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Artwork for Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

Digital Foundry
Nintendo Switch 2
Xbox
Ray Tracing
Playstation 5
Cyberpunk 2077
NVIDIA
Playstation 5 Pro
DLSS
Nintendo
Microsoft
Grand Theft Auto 6
Switch 2
Unreal Engine 5
Xbox Series X
Star Wars Outlaws
Steam Deck
AMD
Playstation
Sony
Digital Foundry

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 weeklyEpisodes341Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Tech NewsNewsLeisure

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Artwork for Digital Foundry Direct Weekly

Latest Episodes

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? Wi... more

YouTube

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 Evolve... more

YouTube

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 i... more

YouTube

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 Dog... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

John Lennon
Guest on DF Direct Q&A
Digital Foundry
Episode: DF Direct Q+A: The Big "$1000 Next-Gen Console" Debate + Is GTA 6 Over-Hyped?
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?

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
  • Stop the AI service ads

    Love the show, but low score will remain until you stop playing ads for stupid AI services.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NoThxBro
    United States2 months ago
  • “Good stuff”

    like he always says 😂

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rosbeee
    France3 months 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 States10 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

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
#90
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#39
United Kingdom/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#119
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#66
Australia/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#97
Italy/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#190
Germany/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

DF Direct Q+A: How Does The Xbox Reset Impact Project Helix?
Q: Is it realistic to expect the next Xbox to retain an optional disk drive, and how would that affect the disk-to-digital transition?
An optional disk drive remains plausible but uncertain; the Disk-to-Digital program could justify a minimal or vestigial drive, while the broader shift remains digital-first, with entitlements preserved across generations if the strategy succeeds.
DF Direct Q+A: How Does The Xbox Reset Impact Project Helix?
Q: Was Game Pass a failure, and can its strategy sway Sony by canceling PlayStation Plus?
The consensus is that Game Pass is not a failure yet, with a substantial subscriber base; however, swaying Sony politically or financially is unlikely, though coordinated consumer action could pressure platforms in the long term.
DF Direct Q+A: How Does The Xbox Reset Impact Project Helix?
Q: From Will Cooling, why would Microsoft build a console that allows access to Steam and other third-party stores if they profit from licenses from third-party games?
The panel suggests that Helix's core aim was to evolve Xbox into a PC-forward platform, but management shifts are casting doubt on that path; the direction now seems to hinge on affordability and strategic control, potentially favoring a more console-like approach with selective openness rather than a fully open PC model.
DF Direct Q+A: Creation Engine 3 in Elder Scrolls 6/Fallout 5, Is Doom THE Great American Videogame?
Q: What do you make of the PS6 patent about vapor chambers versus liquid metal for cooling and potential dynamic boost clocks?
Patents are not guarantees; it could be a broad concept that may coexist with liquid metal. Sony could still ship a similar cooling approach or tweak clocks, and any change would depend on power/headroom, thermals, and long-term reliability rather than a guaranteed shift away from liquid metal.
DF Direct Q+A: Creation Engine 3 in Elder Scrolls 6/Fallout 5, Is Doom THE Great American Videogame?
Q: This is Scud asking about Bethesda and Creation Engine 3: do you think they can remove loading screens and achieve seamless transitions across interiors and exteriors?
We think scalability and streaming will be central; removal of all segmentation might not be essential, but clever loading, pre-canned animations, and door-based streaming could create a convincing illusion of seamless space while preserving some segmentation for performance, especially across a wide hardware range.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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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Which podcasts are similar to Digital Foundry Direct Weekly?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Digital Foundry Direct Weekly:

1. Broken Silicon
2. Friends Per Second
3. The Nerd Nest - A Video Game Podcast
4. Unlocked
5. SpawnCast

How many episodes of Digital Foundry Direct Weekly are there?

Digital Foundry Direct Weekly launched 5 years ago and published 341 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. John Lennon
2. Tom Morgan
3. Will Judd
4. John Lindemann
5. John Linnewin
6. Mark Triforce-Dettelson
7. Oliver McKenzie
8. Thomas Morgan

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