Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

DF returns to QSSR coverage with a closer look at Ghost of Yōtei, with John weighing in with his opinions on Marvel's Wolverine too. Rich reveals that Sony isn't the first to port an AI upscaler to a non-AI based GPU, showing FSR 4 running on the RDNA 1 Radeon RX 5700 XT. Meanwhile, John's very happy with the PC version of Gears of War: E-Day. And after sharing some stories on anniversary DF content, the Star Wars Galactic Racer review embargo hits in real-time - and John's got a lot to say about it...

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:13 News 1: QSSR tested in Ghost of Yōtei

0:25:19 News 2: FSR 4 port on RDNA 1 RX 5700 XT

0:35:36 News 3: Gears of War: E-Day PC impressions

0:53:27 Retrospective: Switch OLED

1:00:13 Retrospective: Mantis Burn Racing 4K60 on PS4 Pro

1:06:46 Star Wars: Galactic Racer review reaction

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A surprise to be sure - and a welcome one. Out of the blue, Sony has released QSSR - Quick Spectral Super Resolution - a refactoring of PS5 Pro's PSSR for the standard PlayStation 5. In this video, Rich and Oliver share their initial thoughts on the technology. We've got image quality comparisons from Marvel's Wolverine, we've got early performance testing from a PS5 dev kit, comparisons with PSSR and much more.

00:00 Introduction

01:29 What is QSSR?

05:28 QSSR vs IGTI

11:13 QSSR vs. PSSR

16:51 QSSR performance

26:04 Will QSSR be in GTA 6?

28:35 Concluding thoughts

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The progress in PS5 emulation for PC is becoming extremely rapid - so just how viable is it and should Sony be worried? Meanwhile, Rich, Oliver and Will discuss a range of topics: can PS5 Pro run PSSR and FSR frame gen together? Will PCs eventually replace consoles? Can a Project Helix console replace both a gaming PC and an Xbox console? And... would the Project Helix concept have changed if Xbox had won the console generation?

00:00 Introduction

00:41 PlayStation 5 Emulation on PC gathers pace

13:55 Q1: Why can't PS5 Pro run PSSR and FSR 3.1 frame gen together?

21:27 Q2: Will PC eventually replace console gaming?

27:25 Q3: Will Halo move onto the Call of Duty engine?

34:02 Q4: Will Project Helix replace both PC and console?

39:09 Q5: Would Project Helix be different if Xbox Series won the console generation?

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An extremely busy week at the Foundry but the Direct cannot be stopped - the team discuss the latest news as the "Xbox Reset" enters Phase Two and Halo is shipped off to Activision. Meanwhile, Rich, Oliver and Tom join forces to run the rule over Silent Hill Townfall, becauise the show moves on to discuss the implications of the next-gen consoles' respective GPU TFLOPs numbers. And finally, ending the show on a high note, Rich revisits 007 First Light path tracing, finding a night and day improvement in performance over the original release.

00:00 Introduction

01:12 News 1: Halo Studios decimated as Halo moves to Activision

17:26 News 2: Silent Hill: Townfall tested on PS5, PS5 Pro, and PC!

36:54 News 3: Rumour says PS6 at 40 teraflops, Xbox Helix at 56 teraflops

48:28 News 4: 007 First Light gets path tracing performance boost

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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?

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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...

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00:00 Introduction

01:17 News 1: 007 First Light gets PC path tracing patch

18:28 News 2: Kingmakers resurfaces in extended trailer

26:44 News 3: Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave impressions!

39:34 News 4: Diablo 4 tested on Switch 2

47:49 News 5: Rumour: new Nvidia, AMD GPUs won’t be released until 2028

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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?!

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00:00 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?

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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.

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0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:28 News 1: Kojima’s Physint dropped by Sony, picked up by Microsoft

0:24:57 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!

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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?

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00:00 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?

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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.

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0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:43 News 1: Sony releases disappointing State of Play

0:25:49 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?

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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.

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0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:27 What is DLSS 5?

0:15:36 DLSS 5 visuals in NBA 2K27

0:25:07 DLSS 5 performance in NBA 2K27

0:42:17 Mods: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

0:50:03 Mods: Forza Horizon 6, Monster Hunter Rise, Starfield

1:00:14 Concluding thoughts

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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.

