:11:37 Supporter Q1: How will next-gen Xbox systems pull PC gamers away from Nvidia?
1:18:45 Supporter Q2: If AI profits grow, could Nvidia stop producing gaming GPUs?
1:27:15 Supporter Q3: How will the Z1 Extreme be supported in the future?
1:33:47 Supporter Q4: What will a Steam Deck 2 look like?
1:38:52 Supporter Q5: What Switch 2 ports do you want to see?
1:47:58 Supporter Q6: Is a Series X or One X a better choice for Xbox 360 and Xbox One games?

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1h 59min
August 11, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #226: Are PS6 Spec Leaks Accurate? Is Sony Going Multi-Plat? Apex Legends Switch 2!
Many, many thanks for an amazingly positive reaction to our news that we've parted ways with IGN in favour of full independence! Rich spends some time talking about the reaction and answering Supporter questions on the changes, with actual gaming and technology news discussing nascent PS6 spec leaks, Apex Legends tested on Switch 2 and misconceptions on Sony's multi-platform plans. Meanwhile, Alex clues us in on AMD's Dense Geometry Format and excitement mounts on the news that Ashes of the Singularity is getting a sequel.

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1h 54min
August 08, 2025 DF Direct Special: Digital Foundry Leaves IGN, Now Fully Independent - So What Happens Next?
Amazing news! Digital Foundry has parted ways with IGN and we've bought their shareholding in the business. What this means is that from now on, all aspects of DF are decided upon by DF. We answer to nobody but you, the audience. We are fully independent, we’re proud of that, we think it’s the future of games media - but how far we push, how ambitious we want to be... well, that's where YOU come in. Rich, John and Alex discuss the news in this brand new episode of DF Direct.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:01 Digital Foundry’s change in ownership and what we want to do differently
00:07:54 Why is independence important and what does it mean?
00:13:21 We want to make a new Digital Foundry website
00:16:28 What's happening now behind the scenes?
00:18:10 Let's talk Retro
00:22:10 How we can make a difference in PC gaming
00:27:14 Concluding thoughts

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35min
August 04, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #225: Battlefield 6 Reveal, Next-Gen Xbox Silicon Leaked? Nintendo Direct Reaction!
A new, gigantic Direct sees John, Rich and Oliver mull over what might be next generation Xbox silicon, bringing together consumer CPU and GPU parts into custom APUs that could genuinely shake up the PC market. The team react to the excellent-looking Battlefield 6 reveal, while there's a mixed reception to the latest Nintendo Direct. Meanwhile, John raves about a brand new Genesis/Mega Drive game from an industry legend while Oliver and Rich are staggered at the concept of AMD's huge Strix Halo APU slated to appear in not one but two gaming handhelds.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:54 News 1: AMD “Magnus” APU reportedly leaks
0:22:12 News 2: Battlefield 6 multiplayer footage impresses
0:35:54 News 3: Nintendo Direct: Star Wars Outlaws
0:42:29 The Adventures of Elliot, Octopath Traveller 0
0:46:26 Persona 3 Reload
0:51:51 Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
0:55:30 Final thoughts on the Direct and the Switch 2 rollout
1:06:29 News 4: Upcoming gaming handhelds feature AMD’s Strix Halo
1:20:08 News 5: Earthion blasts away on Sega Genesis
1:30:08 Supporter Q1: Will Switch 2 get clock bumps over time?
1:35:57 Supporter Q2: Is the PS5 power saving mode intended to be used as the default for less-demanding games?
1:40:00 Supporter Q3: Why do people downplay the need for graphical improvements?
1:45:39 Supporter Q4: Could FSR 3 Frame Generation be used on Switch 2 to reach 120fps?
1:48:51 Supporter Q5: Did prior rendering advances provoke gamer backlash like ray tracing has?
2:00:28 Supporter Q6: Does John have any cable draping tips for Switch 2?

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2h 8min
July 28, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #224: PS5 Low Power Mode=PS6 Handheld? Fallout Bakersfield, Crytek 25th Anniversary
The previously leaked PlayStation 5 Power Saving mode enters beta firmware, stoking rumours that it lays the groundwork for Sony's next generation portable. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077's VRR "no show" on Xbox Series X gets official comment from CD Projekt RED and the team are enthused by an amazing "Fallout Bakersfield" teaser trailer. Oblivion Remastered 1.2 on consoles is tested, and as expected, shows virtually no improvement. Moving on, the team are fascinated by 8K ray-traced balls and celebrations begin for Crytek's 25th anniversary.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:51 News 1: Sony introduces power saving mode for PS5
0:18:30 News 2: Cyberpunk Xbox VRR is "working" as intended
0:24:12 News 3: Oblivion Remastered 1.2 update has little effect on console performance
0:41:21 News 4: Pure Pool Pro delivers native 8K balls on PS5 Pro
0:48:07 News 5: Fallout: Bakersfield trailer shows off GZDoom visuals
0:57:54 News 6: Crytek releases 25 year anniversary video
1:14:27 Supporter Q1: Are there any meaningful differences with windowed, windowed borderless, and fullscreen modes in Windows?
1:20:36 Supporter Q2: Will GTA 6 have a 60fps mode only on PS5 Pro?
1:28:08 Supporter Q3: Why is Microsoft getting rid of video purchases on Xbox?
1:33:24 Supporter Q4: What will the Switch 2 die shrink look like?
1:36:19 Supporter Q5: Is Nintendo institutionally opposed to TAA/DLSS?
1:42:27 Supporter Q6: Does the convergence of console design and decline of exclusives spell the end of the console war?
1:51:36 Supporter Q7: Have you been getting any unsolicited dock pics?

