DF Direct Weekly: Doom Eternal, AMD Ryzen 4700S & Sony Acquisitions

Weekly Technology News and Gaming Updates

This week, the team explores a variety of critical developments in hardware, software, and industry consolidation. The discussion focuses on the recent expansion of graphical capabilities in major titles and the strategic shifts within the industry.

Doom Eternal Technical Deep Dive

• The team analyzes the Doom Eternal next-gen patch, which introduces 120 Hz support and ray tracing on consoles.
• The implementation is noted for its high performance, even when targeting high resolutions, with the team praising the developers for their technical commitment.
• The integration of DLSS on the PC version is highlighted as a key driver for the game's excellent scalability.

New Hardware: AMD Ryzen 4700S

• A surprise appearance by the AMD Ryzen 4700S is discussed; a part believed to be based on console APU architecture with the graphics component disabled.
• The team expresses interest in testing this board as a dedicated CPU solution, noting its unique memory constraints and potential for small form-factor builds.

Industry Consolidation News

• The podcast touches upon the recent Sony acquisition spree, specifically the additions of Housemarque and Nixxes.
• The team considers the acquisition of Nixxes as a brilliant move for Sony's PC port strategy, given the studio's technical prowess.

• "Sony's gain is very, very much Square Enix's loss because they're kind of like the unsung heroes for Square Enix, in my opinion."

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster UI

• Controversy surrounding the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster UI is addressed, with harsh criticism directed at inconsistent font rendering and dialogue box resolutions.
• The team hopes that the developer will listen to community feedback and refine these elements to better respect the original source material.

Content and Community

• Upcoming content includes a DF Retro episode covering the US launch of the PlayStation 1 and the Super Star Wars trilogy.
• The team emphasizes the value of their Patreon program, which allows them to produce in-depth technical content and maintain a high level of community interaction.