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Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

Digital Foundry
Nintendo Switch 2
Xbox
Playstation 5
Cyberpunk 2077
Ray Tracing
Playstation 5 Pro
Nvidia
DLSS
Nintendo
Grand Theft Auto 6
Switch 2
Microsoft
Unreal Engine 5
Xbox Series X
Star Wars Outlaws
AMD
Playstation
Digital Foundry
Game Pass
Alan Wake 2

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 th... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes321Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

Latest Episodes

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 sh... more

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... more

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 q... more

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 Fes... more

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Recent Guests

Tom Morgan
Contributor assisting with the Lego Batman and Yoshi topics
Episode: DF Direct Weekly #265: The End of Destiny 2, Lego Batman Tested, Yoshi Switch 2
Will Judd
Colleague who compiled archival Unreal Engine discussions
Digital Foundry
Episode: DF Direct Weekly #265: The End of Destiny 2, Lego Batman Tested, Yoshi Switch 2
John Lindemann
Guest, PSSR analysis expert
Digital Foundry
Episode: DF Direct Q+A: The Future Of PSSR, Crimson Desert Intel Issues, DRS vs Dynamic Frame-Gen
John Linnewin
Guest discussing Crimson Desert and related tech
Pearl Abyss (mentioned in discussion)
Episode: DF Direct Weekly #255: Xbox's Big Helix Reveal, Witcher 4 Path Tracing, Crimson Desert Specs
Mark Triforce-Dettelson
Special guest, recording footage for DF Retro
Digital Foundry
Episode: DF Direct Weekly #254: Xbox Project Helix, Sony Exiting PC? Starfield PS5, Crimson Desert Console!
Oliver McKenzie
Special guest co-host, DF editor
Digital Foundry
Episode: DF Direct Weekly #245: Half-Life 3 Steam Machine Launch Game? Skyrim Switch 2 Lag Patch, Marathon!
Thomas Morgan
Special correspondent
Episode: DF Direct Weekly #245: Half-Life 3 Steam Machine Launch Game? Skyrim Switch 2 Lag Patch, Marathon!
Mark Cerny
Lead system architect for PlayStation 5 Pro
Sony
Episode: DF Direct Special: Mark Cerny's PlayStation 5 Pro Deep Dive - Tomorrow's Tech Today?
Mike Fitzgerald
Director of Core Technology at Insomniac
Insomniac
Episode: DF Direct Special: Mark Cerny's PlayStation 5 Pro Deep Dive - Tomorrow's Tech Today?

Hosts

Rich Leadbetter
Host of the show, guide to discussion, frequent presence across DF Direct Weekly and DF Direct Weekly/Direct segments
John Linneman
Co-host and DF co-editor, deep hardware and game analysis
Oliver McKenzie
Co-host contributing technical analysis and opinions, panels on hardware and engines
Alex Batalia
Co-host providing technical analysis and opinions, host on panels
Tom Morgan
Host on the panel segment, DF Direct Weekly

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • “Good stuff”

    like he always says 😂

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rosbeee
    France22 days ago
  • My favorite tech podcast!

    Hi and welcome to this, my brief review of the DF Weekly podcast.

    Originally, I was led to this show from John’s guest appearance on another gaming podcast I regularly enjoy. I love hearing each host’s perspective on various gaming and technology news, and I’ve found myself looking forward to spending time listening to this show each week.

    While there is plenty of high level discussion on games and the games industry, my favorite aspect of this podcast is the technical deep dive they frequen... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    metalheadtundra
    United States8 months ago
  • Snooty

    Picture a podcast where Marjorie Taylor Greene was reviewing bills and Democratic candidates, but she was supposed to be talking about Democrats like she was a part of them. While she’s talking, she’s choking on her own farts that is basically the summary of these guys making video games seem like an awful hobby for some reason.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Darkbroccoli
    United Statesa year ago
  • The best video game tech podcast

    This is absolutely the best gaming podcast about the tech side of things, but 2 stars off because of Alex B. He should only ever be on PC only episodes. If there was a picture in a dictionary of a PC master r*** person it would be him. He’s totally condescending about any other platform. Listening to him is dreadful.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bert-cam
    United Statesa year ago
  • 5 Stars

    As a tech newb, this has been an amazing listen and I’ve learned so much!

