Switch OLED, Dark Souls 3 FPS Boost, and Ubisoft Live Service
The Switch OLED Reveal
The episode kicks off with a discussion on the recently revealed Nintendo Switch OLED. The team debunks the idea that the hardware's "lack of ambition" was caused by pandemic-related supply constraints. Instead, the consensus is that the model is a calculated, mid-generation product refresh.
• The unit is internally identical to previous models, with no new system calls for developers to identify the hardware.
• The team discusses the potential for a hypothetical "Super Switch" capable of DLSS to bridge the power gap without excessive heat or battery drain.
• There is notable disappointment that the new model lacks HDR support, which the hosts feel would have been a more transformative upgrade than the screen size increase alone.
Dark Souls 3 FPS Boost
Next, the team analyzes the surprisingly complex FPS Boost implementation for Dark Souls 3 on Xbox Series X|S consoles.
• Unlike standard system-level boosts, this update required an executable patch, raising questions about why resolution was not also increased.
• The panel discusses the trade-offs between doubling frame rates and bumping resolutions, noting the immense potential of the Series X as demonstrated in internal Microsoft technical demos.
Ubisoft & Live Service Models
There is a heated debate regarding reports that Assassin's Creed is shifting toward a "live service" platform.
"I am no longer the target audience. I used to enjoy these games, but Assassin's Creed today is not what the series was."
• John Linneman expresses frustration with the current open-world formula, criticizing the move toward bloated, system-driven content that lacks the focus of earlier entries.
• The team explores the "behind-the-scenes" feel of modern massive games, where systems become tedious, contrasting them with more expertly crafted, smaller-scale worlds like those found in the Souls series.
Additional Topics
• TIE Fighter Total Conversion: The team celebrates the massive modding effort to bring the classic LucasArts simulator to a modern engine, keeping the original spirit of the 1999 X-Wing Alliance engine alive.
• Speedrunning: A deep dive into the significance of Games Done Quick and the technical precision of modern speedrunning communities.
• Rockstar & GTA 6: Speculation on the future of the Grand Theft Auto franchise and the technical challenges of creating "evolving" game maps.