PS5’s PSSR 2 vs NVIDIA DLSS 5: Upscaling Tech Showdown & Divisive Reactions
Today brought significant developments in game upscaling technology, though the responses couldn’t have been more different. Sony officially launched the updated PSSR 2 for PS5 Pro consoles, while NVIDIA offered a first look at DLSS 5, sparking a surprisingly contentious debate among gamers.
PS5 Pro’s PSSR 2: A Smooth Upgrade
The release of PSSR 2 addresses issues present in the first version of Sony’s machine learning upscaling technique, specifically film grain-like artifacts. Testing by Digital Foundry indicates the update delivers improved upscaling quality, surpassing AMD’s FSR4 but still falling slightly short of NVIDIA’s DLSS 4.5 on current-generation PC graphics cards. The upgrade is available now, and a growing list of titles are already benefitting.
A wide range of recently released and upcoming games have been updated to support PSSR 2, including “Silent Hill 2,” “Silent Hill f,” “Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” “Control,” “Alan Wake 2,” “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II,” “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth,” “Nioh 3,” “Rise of the Ronin,” “Monster Hunter Wilds” and “Dragon’s Dogma 2.” Updates for “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and “Cyberpunk 2077” are slated for release in the coming weeks. An optional system toggle allows PSSR 2 to be applied to existing PSSR-supported games, though a full update is required to unlock its full potential. Newer titles, like “Crimson Desert,” will ship with the technology standard. “Resident Evil Requiem” was the first game to launch utilizing the new tech, and early reception has been overwhelmingly positive, even contributing to a reported surge in PS5 Pro sales.
NVIDIA’s DLSS 5: A Divisive Leap Forward
Hours after the PSSR 2 launch, NVIDIA unveiled DLSS 5, its next-generation upscaling technology. However, the reveal has been met with a far more mixed reaction, reminiscent of the initial response to Frame Generation in 2022. The core of the change lies in NVIDIA’s implementation of ‘neural rendering’ to influence a game’s lighting model, significantly altering the visual aesthetic.
A 70-second video showcasing the differences in games like “Starfield,” “Resident Evil Requiem,” and “Hogwarts Legacy” accompanied the announcement. In a blog post, NVIDIA claims the technology represents “the most significant breakthrough in computer graphics since the debut of real-time ray tracing in 2018,” blending hand-crafted rendering with generative AI to achieve “photoreal computer graphics previously only achieved in Hollywood visual effects.” The company anticipates the first graphics cards capable of running DLSS 5 will be available this fall.
The online response has been sharply divided. Concerns center around the increased contrast, altered facial textures, and comparisons to generative AI and image filters. Some critics argue the technology interferes with a game’s intended art direction. However, defenses of the technology have emerged, such as a detailed explanation from Ryan Shrout outlining how the technology functions and emphasizing that developers and artists retain full control over its implementation. The debate continues, with gamers encouraged to judge the results for themselves.
The Upscaling Landscape: A Tale of Two Approaches
The contrasting receptions to PSSR 2 and DLSS 5 highlight different philosophies in upscaling technology. Sony’s approach appears focused on refinement and improvement, addressing existing issues and delivering a more polished experience within established visual parameters. NVIDIA, is pushing boundaries with neural rendering, aiming for a dramatic leap in visual fidelity, even if it means potentially altering the artistic intent of a game.
Both technologies aim to enhance visual quality and performance, but their execution and the resulting player response demonstrate the delicate balance between technological advancement and artistic vision. The success of each will likely depend on how effectively developers integrate them into their games and how receptive players are to the resulting changes.
What’s on the Horizon for Upscaling Tech?
The release of DLSS 5 signals NVIDIA’s continued investment in AI-powered graphics solutions. While the initial reaction has been mixed, the company’s track record suggests they will continue to refine the technology based on feedback and developer input. The first DLSS 5-compatible cards are expected to arrive this fall, and it will be interesting to see how developers utilize the new capabilities in upcoming titles.
For Sony, the focus will likely be on expanding PSSR 2 support to more games and further optimizing its performance on the PS5 Pro. The positive reception to the update suggests a strong demand for improved visual fidelity on the console, and Sony is well-positioned to capitalize on that demand. The ongoing evolution of upscaling technology promises to deliver increasingly immersive and visually stunning gaming experiences in the years to come.