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0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:01 News 1: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered revealed

0:12:52 News 2: Xbox disc to digital program officially announced

0:23:18 Gamescom demos: Fable

0:30:46 Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

0:38:01 Capcom: Mega Man: Dual Override, Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen

0:46:51 Sega: Alien Isolation 2, Stranger than Heaven

0:54:48 Konami: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Silent Hill: Townfall

1:10:20 State of Decay 3

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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 Introduction

0:01:24 Overall impressions

0:10:09 Performance: 30 FPS only

0:25:22 Lighting: shadowmaps, RT reflections, RTGI

0:37:31 Simulation and the open world

0:45:49 Image quality

0:50:57 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?

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At the time of recording, it was the lull before the storm that is Gamescom 2026 - but we've still got a bunch of fascinating questions to wade through. Have we got it all wrong with PlayStation 6? Is it actually the hotly rumoured handheld with Sony pivoting in a Nintendo-like direction? If games hit photorealism, where does that leave Digital Foundry? And are plasma TVs the new CRT?

00:00 Introduction

01:21 Sponsored by MSI QD-OLED

02:42 Supporter Q1: Could the next-gen PSP and PS6 be the same thing?

14:26 Supporter Q2: Should PC games rename their graphics settings to constrain performance expectations?

22:27 Supporter Q3: If games become photorealistic, what will Digital Foundry do?

31:20 Supporter Q4: Are plasma TVs the new CRTs?

42:58 Supporter Q5: Will DF leave secret messages about upcoming hardware in DF Directs?

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We're not going to be commenting on leaks from a stolen GTA 6 build that's years old and promoting a memecoin but we WILL be talking about Sony's comments on not knowing PS6's pricing and release date and assessing the Black Myth Zhong Kui gameplay reveal. Rich is intrigued by Alan Wake's big PC upgrade for AMD users, while John muses over the reported end of live service elements in Horizon Hunters Gathering. Finally, five years ago, Alex made a range of predictions about Switch 2 and DLSS... so how accurate did they turn out to be?

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:49 News 1: Sony undecided on PS6 release date

0:20:18 News 2: Remedy adds FSR 4.1 support in Alan Wake 2

0:27:23 News 3: Black Myth: Zhong Kui demoed

0:34:57 News 4: Horizon: Hunters Gathering drops live service elements

0:45:38 News 5: Doom ported to 12 year old camera

0:51:59 Retrospective: Alex’s Switch 2 DLSS predictions

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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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The news has been pretty grim for the last few months, so why not concentrate on the positives? PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have delivered the best performing videogame generation since the 16-bit 2D era with more support for 60fps gaming than any other 3D-focused console. How did this happen and what are the drawbacks? Meanwhile, if those same consoles are effectively pint-sized PCs using PC components, why is there the sense that PC gaming is far less performant than it should be? John, Rich and Oliver discuss this, with a cameo from Tom talking Splatoon Raiders and OG Xbox "back compat" improvements.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:41 News 1: This is the most performant console generation in 30 years... but what about PC?

0:32:23 News 2: Have we gone too easy on Halo: Campaign Evolved?

0:47:00 News 3: Will Xbox Helix cut out Steam?

0:59:05 News 4: Splatoon Raiders tested!

1:14:40 News 5: Improvements for Xbox BC on PC!

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The hardware situation grows more bleak by the week, so where does this leave next generation consoles? If they're too expensive, will developers target them over current-gen hardware? Is enhanced RT and path tracing enough to make people upgrade? Will there be actual next-gen exclusives? Would it make more sense to buy a higher-end PC now? All this and more is discussed in the latest show.

00:00 Introduction

00:57 Supporter Q1: Why should people want next-gen consoles?

19:09 Supporter Q2: Will people hold on to PS5 and Series X to play their disc games?

28:59 Supporter Q3: Should we just buy expensive PCs now, in lieu of next-gen consoles?

40:29 Supporter Q4: Does Xbox BC on PC threaten Steam?

46:57 Supporter Q5: Will we see future Xbox ports for Switch 2?

