380: DLSS5 Controversy And New Starfield Content

March 20, 2026·37 min·3 clips

NVIDIA's DLSS5 demo gave a Resident Evil 9 character full lips and different eyes, sparking outrage over lost artistic vision.

Host Morgan "Bon Diesel" covers NVIDIA's controversial DLSS 5 demo and new Starfield DLC announcements. He also discusses a potential leadership change at BioWare and other industry news. The episode details NVIDIA's demo, which used AI to upscale graphics in games like Resident Evil 9 and Starfield without developer input. In Resident Evil 9, the technology altered a female protagonist's appearance to resemble a beauty filter, sparking debate about artistic integrity. The Starfield implementation focused more on improving lighting and textures without drastically changing character models. Morgan notes the demo required 250 RTX 5090s to render, making it an early, non-consumer showcase. He explains DLSS technology primarily functions as an upscaler and frame generator, with future versions aiming to insert multiple AI-generated frames between real ones. The discussion shifts to Digital Foundry, which faced criticism for an initially positive video about the DLSS 5 demo before issuing a follow-up response. For Starfield, Bethesda announced the "Terran Armada" story DLC, introducing a new faction that uses robot soldiers and a planet-based "incursion" mechanic. A major free update adds a "cruise" travel mode allowing in-flight activities and random encounters, including potential ship boarding. The update also expands planetary points of interest, adds prefabricated base hubs and a pet, and features a unified storage system. Starfield's PlayStation 5 release is set for April 7th, though modding support remains uncertain. Morgan mentions Gary McKay's unannounced departure as BioWare's General Manager in December 2025, confirmed via LinkedIn, with no replacement yet named. He speculates this could relate to BioWare's reduced size or its pending acquisition. Other topics include Ubisoft ending development at Red Storm Entertainment, laying off 105 staff, and the mixed critical reception for *Crimson Desert*, noted for its lengthy opening. Brief *Mass Effect: Exodus* gameplay footage showed corridor combat with some verticality, leaving Morgan "skeptically curious" about its time-dilation narrative. The most interesting insights include the technical revelation that the controversial DLSS 5 demo was a non-representative prototype requiring immense hardware. Morgan finds the altered Resident Evil 9 character visually "technically" better but ethically problematic, comparing it to an uncanny valley beauty filter. He predicts developers will find the AI tools threatening, humorously referencing a meme about NVIDIA making game development obsolete. The Starfield cruise mode is highlighted as a transformative update, replacing loading screens with active travel and emergent gameplay. The silent departure of BioWare's GM strikes Morgan as unusually secretive for a major EA studio. He personally advocates for Starfield as a clear evolution from *Fallout 4*, despite acknowledging its divisive reception and outdated animations. The tone is conversational and opinionated, blending technical explanation with casual commentary and personal anecdotes. Morgan's style is direct, often punctuating points with his own perspectives on industry reactions and game design. This episode is ideal for listeners interested in deep dives into PC graphics technology, Bethesda game updates, and insider gaming industry shifts. It may not appeal to those seeking highly produced, multi-host discussions or listeners who prefer strictly news-focused reporting without editorializing.

As heard by us

A skeptical gaming news ramble that spends more time on why the hardware drama matters than on the headline itself.

Morgan keeps circling the DLSS 5 NVIDIA demo backlash, and the episode works best when it treats the argument as more than a headline pileup. The Starfield DLC details and the BioWare leadership shakeup speculation give it some useful drift, but the main appeal is the way he…

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Why you'd press play

You want the DLSS 5 controversy and Starfield updates without the PR gloss or hype.

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