Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

Bethesda is promising a new patch for Oblivion Remastered based on the Switch 2 version's optimisations - but is there any evidence to suggest that the Switch 2 improvements will make any real differences for the other versions? Meanwhile, Oliver clarifies his comments on which PC specs reflect next-gen consoles, whether Project Helix will make much of a difference for Microsoft and whether Epic should make their own console (!). Finally, how come Switch 2 hasn't really much in the way of cross-gen first party exclusives?

00:00 Introduction
01:19 Supporter Q1: Can Switch 2 Optimisations Fix Oblivion Remastered on other systems?
16:47 Supporter Q2: How should we think about GPU VRAM and next gen consoles?
25:13 Supporter Q3: How was Nintendo able to transition from Switch 1 to Switch 2 so quickly?
32:24 Supporter Q4: If Microsoft stops shipping Xboxes, what will be lost?
40:57 Supporter Q5: Is Valve not being stringent enough with their Steam Deck Verified program?
45:49 Supporter Q6: Should Epic make their own Epic Games Machine with Unreal Engine optimizations?
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The team react to Pearl Abyss' statement that Crimson Desert is - somehow - coming to Switch 2, but the first order of business is to share impressions (and performance testing) for the Gears of War E-Day MP beta on PC... and while extremely impressive, we do have some concerns. Rich tests a remarkable system for playing Switch 2 games on the go in TV move with a virtual 174-inch OLED display, John's excited by a new wave of announced VR titles, there's curiousity around Xbox/Game Pass app games coming to Linux and there's some eyebrow-raising data on Resident Evil Requiem physical disc sales.

0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:36 News 1: Gears of War: E-Day tested on PC!
0:24:28 News 2: Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert confirmed
0:36:11 News 3: Viture Beast, Pro 2 XR glasses tested
0:50:11 News 4: Resident Evil Requiem figures show high physical sales
1:00:37 News 5: Project Xodus brings Xbox PC games to Linux, Mac
1:09:23 News 6: VR Games Showcase demos upcoming VR titles
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It's been a year since Digital Foundry parted ways with IGN, buying out its shares and becoming completely independent. The team discuss the challenges of the last 12 months within the context of continuing bad news within the games business, before discussing what we've achieved from our objectives, where we've fallen short and how we're looking to revamp our tools. Beyond that, there are more questions about the future of the console business, the idea of an Xbox Helix "add in card" for PC, how Nintendo has achieved success without compromising its identity and finally... what PC spec today would match the consoles of tomorrow?

00:00 Introduction
01:07 Celebrating one year of DF independence!
27:42 Supporter Q1: Should we blame Microsoft for the state of PlayStation?
37:32 Supporter Q2: Should Sony follow Nintendo’s first-party centric console approach?
46:22 Supporter Q3: Could Xbox Helix be a system-on-a-chip for PC systems?
50:46 Supporter Q4: What PC hardware will you need for next generation games?
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What was looking like a fairly quiet week turned into a frenzy with the news that Rockstar will be publishing an "extended look" at Grand Theft Auto 6 on August 27 - but what should we expect? And why on earth would Netflix pay for a six-hour exclusivity window? Meanwhile, The Verge reveals Microsoft docs confirming Xbox 360 emulation for PC, Xbox Disc2Digital should be coming soon and someone has Half-Life Alyx kinda running on Meta Quest 3. Finally can the Steam Hardware Survey really be trusted? Are there really more 16GB GPUs out there than 8GB GPUs?

0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:26 Sponsored by Alienware
0:03:46 News 1: Rockstar announces GTA 6 “Extended Look”
0:22:54 News 2: QuakeCon 2026 brings back Quake memories
0:44:46 News 3: Xbox 360 games reportedly coming to PC backwards compatibility
0:57:55 News 4: Half-Life Alyx demoed on Meta Quest 3
1:07:22 News 5: Steam Hardware Survey suggests 16GB GPUs, 8 core CPUs are ascendant
1:16:40
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It took a Q+A session of its own within a financial earnings call - as opposed to talking directly to its users - but Sony has finally responded to the backlash whipped up by its announcement of the cancellation of physical media. What do we make of the response? And if it's just a small minority of PlayStation users upset by the news, is it right that Sony ignores the very negative feedback? Beyond that, we talk next-gen "secret source", whether it's possible for PC users to get a curated out-of-the-box "good settings experience" and where does Project Helix back-compat stand compared to PlayStation 6?

00:00 Introduction
00:44 Supporter Q1: Does Sony’s response to disc discontinuation critics miss the mark?
19:46 Supporter Q2: Do disc enthusiasts represent a minority Sony can ignore?
33:27 Supporter Q3: What ‘secret sauce’ will sell PS6 and Xbox Helix?
42:52 Supporter Q4: Is it too much of a hassle to get good PC performance?
49:34 Supporter Q5: Will Helix be disadvantaged relative to PS6 when playing last gen software?
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