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In the latest DF Direct Weekly, we go deeper into the OG Xbox emulator for PC... which is actually running within an Xbox 360 emulator, Inception-style. So what's the masterplan from Microsoft? The team mull over the reaction to Halo: Campaign Evolved, more details emerge on the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 2 and it's panic stations - again - as Valve predicts that the memory crisis is only going to get worse. Much worse.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:03:25 News 1: Xbox BC tested on PC!

0:23:48 News 2: Halo Campaign Evolved: a beautiful remake

0:44:56 News 3: Konami reveals resolution, frame-rate targets for new MGS collection

0:55:40 News 4: Valve warns memory crisis “getting worse”

1:10:24 Retrospective: Xbox One S review

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The Q+A show returns, with Rich, Oliver and Will getting to grips with the potential of the Creation Engine 3 in The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, while assessing the merits of Doom as THE great American videogame. Sony's new vapour chamber patent is considered for PS6 viability, while questions linger over what Sega's support for Nvidia's RTX Spark actually amounts to. And there's more: what would the generation have looked like if it stuck to 30fps? Is Sony killing discs really about its post-handheld ecosystem? And what's the deal with Oliver's cat?

00:00 Introduction

00:42 Supporter Q1: What can we expect from Bethesda’s Creation Engine 3?

13:58 Supporter Q2: Is Doom (1993) the great American video game?

20:37 Supporter Q3: Does Sony’s new vapour chamber patent mean they are ditching liquid metal?

26:58 Supporter Q4: Will developers deliver native ARM versions of their games for RTX Spark?

33:16 Supporter Q5: Would console graphics look better if developers skipped 60 FPS modes entirely?

41:40 Supporter Q6: Has the next-gen portable PlayStation driven Sony’s decision to kill discs?

46:58 Supporter Q7: When will we see the non-tail parts of Oliver’s cat?

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Bethesda tweets out its current Fallout/Elders Scrolls plans... but why? Meanwhile, digital accounts and draconian anti-consumer limitations come into focus, the Ryzen 7 7700X3D is released and Capcom reveals good news about its upcoming Dragon's Dogma 2 Switch 2 port. Dying Light The Beast is cancelled on last-gen, rumours emerge of a Switch 2 OLED and the team reflect on the tenth anniversary of our reveal of the original Nintendo Switch specs.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:40 News 1: Bethesda announces new Fallout games in massive post

0:25:44 News 2: Streamer’s Microsoft account pulled, reinstated after outcry

0:47:51 News 3: Capcom claims Dragon’s Dogma 2 on Switch 2 “exceeding expectations”

0:58:04 News 4: Dying Light: The Beast cancelled on last-gen consoles

1:06:34 News 5: Ryzen 7700X3D tested!

1:18:13 News 6: Nintendo reportedly considering Switch 2 OLED

1:28:22 Retrospective: Nintendo Switch 1 specs reveal

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The fallout from the Xbox Reset continues as more questions are raised: does Xbox's recent pivots change the plan for Project Helix? Will it still allow other PC stores to run on it? Will it have a disc drive? Meanwhile, other questions are asked: will cancelling PlayStation Plus make Sony rethink its physical media cancellation? What about the "code in the box" GTA 6? And is Nintendo the last platform holder that not to lay-off its developers and antagonise its audience?

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Supporter Q1: If Microsoft makes so much money as a platform holder, why will Project Helix let you play Steam games?

14:41 Supporter Q2: Could Project Helix have an optional disc drive?

19:46 Supporter Q3: Could players sway Sony’s mind on PS5 discs by cancelling PlayStation Plus?

26:09 Supporter Q4: What’s the worst thing Nintendo has ever done?

34:20 Supporter Q5: Should we buy GTA 6 in physical form to prove a point to Sony and Take-Two?

37:17 Supporter Q6: What PS3 game should get the Black Flag Resynced treatment?

