Nvidia has announced DLSS 5, the next generation of its image enhancement technology, which it claims is \u201cthe most significant breakthrough in computer graphics since the debut of real-time ray tracing\u201d.<\/p>\n
Whereas previous iterations of DLSS used AI technology to upscale game resolution or improve frame rates, DLSS 5 uses an AI model to alter the visuals of supported games with what Nvidia<\/a> calls \u201cphotoreal lighting and materials\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cDLSS 5 takes a game\u2019s color and motion vectors for each frame as input, and uses an AI model to infuse the scene with photoreal lighting and materials that are anchored to source 3D content and consistent from frame to frame,\u201d the company said in an announcement on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cBridging the divide between rendering and reality, DLSS 5 empowers game developers to deliver a new level of photoreal computer graphics previously only achieved in Hollywood visual effects.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n DLSS 5 will arrive this fall. In an announcement video, the tech is shown drastically altering the appearance of characters and environments in games such as Resident Evil<\/a> Requiem, Starfield<\/a>, and Assassin\u2019s Creed Shadows<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Nvidia, developers will be able to tune \u201cintensity, color, and masking to determine where and how enhancements are applied to maintain the game\u2019s unique aesthetic\u201d.<\/p>\n However, the DLSS 5 announcement has still been met with significant criticism on social media from games industry professionals, partly due to how it drastically alters the original art direction of its supported games.<\/p>\n weird that this impressive lighting tech also randomly turns everyone into yassified, looks-maxed freaks. it’s like all this technology can’t help itself but sexualize everything it touches. but like, through the lens of teenage boys.www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4Zlw…<\/p>\n \u2014 dannyodwyer (@dannyodwyer.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-03-16T20:15:46.805Z<\/a><\/p>\n Clearly this is a massive glow-up for environments. The character stuff is uncanny & weird tho, & it feels like artistic expression risks being squeezed out. I wonder how much devs can get in and tweak the model to their artistic intent. Wish I’d been in these briefs to ask a few questions!<\/p>\n \u2014 Alex Donaldson (@apzonerunner.com)<\/a> 2026-03-16T19:02:28.445Z<\/a><\/p>\n Steve Karolewics, a rendering engineer at Respawn<\/a>, wrote: \u201cDLSS 5 looks like an overbearing contrast, sharpness, and airbrush filter. Remarkably different frames with the rationale of photo-real lighting? Nah, I think I\u2019ll stick with the original artistic intent.\u201d<\/p>\n Concept artist Jeff Talbot<\/a> added: \u201cThis is NOT the direction games should be going in. In every shot the art direction was taken away for the senseless addition of \u2018details\u2019. Each DLSS 5 shot looked worse and had less character than the original. This is just a garbage AI Filter. Lets not do this shit.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Nvidia, DLSS 5 will be supported by publishers including Bethesda, Capcom<\/a>, NetEase<\/a>, NCSOFT<\/a>, S-GAME<\/a>, Tencent<\/a>, Ubisoft<\/a>, and Warner Bros. Games<\/a>.<\/p>\n Update – Bethesda responds16th Mar 2026 \/ 10:43 pm<\/p>\n Bethesda Softworks<\/a> has released a statement claiming that its art teams will be \u201cfurther adjusting\u201d the final effect of DLSS 5 on Starfield.<\/p>\n Appreciate your excitement and analysis of the new DLSS 5 lighting here. This is a very early look, and our art teams will be further adjusting the lighting and final effect to look the way we think works best for each game. This will all be under our artists\u2019 control, and\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) March 16, 2026<\/a>