Digital Foundry Direct 146: Developer Direct Impressions
Overview of Developer Direct 2024
This episode of Digital Foundry Direct dives deep into the recent Developer Underscore Direct show from Xbox, featuring discussions on the Indiana Jones reveal, Hellblade 2, ARA, and Avowed. The team evaluates the technical prowess and artistic direction of these titles in addition to the industry-wide shift toward digital-only releases.
Key Title Discussions
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
The panel expresses strong enthusiasm for Machine Games' approach to the new Indiana Jones title. Key points include:
• Use of IdTech engine technology with a target of 60 frames per second on consoles.
• The first-person perspective combined with third-person platforming sequences evokes memories of The Chronicles of Riddick.
• The uncanny valley effect regarding Harrison Ford's character model is likely a lighting setup issue rather than an asset capability limitation.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
The team analyzes the technical aspects of Hellblade 2, highlighting its cinematic approach and design constraints.
"I hope this doesn't have the same sort of cliffhanger aspect of The Order because that was actually disappointing."
• The game utilizes a 21:9 aspect ratio likely to leverage performance for higher visual fidelity.
• The team views it as an Unreal Engine 5 showpiece that mirrors the linear, high-fidelity experience of The Order: 1886.
ARA and Avowed
• ARA is praised as an ambitious RTS title, showing Microsoft’s commitment to PC-centric strategy games.
• Avowed is discussed as a return to traditional Obsidian fantasy RPGs, making effective use of Lumen and Nanite for high-quality environmental details.
Industry Trends
The Shift to Digital
The discussion highlights the concerning trend of Xbox moving toward a disc-less future. While the team understands the business logic behind Game Pass and digital distribution, they express frustration over the loss of physical media for long-term game preservation and consumer ownership.