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In the wake of the outcry against the decimation of id Software, Microsoft and seemingly id itself try to downplay the damage and reassure the audience - but what do we think of this - and indeed John Carmack's statements on the issue? Meanwhile Oliver has some bad news about Call of Duty Black Ops on PS5 or rather, the "Just There" edition as Rich dubs it. Beyond that, the petition against the end of PS5 physical media crosses the 250,000 threshold and there's further evidence that RTX 50 Series Super is happening. Finally, after wading through a bunch of bad news, the team find something to celebrate as we hit the five year anniversary of the Steam Deck reveal.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:32 News 1: Doom: The Dark Ages DLC arrives, while id layoffs linger

0:35:23 News 2: “Don’t kill the disc” petition crosses 250,000 signatures

0:55:07 News 3: Black Ops 1 & 2 launch on PS4, PS5

1:02:53 News 4: PSU maker drops RTX 50 Super series info

1:13:18 Retrospective: 5 years of Steam Deck

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One part necessary re-organisation, one part liberation for key developers, one part vandalism of Xbox studios, it's a mixture of disbelief and anger from the DF panel as the full extent of Xbox's so-called "reset" becomes clear. If Asha Sharma's report on the business is on the level, clearly something had to be done - but as the scale of the lay-offs and the astonishing cuts to id Software become clear, are spreadsheets now more important to Microsoft than its audience?

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:51 Supporter Q1: Why is Microsoft laying off 3200 people?

0:28:39 Supporter Q2: Will Sony be forced to be more flexible with their digital storefront, now that physical discs are on the way out?

0:45:04 Supporter Q3: Should Microsoft and Sony just call their next-gen consoles off?

0:54:48 Supporter Q4: Could the PS6 SoC be revised?

1:00:19 Supporter Q5: Could you use PCIe expansion to attach graphics expansion tech to current consoles?

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Sony announces the end of PlayStation game discs via a three paragraph blog post - bringing to an end the era of physical media and actually owning the games you buy, along with the right to resell them, share them and preserve them. A sombre panel assesses the full implications of Sony's decision, why it's doing it, the damage it'll cause and how the PlayStation Store needs a major revamp to take the place of physical media. Also: Sony shuts down the PS3 and Vita stores, Xbox may have alternative plans for potentially phasing out discs and a new Switch 2 LCD panel will hopefully address the problems of the current one.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:52 News 1: Sony planning to cease manufacturing new PlayStation games

0:43:32 News 2: Sony pulling PS3, Vita digital stores

0:54:47 News 3: Xbox disc to digital program reportedly planned

1:01:55 News 4: New Switch 2 display reportedly enters the fray

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In the wake of Steam Machine pricing and sharp Xbox MSRP increases, are we looking at the prospect of a $1000 next-gen console? John, Rich and Oliver discuss. Meanwhile, in the current climate, how can you save money on gaming hardware? Is GTA 6 in danger of being the most over-hyped game ever? And if time travel were available, how could the current Xbox crisis have been averted?

00:00 Introduction

00:51 News 1: How does the gaming industry survive recent hardware price bumps?

24:54 News 2: What’s your advice for saving money on gaming hardware?

33:44 News 3: How is John feeling after the GTA 6 code-in-a-box fiasco?

42:11 News 4: Is GTA 6 the most overhyped game ever?

46:57 News 5: If you could time travel, how would you fix Xbox?

55:28 News 6: What’s the future of the Steam Machine?

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Oliver, Rich and Tom discuss GTA 6. Are the 63 new screenshots indicative of actual gameplay? What about the "code in a box" situation? Are the latest PS5 Pro rumours plausible? Meanwhile, the panel is shocked by the huge Xbox price rises, somewhat more positive about FSR 4 arriving on RDNA 3 GPUs, and there's a full breakdown of Sonic Frontiers for Switch 2. And finally, SteamOS can now power a range of desktop PC hardware - but wasn't Bazzite doing that already?

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:37 News 1: New GTA 6 assets, details released

0:32:43 News 2: AI-driven price rises hit Xbox, Apple

0:45:52 News 3: FSR 4.1 released for RDNA 3 GPUs

0:57:50 News 4: SteamOS 3.8 supports wide range of AMD PCs

1:05:53 News 5: Sonic Frontiers tested on Switch 2!

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In the wake of our Steam Machine review, Rich and Will tackle a range of Supporter questions on the price, value and design of the hardware, the ability of Valve to supply it - and the future of SteamOS in general.

00:00 Introduction

00:37 Supporter Q1: What should we think of the value of the Steam Machine?

