DF Direct Weekly #149: Xbox Multi-Plat Meltdown, Helldivers 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hands-On

The week in gaming news was dominated by Xbox Multi-Platform debate, outrage and meltdowns - and we couldn't quite believe what we were seeing. John, Rich and Alex share their views before moving to other topics: we go hands-on with Helldivers 2, check out the FF7 Rebirth demo and John shares his excitement over Penny's Big Breakaway. Meanwhile, DF Supporters strike gold once again with a range of questions and discussion points.

Find DF Direct Weekly as a podcast on your favourite podcast streaming service.

0:00:00 Introduction
0:00:52 News 01: Is Microsoft embracing multiplatform gaming?
0:43:52 News 02: Hands-on with Helldivers 2
0:54:41 News 03: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth impressions!
1:05:03 News 04: Penny’s Big Breakaway preview
1:11:42 Supporter Q1: What’s the minimum advisable frame-rate when using frame gen with a controller?
1:17:50 Supporter Q2: Is Nvidia purposefully limiting frame gen to the RTX 4000 series to increase sales?
1:27:18 Supporter Q3: Given that the Series S is the best-selling current-gen Xbox, should we consider it the baseline experience this gen?
1:34:14 Supporter Q4: Has the use of FSR been good or bad for console gaming?
1:43:14 Supporter Q5: Why doesn’t AMD often pioneer new graphics techniques like Nvidia?
1:51:44 Supporter Q6: Can John recommend any 3D Sonic titles?

[nateschumacher]

My favorite part was John responding to Richard with his fantasy about Phil announcing a renewed focus on physical media 😂

[sachoslks]

I appreciate Richard pushing back during the Xbox 3rd party discussion, he brought up points that i haven't seen discussed on most podcasts that i've watched. Most seem to have only a superficial take on the matter.

[DaRkLoRd-rcyu]

Remember when resident evil 4 was a GameCube exclusive

[akshithnair]

Richard Leadgood, Richard Leadbetter, Richard Leadbest

[djsuth]

I think Rich is the only one who understands the complexity of the Xbox situation. If MS get the messaging wrong in the upcoming statement, millions could potentially abandon Xbox in favour of more "secure" platforms where their digital libraries aren't at risk.

[mkbp]

Game pass is great but it makes no sense for a lot of us who play an hour or two at most 5 days a week and can't even complete one game in a month.

edit- I don't preorder games and rarely pay full price. My recent full price purchases were elden ring and ac6 games that i was 100% sure I'd like.

[mkiller]

The "deal with it" guy is really the destroyer of worlds, he single handedly brought down the Xbox brand

[Mr.PoPo]

23 seconds, it took 23 seconds for this incredible reaction, usually reserved for shaming bad game design or tech utilization.
0:23

[gamergod]

the irony of framegen is that it works best with either high framerates or very slow movements, both situations where it provides the least benefit.

[hudson]

John is so cool over the rumours even tho there's a fire outside his window

[Crackalacking_Z]

Bringing up Milo killed me, straight for the throat XD

[tonygeddes]

I used to be a big fan of Phil Spencer, but I’m finding it more and more difficult to defend him. He’s had almost infinite resources and has been able to buy many excellent studios. Enormous sums of money. By now they should be looking at releasing at least 3 AAA titles a year. If I was Bill Gates I’d be mightily pissed off with how Xbox has fared. Sony have had far less resources and have dominated. Kudos to them.

[chriscollins]

Please do a full video on Helldrivers 2 want to understand what's going on behind the scenes

[TerraExcessum]

Please don't start using that 'quadruple A' title.

[Owlero]

I can safely say this is the hardest I've ever seen Rich laugh 1:34:20

[imposiblebeat]

Alex is so smart and knowledgeable about technical minutiae, but completely ignorant about the console business model and what it entails. I don’t use the term ignorant in a derogatory way at all, it’s just very fascinating.

[Blietzflame]

People forget that Sony and Xbox’s business isn’t box sales it’s the 30% cut from each purchase on said box. So a box is still important for that reason. Also the fact that most purchases happen on consoles. Pc players just don’t buy full priced games statistically even well optimized ones like RE 4 Remake

[arcverson]

I'm confused, John basically said something like "Sony haven't been doing anything special this gen, it's the worst they ever been" like have you seen GOW Ragnarok, GT7, HFW, Returnal, R&C Rift Apart, Astro Playroom, Helldivers 2? I'd say it's the best they ever were in terms of 1st party output...

[paprikastaude]

Gaming discourse would improve so much if people dedicated to a single platform holder above the age of 18 were muted on the internet. These Xbox meltdowns were insane. But let's not pretend the same thing didn't happen when Nintendo announced their mobile games or Playstation its PC ports. Or when something on PC doesn't come to Steam.

[CassidyListon]

Jon Linneman looks like he's been pulling all-nighters in the thumbnail.