Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

Stellar Blade on Switch 2 enforces the use of frame generation to target 60fps - and Capcom is offering the same feature with a toggle in the upcoming Dragon's Dogma 2 port. So how does it work and what have we learned from testing it in Stellar Blade? Beyond that, Tom, Rich and Oliver discuss whether next-gen hardware should be delayed, why Nintendo is avoiding DLSS in its own Switch 2 titles and whether Valve should release an ARM-based handheld. And finally, what's the point of chromatic aberration?00:00 Introduction 00:44 Supporter Q1: Is frame gen a good fit for Switch 2 games like Stellar Blade? 17:18 Supporter Q2: Could a next-gen hardware delay be a good thing? 25:03 Supporter Q3: Does Digital Foundry need to produce a “frame health” reference? 32:28 Supporter Q4: Is Nintendo avoiding DLSS so they can switch to AMD for Switch 3? 37:44 Supporter Q5: Should the next gen Steam Deck be ARM-based? 43:15 Supporter Q6: What’s the point of chromatic aberration?

In a bit of a slow week for news, the team goes hands-on with a bunch of cool games to present their findings - principal amongst them being 007 First Light's visually stunning, but incredibly taxing path tracing upgrade. Redemption Road's 12-minute Kingmakers gameplay deep dive impresses the panel before Tom delivers his thoughts on Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave on Switch 2, with Oliver testing Diablo 4 also on the Nintendo hybrid. Meanwhile, reliable leaker Kepler_L2 says that we're only looking at one new GPU launch in 2027 - and it looks like the desktop version of the same GPU slated to appear in Microsoft's Project Helix...Looking for an ad-free Direct? Join the DF Supporter Program for a private RSS feed, ad-free video downloads, news updates from the team and more: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry00:00 Introduction 01:17 News 1: 007 First Light gets PC path tracing patch 18:28 News 2: Kingmakers resurfaces in extended trailer26:44 News 3: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave impressions! 39:34 News 4: Diablo 4 tested on Switch 247:49 News 5: Rumour: new Nvidia, AMD GPUs won’t be released until 2028

With Steam Frame just missing the embargo for the last DF Direct, John, Rich and Oliver share impressions of Valve's latest hardware plus there's some ARM standalone testing of Half-Life Alyx, Cyberpunk 2077 and Streets of Rage 4. Beyond that, it's Supporter Q+A time: why doesn't From Software fix 30fps frame-pacing issues? If DLSS 5 isn't really DLSS, how should DLSS evolve? Finally... with the legendary Kallax having been modded into Skyrim by Ikea, what other Scandinavian furniture should be added to the game?!Want an ad-free DF Direct experience? Get a private RSS feed and high quality video downloads with the DF Supporter Program! https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry00:00 Introduction 01:07 Hands-On With Steam Frame, Half-Life Alyx Standalone + More 27:06 Supporter Q1: Is a language barrier to blame for Elden Ring frame-pacing issues? 35:15 Supporter Q2: What new tech should Nvidia explore in a new DLSS? 44:52 Supporter Q3: What Ikea furniture should be included in Elder Scrolls 6?

A massive week for news. PlayStation ends decades of partnership with Hideo Kojima as Physint is cancelled by Sony - but picked up by Microsoft, meaning it's coming to Xbox. The team take a look at the surprise-but-a-welcome-one reveal of VRR coming to Switch 2 docked mode, while there's commentary and analysis on the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and a brand new Nintendo Direct. John and Oliver compare notes on Marvel's Wolverine, Rich takes us back to the PS4 Pro reveal on its tenth anniversary while John tells us about the co-op fun he's been having with Big Walk.The DF Supporter Program gives you early access to DF Direct, an ad-free private RSS feed, high quality video downloads and more: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry0:00:00 Introduction 0:01:28 News 1: Kojima’s Physint dropped by Sony, picked up by Microsoft0:24:57 News 2: VRR finally available in Switch 2 docked mode 0:34:17 News 3: Ocarina of Time remake shown at Nintendo Direct 0:46:15 News 4: Nintendo Direct highlights: Kirby, Metroid, Monster Hunter, Resident Evil, Stellar Blade, Persona 1:02:00 Content discussion: have reviewers been too harsh on Wolverine?1:13:45 Retrospective: PS4 Pro announcement 1:26:32 John recommends Big Walk!