12:03 Supporter Q2: What’s the target audience for the Steam Machine?

20:01 Supporter Q3: Should Valve have used unified memory?

25:19 Supporter Q4: Is Valve incapable of shipping hardware in volume at the moment?

29:30 Supporter Q5: Will Nvidia be supported in future SteamOS releases?

35:09 Supporter Q6: Why doesn’t the Steam Machine have a lunchbox-style handle?

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Actual GTA 6 news - and a new clip - see John, Tom and Oliver "concerned" over missing RT reflections. Then it's onto Unreal Fest with discussion on the latest Unreal Engine 5 upgrades and the implications of AI in Unreal Engine 6 workflow. The Gears of War: E-Day tech demo demands attention, while John gets to grips with a staggeringly expensive VR headset. And would you believe it's been a whole five years since we published our massive PS1 launch episode of DF Retro? John's got some stories to share.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:33 News 1: Rockstar releases new GTA 6 footage

0:11:10 News 2: Unreal Engine 5.8 demonstrated at Unreal Fest

0:31:10 News 3: Epic reveals new Unreal Engine 6 details

0:39:41 News 4: New PS5 8TB SSD costs nearly $3000

0:45:20 News 5: Call of Duty Black Ops 1 and 2 being ported to PlayStation

0:50:49 News 6: John tests Pimax Dream Air

1:03:56 Retrospective: looking back on DF Retro PS1

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The team is left reeling after reports emerge of studios on the brink within Microsoft - a far cry from the highs of the summer showcase and previous comments from management about preserving their studio structure. Meanwhile, we discuss ARM's new ML rendering suite, the potential return of the previously cancelled RTX 50-series Super cards and... is Sega working on a retro handheld and if so, what would we want from it?

00:00 Introduction

00:48 Supporter Q1: What’s going on at Xbox?

21:08 Supporter Q2: Will Xbox become the next 3DO?

29:35 Supporter Q3: What do you think of ARM’s new AI rendering suite?

36:44 Supporter Q4: What should we expect from the 50 series Super cards?

44:00 Supporter Q5: What does Intel and Nvidia’s GPU collaboration mean for Arc?

49:35 Supporter Q6: Is Sega working on a new retro handheld?

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Nintendo Direct rounds off the big summer gaming events and... well, it's a mixed bag for sure. What have we learned about the Ocarina of Time Remake? How well are the third party ports holding up? John, Rich and Oliver have some thoughts on that before moving on to reactions to the 30 minute Fable gameplay demo. Meanwhile, Nintendo is planning a new Switch 2 revision with a replaceable battery and... somehow, the RTX 3060 has returned.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:12 News 1: Nintendo Direct: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

0:09:29 Xenoblade Genesis, Xenoblade 1-3 Switch 2 Editions

0:17:40 Kingdom Hearts 4, Kingdom Hearts 1-3

0:22:21 Third party games: Dragon’s Dogma 2, Onimusha, Metaphor Refantazio, Space Marine 2, The Duskbloods, Devil May Cry 5, Rise of the Tomb Raider

0:35:47 News 2: Fable previewed in 30 minute demo

0:42:55 News 3: Switch 2 gets easily repairable EU edition

0:50:46 News 4: Is the RTX 3060 coming back?

1:03:51 Retrospective: Five years of FSR 1

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Our audience has questions, we've got answers - but first, the team gets to grips with the contents of Asha Sharma and Matt Booty's Xbox Reset memo. Beyond that, is Xbox console exclusivity the best route forward? Should Valve update Steam Machine specs? Will God of War Laufey get a massive PS6 enhancement? It's a big show and there's still more to discuss beyond that.

00:00 Introduction

01:00 What should we make of Asha Sharma’s “XBOX Reset?”

21:40 Supporter Q1: Will exclusives be enough to save Xbox?

27:47 Supporter Q2: Should Valve scrap Steam Machine for something more powerful?

33:44 Supporter Q3: Could God of War Laufey feature RTGI on PS6?

37:44 Supporter Q4: Are mainstream CPUs good enough for modern games?

44:18 Supporter Q5: Has the Series S secretly saved Switch 2?

