Thanks to Alienware for sponsoring DF Direct. To learn more about the Alienware AREA-51 Gaming Desktop, check out: http://aw.gg/digitalfoundry The hardware situation grows more bleak by the week, so where does this leave next generation consoles? If they're too expensive, will developers target them over current-gen hardware? Is enhanced RT and path tracing enough to make people upgrade? Will there be actual next-gen exclusives? Would it make more sense to buy a higher-end PC now? All this and more is discussed in the latest show. Examine the DF Website: https://digitalfoundry.net Go here to check out DF merch! https://store.digitalfoundry.net Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribe 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Sponsored by Alienware 02:18 Supporter Q1: Why should people want next-gen consoles? 20:30 Supporter Q2: Will people hold on to PS5 and Series X to play their disc games? 30:20 Supporter Q3: Should we just buy expensive PCs now, in lieu of next-gen consoles? 41:50 Supporter Q4: Does Xbox BC on PC threaten Steam? 48:18 Supporter Q5: Will we see future Xbox ports for Switch 2?
ADVERTISEMENT
No warm welcome of sorts?
I'm probably in the minority, but with no more physical option in the future, I'm content with this being my last gaming generation. I consider myself an enthusiast, but I am tired of the direction that things are taking.
I barely know anyone who can afford a current gen console let alone £1000 for a new gen
Glad there's no warm welcome. Was getting a bit too friendly in here.
Watching game consoles turn into digital only pachinko machines sure is unsettling.
Man, I’m an enthusiast and I’m not even sold on the next generation.
I’m owned consoles since NES and Gameboy, but if this current trajectory continues, the PS5 will be my last. I’ve absolutely no desire to be forced into a digital corner, let alone one I have to pay just for the privilege of playing games online. No more. I hope the industry gets the hard reset it needs.
I feel like there are so many games released nowadays, people shouldn't have to rush out and buy the newest latest tech. Especially since this generation PS5 and Xbox series x/s feel a streaming box, you can't do anything without the server
People that dont really game, rarely want to spend 300 400 for a console. Noone but the biggest gamers will buy a 1000 console
i had my 4790k & 980ti 16gb ram for 10 years, just upgraded to a 9800x3d and rtx5080 w/ 64gb ram in early 2025 before prices went wild. I generally only upgrade when getting 4x the previous performance across the board, or greater. thats my general 10 year plan with PCs
Not to mention not owning anything you buy, since all digital purchases are for a license to use rather than own.
12:59 They are 60, but outside of the Pro, that comes with serious compromises. Sub 1080p resolution with reduced graphics and FSR2 upscaling is not a great look on a 4K screen.
There is no debate. The next consoles are going to be 1k. Barely any better than the current console and with no games
Id be more than happy if we just stay with the current hardware for many years to come and let the focus be on churning out quality games. Games, half the length but high quality. Cheaper to buy and speeding up development time. There are too many huge open worlds that are never even completed by most people. Gsmeplay needs to regain its crown as king.
"If your podcast co-hosts don't tell you that you've got white spit on your lip, you're not on a podcast—you're surrounded by enemies." 🤣
30:09 If Xbox supports discs either directly or via the Disc2digital idea floating about, that would make me decide. In my opinion, consoles have drives/cartridges, that is one thing that sets them apart from PCs.
If Capcom can pump out so many high quality games this generation, there's really no excuse for other developers. It's all just bad leadership within these bloated corporate monsters.
I don't know the 10 year PC might not be that far fetched. I'm running a 5800x3d with a 4090 wich I got right at the start when it released. It is still to this day a mighty combo and I can run any game on ultra with dlss and even more if FG is enabled. And since the Release cycles for graphics cards seem to be a little longer now it could possibly run for 10 years with medium settings
Well Sony just said that they do not feel the backlash at all in their revenue. 🤬
Been in this hobby for over 30 years, and I've never felt so depressed and regretful about it....