Digital Foundry Direct: Performance, Tech, and News
Final Fantasy XVI Performance Analysis
The Performance Mode Struggle
- The team discusses Final Fantasy XVI, noting that the performance mode suffers from unsteady frame rates, often dipping into lower resolutions (down to 720p).
- John hypothesizes that the game was fundamentally built as a 30 FPS experience, with the 60 FPS performance mode added late in development, which is why it struggles to maintain stability.
- The use of older upscaling techniques like FSR 1 is criticized for its negative impact on image quality when the base resolution is low.
Upscaling Tech & Developer Trends
Is FSR 2 Being Misused?
"I don't think [AMD] anticipated people trying to upscale 720p or below to 4K. That's a huge ask."
* The discussion shifts to the broader trend of dynamic resolution scaling (DRS) and FSR 2 becoming a "crutch" in current-gen development.
* Tom emphasizes that high-quality results require a stable baseline resolution; relying on upscalers at low input counts leads to poor visual reconstruction.
Nintendo Direct Highlights
Classic Returns
• The hosts express excitement over Super Mario Bros. Wonder, praising its stylistic evolution, handcrafted animation, and move away from the clinical look of the New Super Mario Bros. series.
• Other notable titles include the Super Mario RPG remake, which is described as a faithful adaptation of the original with modern visuals, and the upcoming Arkham Trilogy port for the Switch.
Industry Business & Hardware
Console Price Increases
- The episode touches on the recent price hikes for the Xbox Series X and Game Pass, highlighting the lack of transparency from manufacturers regarding why these increases are occurring mid-generation.
- A debate ensues regarding the potential existence of a "PS5 Pro" and whether the market would support a $1,000 premium console segment.