DF Direct Weekly #219: Xbox/AMD Next-Gen Partnership, Donkey Kong Bananza, Neural Texture Update
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...
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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?
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1:51:44
Nintendo Switch 2 - DF Hardware Review - A Satisfying Upgrade... But Display Issues Are Problematic
It's here - the biggest and most comprehensive Digital Foundry hardware test we've ever done. Across two hours of #content, Oliver Mackenzie, John Linneman and Rich Leadbetter share their data, tests, opinions and impressions of the entire Switch 2 package ranging from hardware analysis, display options, power consumption and efficiency, loading time and WiFi tests, back-compat, Game Share, Game Chat and much, much more. We love most of what we see - but key technologies like VRR and HDR disappoint in a blurry handheld experience that must be improved.
0:00:00 Overview
0:01:54 Hardware overview: specs, form factor, and Pro Controller
0:10:33 Portable screen: contrast, response time, handheld HDR and VRR
0:37:21 Display output: HDMI quirks, HDR configuration, 120Hz support
0:48:08 Power efficiency, power consumption, and battery life
1:02:46 Loading times: internal storage, MicroSD, and cartridge differences
1:06:17 WiFi and ethernet download speeds
1:10:54 Backwards compatibility: game speedups and incompatibilities
1:22:09 GameChat and GameShare
1:35:05 Virtual Game Card and UI issues
1:44:59 Overall thoughts and conclusion
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The catastrophic launch of MindsEye dominates the Direct this week - but how does the game actually look and run on PS5 Pro and PC? We'll have a more detailed review soon, but there's good and bad with this one. Meanwhile, legit-looking specs emerge for the next-gen PlayStation handheld, Switch 2 sells through 3.5m units in four days and Rich spends some time looking at Stellar Blade's PC ports. Meanwhile, John has a brace of retro-based stories to share with you.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:48 News 1: MindsEye suffers troubled launch
0:20:27 News 2: Switch 2 sells 3.5 million units in first four days
0:28:45 News 3: Next-gen PlayStation handheld specs rumoured
0:41:29 News 4: Stellar Blade PC delivers good performance
0:51:39 News 5: Retro Afterplay enables web browser emulation
0:58:27 News 6: Mortal Kombat 2 ported to 3DO
1:05:20 Supporter Q1: Will next-gen Xbox be third party like the Xbox Ally?
1:12:13 Supporter Q2: What Switch games would you like to see patched for Switch 2?
1:17:43 Supporter Q3: How widespread is DLSS actually on Switch 2?
1:29:25 Supporter Q4: What happens to game rendering when you change the output resolution on your console?
1:33:07 Supporter Q5: Could Microsoft have bluffed their way to success with Xbox One?
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1:46:56
DF Direct Special: Xbox Showcase Reaction - Xbox Ally Handhelds, Final Fantasy 16 Tested + More!
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
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1:19:54
DF Direct Weekly #217: Summer Game Fest/State Of Play! Black Myth Wukong Xbox! PS5 VRR fixed!
Join Rich, Alex and John for their thoughts on two of the major summer events: Sony's State of Play and Geoff's Summer Game Fest. The team share their thoughts on the biggest games of the shows, before moving onto other matters: Rich is happy to see that Sony has fixed the VRR stuttering problem with PlayStation consoles, Alex discusses the team's cameo in an Unreal Fest anti-stutter presentation and the trio try to get to grips with Black Myth Wukong's sudden Xbox announcement.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:17 News 1: Summer Game Fest 2025 - Resident Evil Requiem
0:10:00 Mortal Shell 2, Onimusha: Way of the Sword,
0:17:12 Felt That Boxing, Mina The Hollower
0:26:26 Death Stranding 2 and Geoffcon evaluations
0:31:31 News 2: State of Play June 2025 - Lumines Arise
0:36:12 Pragmata, Romeo is a Dead Man
0:43:36 Silent Hill F, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement
0:49:49 Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, Nioh 3
0:57:40 007: First Light
1:07:25 Ninja Gaiden, Mortal Kombat, Hirogami, Final Fantasy Tactics, Thief VR, Sword of the Sea, Marvel Tōkon
1:16:59 News 3: PS5 VRR stutter fixed!
1:23:26 News 4: Black Myth: Wukong gets Xbox release date
1:32:47 News 5: DF features in “Kill the Hitch”
1:41:10 Supporter Q1: How do The Witcher 4 (in tech demo form) and GTA 6 compare?
1:47:20 Supporter Q2: How close will the final version of The Witcher 4 be to its tech demo?
1:51:02 Supporter Q3: Will the Witcher 4 run on Switch 2?
1:53:01 Supporter Q4: Why is the Switch 2 such a conservative hardware concept?
1:59:23 Supporter Q5: Is there a compelling reason for Switch 2 owners to keep their Switch 1s?
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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 visuals, sound, and performance happening on PlayStation, Xbox, the most powerful PC setups, and more. If you’re a geek for graphics, GPUs, or just video games in general, DF Direct will help you get the most out of your gaming setup. DF Direct is a part of the Geek Media Podcast Network, an IGN Entertainment Brand. Visit Geek.com for more information.
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