    One small nitpick: please stop describing things as interesting. It’s the least interesting thing to say about a subject.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigGoudaLTC
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A minority comment on perceived bias or negativity around platform competition.
Listeners praise technical depth and practical testing.
Some critiques note occasional condescension or hot takes during panel discussions.
Positive feedback highlights accessible expert insights for professionals and enthusiasts.
Many enjoy the engine and GPU deep-dives across episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#87
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#39
United Kingdom/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#76
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#43
Australia/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#76
Germany/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#122
Italy/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

DF Direct Q+A: Sony Tightens Grip on Exclusivity, FSR 4 on Xbox? What Is The Immense Engine?
Q: What are your expectations for the Immense Engine and its potential impact on gaming if it succeeds?
The panel is cautiously optimistic, emphasizing the need for developer ease-of-use, strong performance, and differentiated features from Unreal; success would hinge on funding, EU compliance considerations, and how the engine competes in a crowded market.
DF Direct Q+A: Sony Tightens Grip on Exclusivity, FSR 4 on Xbox? What Is The Immense Engine?
Q: With Linux support improving on jailbroken PS5s, could PS5 become a viable Steam Machine alternative in the coming years?
The hosts acknowledge the cool factor and openness but feel that true viability depends on storage, RAM, and overall system performance; at present, PS5's unified memory and fixed storage make it unlikely to supplant dedicated Steam Machines, though a subset of enthusiasts may experiment.
DF Direct Q+A: Do We Actually Need Next-Gen Graphics? Can Switch 2 Last 6-7 Years? Switch 2 OLED?
Q: Is fancy hair and glowy signs really worth $2,000 more?
The panel suggests that while some features look impressive in isolation, the value of high-end graphics depends on the game and the user's willingness to pay for a smoother, more fluid experience; for many, the upgrade is about long-term investment and platform scalability rather than a guaranteed transformative difference in every title.
DF Direct Q+A: Is Project Helix A Console Or PC? Will Non-RT Modes Get Worse Over Time? Neo Geo AES+
Q: What's your take on the ongoing rasterization vs ray tracing debate in next-gen games?
Ray tracing provides lighting fidelity and temporal stability, but there are trade-offs in noise and performance; many studios still rely on rasterization fallbacks to broaden hardware support. The best path is a balanced approach that preserves visual quality without forcing every device to run only RT-based rendering.
DF Direct Q+A: Is Project Helix A Console Or PC? Will Non-RT Modes Get Worse Over Time? Neo Geo AES+
Q: When does a PC become a console, and vice versa, in your view?
In practice it comes down to freedom to install software and use the hardware in a relatively uncurated way. If you can freely install Windows, Linux, or other PC software and run it without a locked-down store or jailbreaking, that leans toward PC; if you're locked to a curated ecosystem with limited software installation, that leans toward console.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

What is Digital Foundry Direct Weekly about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A tech-forward conversation focused on graphics, hardware, and performance across consoles and PC. Episodes often examine real-time rendering tech (path tracing, upscaling, ray tracing), game engines, platform strategies, and upcoming hardware like Switch 2 or PS6. Hosts provide deep dives, hands-on testing, and industry context, with lively debates about cost, performance, and compatibility. The show frequently highlights practical hardware analysis, developer tooling, and the evolving balance between traditional consoles and PC ecosystems, making it a prime resource for engineers, designers, and tech enthusiasts seeking granular insights beyond standard game reviews.

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1. Next-Gen Console Watch
2. Unlocked
3. Broken Silicon
4. Beyond
5. The Nerd Nest - A Video Game Podcast

How many episodes of Digital Foundry Direct Weekly are there?

Digital Foundry Direct Weekly launched 5 years ago and published 321 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Digital Foundry Direct Weekly?

Recent guests on Digital Foundry Direct Weekly include:

1. Tom Morgan
2. Will Judd
3. John Lindemann
4. John Linnewin
5. Mark Triforce-Dettelson
6. Oliver McKenzie
7. Thomas Morgan
8. Mark Cerny

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