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1h 56min
July 21, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #223: Cyberpunk 2077 VRR Tested, Space Marine RT Upgraded, New SNES Doom Wows
The latest DF Direct Weekly sees Rich get to grips with Cyberpunk 2077's console VRR - putting our work-in-progress VRR capture tools to the test. Meanwhile, Alex checks out the ray traced ambient occlusion that's been added to Space Marine 2 and investigates odd reports of broken UE4 ray tracing on RDNA 4 graphics cards. John shares more on Donkey Kong Bananza and tells us all about Limited Run Games' amazing new Doom SNES cartridge with upgraded SuperFX technology, courtesy of development legend, Randy Linden.

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1h 53min
July 14, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #222: Oblivion Remaster Fixed? Switch 2 Perf vs PS4/Series S! Nintendo "RT" Patents
This week, Oblivion Remastered's 1.2 patch "dropped" promising performance improvements - but are its systemic stuttering problems fixed? Alex takes a look at the PC version, both moving to an analysis of Nintendo's recently published "ray tracing" patents - which aren't quite what they seem. Meanwhile, Oliver gets to grips with the Wild Hearts demo on Switch 2 - and speaking of the Nintendo hybrid, comments from a Virtuos studio put Switch 2 system performance into context against Series S and PlayStation 4 - but how do those comments match up against our platform comparisons thus far?

0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:05 News 1: Does the latest Oblivion Remastered patch improve performance?
0:14:44 News 2: Virtuos: Switch 2 GPU is close to Series S
0:35:41 News 3: Nintendo publishes new rendering patents
0:49:38 News 4: Wild Hearts demo tested on Switch 2!
0:58:21 Supporter Q1: Will Red Dead Redemption 2 get a ray tracing update?
1:04:51 Supporter Q2: Where’s all the Mac gaming hype?
1:13:26 Supporter Q3: What is the current state of DirectStorage?
1:20:04 Supporter Q4: Is Linux becoming a viable gaming OS?
1:27:51 Supporter Q5: Will next-gen consoles come with lots of RAM?
1:33:49 Supporter Q6: How does Alex configure his PC games?

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1h 45min
July 07, 2025 DF Direct Weekly #221: Disastrous Xbox Cuts, AMD/Sony PS6 Hints, Helldivers 2 Coming To Xbox
This week, the DF team is reeling after news of disastrous Xbox cuts resulting in untold job losses, the diminishment of celebrated studios and the cancellation of promising games - this follows on from controversy surrounding Xbox hardware strategy and speculation on future consoles. Meanwhile, AMD and Sony re-affirm the Project Amethyst initative while Mark Cerny drops hints on the timeframe for PlayStation 6. Beyond that, driver support for Maxwell, Pascal and Volta GPUs comes to an end while leaks start to emerge on the Nvidia Blackwell refresh. Finally, what does the team make of Helldivers 2 heading to Xbox Series consoles?

0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:00 News 1: Huge Microsoft Gaming cuts
0:30:07 News 2: Is Xbox hardware “dead”?
0:47:56 News 3: AMD, Mark Cerny hint future PlayStation plans
0:54:05 News 4: Donkey Kong Bananza developed by Super Mario Odyssey studio
1:00:52 News 5: Nvidia dropping gaming driver support for Maxwell, Volta, Pascal
1:08:38 News 6: 5070 Super, 5070 Ti Super, 5080 Super reportedly leaked
1:18:18 News 7: Helldivers 2 is coming to Xbox Series
1:24:04 Supporter Q1: Are people unfair to multi frame gen?
1:37:09 Supporter Q2: Could the Switch 2’s authentication chip be an issue for VRR?
1:41:22 Supporter Q3: Why haven’t more Switch 2 games used 40fps modes?
1:44:57 Supporter Q4: Could Nvidia launch a competitive game console?
1:50:39 Supporter Q5: Does John own the 1997 PS1 game Ray Tracers?

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1h 57min

FAQs about Digital Foundry Direct Weekly:

How many episodes does Digital Foundry Direct Weekly have?

The podcast currently has 262 episodes available.

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