The DF Direct Q+A Show returns and suffice it to say, there's a huge amount of interest around DLSS 5. Will AMD and indeed Intel deliver equivalent tech? What are the limits of DLSS 5 and how will they be overcome? Meanwhile, is Pearl Abyss developer of the year? And is The Witcher 3 Remastered evidence that CD Projekt RED will return to the RED Engine?For an ad-free experience check out the Digital Foundry Supporter Program for ad-free high quality video downloads and a private RSS feed: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry00:00 Introduction 01:02 Supporter Q1: Should AMD create their own DLSS 5 equivalent? And what basic limits does the DLSS 5 architecture have? 19:32 Supporter Q2: How do Pearl Abyss develop Crimson Desert at such a breakneck pace? 23:57 Supporter Q3: Why does Onimusha: Way of the Sword skip some of RE Engine’s more advanced features? 28:16 Supporter Q4: Could CD Projekt Red be planning to use REDengine in the future? 32:27 Supporter Q5: Could Sony license PlayStation to third parties? 39:14 Supporter Q6: Why didn’t my Digital Foundry pint glass arrive with anything in it?

The Digital Foundry panel convene to talk about Sony's disappointing State of Play, John shares his thoughts on the Grand Theft Auto 6 Extended Look and there are more hints about Xbox's next-gen strategy as Asha Sharma discusses a family of devices - amongst other things - in an interview with the BBC. For an ad-free DF Direct Weekly with a private RSS feed and high quality video downloads, support us here: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry0:00:00 Introduction0:01:43 News 1: Sony releases disappointing State of Play0:25:49 Supporter Q1: What does John think of the GTA 6 Extended Look?0:41:59 Supporter Q2: Is Microsoft pivoting to a more mainstream “family” of next-gen Xboxes?0:57:18 Supporter Q3: Will Microsoft regret their disc-to-digital program?1:04:49 Supporter Q4: Will the PSP 3 actually be able to play PS5 games?1:09:43 Supporter Q5: Should Nintendo implement a global frame-rate cap option for Switch 2?

Six months after its reveal, DLSS 5 has launched with NBA 2K27 and its utilisation is a world apart from the first clips, not to mention the vast array of modded footage we've seen since its leak last week. Rich, John and Oliver compare notes on the difference it makes, the huge performance cost, what is achievable with mods and more.Join the DF Supporter Program for ad free video downloads and a private ad free RSS feed. https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry0:00:00 Introduction0:02:27 What is DLSS 5?0:15:36 DLSS 5 visuals in NBA 2K270:25:07 DLSS 5 performance in NBA 2K270:42:17 Mods: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth0:50:03 Mods: Forza Horizon 6, Monster Hunter Rise, Starfield1:00:14 Concluding thoughts

While Grand Theft Auto 6's gameplay reveal somewhat overshadowed proceedings, it was indeed Gamescom 2026 this week and with Rich's legs giving out, it was down to John to represent us at the show. So, after dispensing with some gaming and technology news, John delivers his own "best of" tour of Gamescom, discussing the titles he loved.Looking to enjoy DF Direct Weekly ad-free? Gain access to a private RSS feed and video downloads on our Patreon: https://patreon.com/digitalfoundry0:00:00 Introduction0:02:01 News 1: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered revealed0:12:52 News 2: Xbox disc to digital program officially announced0:23:18 Gamescom demos: Fable0:30:46 Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve0:38:01 Capcom: Mega Man: Dual Override, Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen0:46:51 Sega: Alien Isolation 2, Stranger than Heaven0:54:48 Konami: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Silent Hill: Townfall1:10:20 State of Decay 3

26 minutes of actual GTA 6 gameplay "dropped" - and on balance, it's one of the most extraordinary visual accomplishments ever seen in real-time game graphics. It's not perfect - nothing can be - but in this DF Direct Special, Oliver and Rich share their thoughts and reactions to the presentation. 0:00:00 Introduction0:01:24 Overall impressions0:10:09 Performance: 30 FPS only0:25:22 Lighting: shadowmaps, RT reflections, RTGI0:37:31 Simulation and the open world0:45:49 Image quality0:50:57 Supporter Q1: How will next-gen consoles and PCs improve on the PS5 visuals?0:56:55 Supporter Q2: Will PS5 Pro fix GTA 6’s image quality issues?1:01:45 Supporter Q3: Will GTA 6 become a new highly contested PC benchmark?1:04:56 Supporter Q4: How did the Netflix-only trailer launch go?