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Taped before we produced our Xbox Showcase coverage, it's John, Rich and Oliver at their respective microphones to discuss all the big games at the recent Summer Game Fest. Geoff came good - as this excellent line-up of titles reveals.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:02:28 Final Fantasy 7 Revelation

0:10:35 Resident Evil Veronica

0:19:20 Stellar Blade: Blood Rain

0:24:35 Mighty Cuphead Adventures

0:29:25 Alien Isolation 2

0:33:21 Gen Atlas

0:40:23 Clutch

0:45:12 Crossfire

0:52:42 Virtua Fighter Crossroads

0:58:14 Other games: Haex, Star Wars Galactic Racer, 1666 Amsterdam, Star Wars Zero Company, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush, Guild Wars 3, Super Yooka-Laylee Kart

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It's Xbox's time to shine with the latest in the big summer showcases and Team Green certainly delivered. Gears of War: E-Day finally breaks cover, Halo Campaign Evolved impresses, while Senua, Metro 2039 and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy look phenomenal. But what's the deal with Microsoft's exclusivity strategy and will it actually work?

0:00:00 Introduction

0:00:46 Gears of War: E-Day

0:13:36 Clockwork Revolution

0:16:21 Is Xbox returning to exclusive games?

0:29:30 Halo Campaign Evolved

0:34:24 Persona 4 Revival and Persona 6

0:38:52 Senua

0:43:21 Spyro: A Realm Beyond

0:46:02 Metro 2039

0:49:35 Crazy Taxi: World Tour

0:53:20 Doom: The Dark Ages | Revelations

0:57:57 Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember

1:00:48 Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

1:04:40 Xbox 25th Anniversary Series X

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At the time of publication, it has been one year and one day since Nintendo launched the Switch 2 console - so, as is DF tradition, it's time to look back over the last year and assess the system's track record so far. Strong back compat, impressive first and third party support, actual ray tracing and game-changing DLSS results - has Nintendo managed to put a foot wrong at all?

00:00 Overview

01:10 Is Switch 2 a generational leap over Switch 1?

11:40 What are the worst and best Switch 2 ports?

21:46 Has Nintendo extracted the most from Switch 2 in their own games?

27:34 Have we accepted Switch 2’s hardware flaws?

33:27 What do we make of GameChat, GameShare, and mouse controls?

37:51 How do we rate Switch 2’s backwards compatibility?

44:08 Concluding thoughts

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With the welcome announcement of Call of Duty coming to Switch 2, the question is... can the hardware handle the series' signature 60fps? Meanwhile, what does Nvidia aim to achieve with its new RTX Spark processor? In the wake of the shock Steam Deck price rises, could a self-built PC potentially offer superior value? What's the fate of Xbox Series S in the Helix era? All this and more in the new DF Direct Q+A show.

00:00 Introduction

00:40 Supporter Q1: Do you think Modern Warfare 4 will be good on Switch 2?

09:38 Supporter Q2: Is the Nvidia N1X an expensive, niche chip?

24:25 Supporter Q3: Is a custom PC a better deal than Steam Machine?

31:00 Supporter Q4: Are review embargoes becoming more strict?

37:50 Supporter Q5: Will Microsoft ditch Series S when Project Helix arrives?

42:07 Supporter Q6: Are high hardware prices a boon for game optimization?

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The summer games showcase event season is upon us and Sony is first off the mark with an excellent showing. God of War Laufey and Marvel's Wolverine are the highlights of the event, but there's plenty more that caught our eye here. John and Oliver share their thoughts on the event.

00:00 Introduction 

01:13 God of War Laufey 

08:44 Marvel’s Wolverine 

16:46 Rayman Legends Retold 

20:50 Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve 

25:09 Stuntman Hollywood 

28:55 Until Dawn 2

32:24 Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis 

35:30 Kemuri 

37:45 Omimusha: Way of the Sword 

43:07 Concluding thoughts 

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The shock news of +40% price rises for Steam Deck kicks off a BIG Direct this week, swiftly followed by the team's first impressions of the PC version of 007 First Light - and its ker-azy upscaling issues. The new Call of Duty coming to Switch 2 is a topic of much interest, as is the announcement of a brand-new expansion for The Witcher 3. Rich is dismayed by the presentation of bare buttocks in Metal Gear Solid 4's PS5 remaster, the panel reminisces on five years of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart - and we deliver an explainer on why it's getting more difficult to cover Xbox Series versions of third-party multi-platform games.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:04 News 1: Valve restocks Steam Deck with massive price bump

0:20:26 News 2: 007 First Light suffers DLSS issues on PC

0:39:39 News 3: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 announced

0:47:13 News 4: New Witcher 3 expansion announced

0:53:27 News 5: MGS4 PS5 port demoed!

