Daily Briefing: Friday 17th September

Digital Foundry say the new PS5 model is no better or worse than the launch model

Following varying reports that the newly-released PS5 model was both superior and inferior to the launch model, a new report by Digital Foundry appears to set things right. In short, it's about the same. Richard Leadbetter writes that, while changes have been made regarding the internal components of the new model, they're "reassuringly non-controversial" and result in "minimal difference" between the two models.

• This rather definitive report comes following a notable amount of controversy surrounding this new model. Sony's decision to reduce the size of the console's cooling system lead many observers to believe this new model was slightly worse than the launch one. A series of temperature tests showed higher exhaust temperatures which people interpreted in various messy ways. But, it now looks like the two consoles are essentially the same.

Blizzard to show off Overwatch 2 next week

Blizzard recently announced, somewhat surprisingly, that they'll be showing off a bit more Overwatch 2 next week. The announcement follows the rather bizarre confirmation that the 2022 Overwatch League season will be played using an early build of Overwatch 2, so it looks like Blizzard will need to make sure we all actually know some stuff about the sequel before everything kicks off.

• So, during the pre-show and halftime events at the 2021 Overwatch League Grand Finals on September 24th, devs will be showing off things like the character updates coming for Bastion and Sombra, as well as an examination into how Bastion's revamped appearance factors into the overall "design philosophy" of the game. The night will finish with an Overwatch 2 exhibition match played by pro players, so it should be worth a watch at least.

Ex-Bungie composer hit with chunky legal bill

Marty O'Donnell, veteran composer of both the Halo and Destiny franchises, has been ordered to pay Bungie tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees after being found in contempt of court. After being fired from Bungie way back in 2014, an event O'Donnell refers to as "Activision meddling", he was ordered to return all assets related to Destiny and its associated concept works. He was also banned from sharing or performing music related to those works.

• Despite this, O'Donnell began sharing ideas, variations, and full compositions on YouTube and Bandcamp back in 2019, where users could actually donate money in response. Bungie filed contempt of court papers against O'Donnell in April, alleging that O'Donnell's "very possession of such materials proves he did not comply with the order to return 'all material' to Bungie." O'Donnell was ordered by the court to pull the music from online, issue a message about it, and ask anyone who had downloaded a copy to destroy it. He was also ordered to pay Bungie's legal fees plus any income received as a result of the music, which looks to be in and around $100,000. This was actually sorted over the summer but results only just became public.