1:04:33 News 6: Xbox whitelisting woes derail game coverage

1:14:08 Retrospective: Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart 5-year anniversary

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The team sit down once more to discuss the latest questions from DF Supporters. What do we make of Unreal Engine 6's debut in Rocket League of all places? Has Epic delivered a version of Lumen that is performant enough for lower spec kit? Is Sony's quality control to be blamed for lower than expected PC sales and finally, the big one... if Steam is a monopoly, why do we like it?

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Supporter Q1: What should we make of the Unreal Engine 6 announcement?

16:48 Supporter Q2: What does the new “medium Lumen” preset mean for Switch 2?

21:52 Supporter Q3: Which UE5 game got closest visually to The Matrix Awakens?

25:58 Supporter Q4: Has the RTX 4090 aged like fine wine?

34:10 Supporter Q5: Should Sony’s declining PC port quality be blamed for poor sales?

42:05 Supporter Q6: If people don’t like monopolies, why do they like Steam?

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John, Oliver and Rich sit down to discuss the latest gaming and technology news, kicking off with the end of the road for Destiny 2. It's had a fantastic long run, but where does that leave Bungie? Following that, it's a - dare we say it - Unreal Fest. The team discuss the latest Lego Batman on PS5 and PC, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on Switch and more, before moving into retrospective mode - it's been one year since the Witcher 4 UE5 demo and five years since we went hands-on with the Valley of the Ancient demo, so what have we learned? And finally, the nostalgia continues: this week, it's been an incredible TEN YEARS of DF Retro!

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:16 News 1: Bungie ends Destiny 2 development

0:19:44 News 2: Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight released

0:32:51 News 3: Yoshi and the Mysterious Book tested

0:45:41 News 4: Two new UE5 games buck engine trends

0:57:36 Retrospective: 5 year Unreal Engine 5 early access anniversary

1:12:07 Retrospective: DF Retro celebrates 10 year anniversary

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The show kicks off with the news that Sony is no longer bringing its single-player narrative-driven games to PC before moving on to supporter questions! How competitive would PS5 with Linux be to Valve's Steam Machine? Will FSR 4.1 come to Xbox consoles and could a PSSR Lite come to base PlayStation 5? Would there be any point bringing Quick Resume to PS6 and... is it Xbox or XBOX and should we change our pronounciation of the name?!

00:00 Introduction

00:45 News: Sony says single-player Sony games will no longer release on PC

08:14 Supporter Q1: Could a Linux-running PS5 be a good Steam Machine alternative?

12:48 Supporter Q2: Will FSR 4.1 come to Xbox? What about a PSSR for base PS5?

19:03 Supporter Q3: Could Sony implement Quick Resume for PS5?

24:56 Supporter Q4: Could a new third party commercial game engine succeed?

33:15 Supporter Q5: Do any of you double dip on game re-releases?

40:42 Supporter Q6: Is it Xbox or XBOX?

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PS5 Linux continues to yield dividends as Rich tests path tracing on PS5 with Quake 2 RTX, Portal RTX and Cyberpunk 2077 RT Overdrive (!) on Sony's console. Beyond that, there's great news with the announcement of FSR 4.1 coming to older Radeon graphics cards, and there's a hint that Xbox may have some kind of "disc to digital" way to bring your physical purchases over to a potentially disc-less Project Helix. Finally, the team celebrate a duo of key anniversaries - Uncharted 4 and Doom 2016!

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:03 News 1: Path tracing tested on PS5!

0:22:07 News 2: FSR 4.1 coming to RDNA 2/3

0:36:07 News 3: New 007 First Light footage shows 60fps PS5 Pro gameplay

0:46:23 News 4: Report suggests Xbox “disc to digital” program may be coming

0:57:18 Retrospective: 10 year Uncharted 4 anniversary

1:09:36 Retrospective: 10 year Doom (2016) anniversary

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Another packed Direct Q+A show sees Oliver, Rich and Alex getting to grips with high-end graphics: are they actually worth it and are technological advances worth pushing? Meanwhile, can Switch 2 last for the 6-7 years Nintendo wants it to - or will next-gen consoles make it obsolete for multi-platform titles? All this and more in the new Direct Q+A Show.

00:00 Introduction

00:53 Supporter Q1: Is the high end PC experience really worth it? Should we stop pushing top-tier visuals in general?

11:07 Supporter Q2: Will we have to wait years for a SWOLED 2? What should we make of Nintendo’s reported increase in R&D spend?

19:44 Supporter Q3: Can Switch 2 handle another 6 or 7 years of cross-gen software?

24:46 Supporter Q4: Given inflation, isn’t it true that gaming hardware today is relatively cheap?

31:02 Supporter Q5: Could Microsoft ship a version of Windows for Xbox Series?

35:36 Supporter Q6: Will Project Helix hardware prove tempting for AI users?

39:09 Supporter Q7: Is PC emulation on Android ready for prime time?

44:04 Supporter Q8: What would you do in 2026 with an old 10-series PC?

49:17 Supporter Q9: How much does Oliver cut out of DF Direct every week?

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In this week's Direct, Oliver, John and Rich get to grips with the reveal of Nintendo's Star Fox remake for Switch 2, there's justified concern over the Nintendo price hike for its new console, while Activision confirms that the next Call of Duty will finally leave last generation hardware behind. Meanwhile, the Pragmata resolution saga continues with an undocumented resolution hike for the PlayStation 5 Professional, while Pragmata (again) has an unconventional way to boost performance on Switch 2. And finally, the panel mark the 10th anniversary of Nvidia's remarkable Pascal architecture.

0:00:00 Introduction

0:01:19 News 1: Nintendo reveals Star Fox!

0:17:18 News 2: Nintendo increases Switch 2 prices

0:27:38 News 3: Next Call of Duty drops PS4

0:39:05 News 4: Pragmata gets surprise PS5 Pro resolution bump

0:46:39 News 5: Switch 2 GameChat can boost game performance!

0:56:24 News 6: Nvidia 10 series hits 10 year anniversary!

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A new Q+A show sees John, Rich and Alex tackle a number of big questions. Is Project Helix a console or PC? What's the difference nowadays anyway? Will Microsoft's "K2" initiative win back users lamenting the Windows experience? Meanwhile, with no games focusing on ray tracing, will rasterised fallbacks decline in quality going forward? All this and much, much more.

00:00 Introduction

00:50 Supporter Q1: When does a console become a PC?

10:27 Supporter Q2: What should we expect from Microsoft’s “K2” plan for Windows?

21:33 Supporter Q3: Will developers stop caring about their raster-only graphics?

34:19 Supporter Q4: What do you think of the Neo Geo AES+?

39:19 Supporter Q5: Why is Intel starting to ignore gaming dGPUs?

44:54 Supporter Q6: Is using frame gen to get to 30fps acceptable?

51:12 Supporter Q7: Do you know what pico means in Chilean Spanish?

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Exploited PS5s can now run Linux - so obviously we had to check it out, running Steam versions of Crimson Desert, Black Myth Wukong and Pragmata on Linux via Steam, stacked up against the actual PS5 versions - with some fascinating results. Meanwhile, Alex talks us through an amazing tech presentation from the developers of Teardown, John impresses us with his new Anbernic RG477M, Tom provides us test data to prove that Oblivion Remastered is indeed still "broken", while Rich and Alex come to terms with the fact that it's time to say goodbye to the Ryzen 5 3600.0:00:00 Introduction 0:02:15 News 1: Linux gaming on PS5 tested! 0:26:31 News 2: Teardown devs highlight voxel ray tracing enhancements0:38:10 News 3: Anbernic retro handheld tested! 0:50:31 News 4: Oblivion Remastered is still broken 0:59:29 News 5: Saying goodbye to the Ryzen 5 3600

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