
Ray-Traced Global Illumination: A Sneak Peek into GTA VI?
The recent release of the Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Edition has sparked discussions regarding its innovative use of ray-traced global illumination (RTGI)—a feature that some speculate might signal advancements headed to Grand Theft Auto VI.
Digital Foundry’s Insightful Analysis
Today, tech analysts at Digital Foundry provided an in-depth review of the Enhanced Edition, comparing its performance and features to those of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions. One standout aspect is the game’s comprehensive application of ray-traced global illumination, a technology not commonly executed to this extent in gaming. Typically, developers implement such features in a restricted manner, as seen in titles like Dying Light 2 or The Witcher 3, which experience limitations and potential visual artifacts due to their partial implementations.
A Leap Forward in Visual Fidelity
In contrast, the Enhanced Edition demonstrates RTGI capabilities on a per-pixel basis, providing coherent bounce lighting driven by various light sources. This complexity requires substantial effort in development, marking a significant technological step forward for Rockstar Games.
Moreover, similar technology is prominently showcased in the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer, reinforcing the idea that the features in the Enhanced Edition may herald what players can expect from the upcoming installment, set to launch later this year.
Performance Expectations on Base Consoles
If the Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Edition’s RTGI technology is carried over into the next franchise entry, Digital Foundry anticipates that performance metrics could reflect outcomes seen on base consoles with this release. Although the RTGI is optimized well for GPUs, the CPU demands are significant. For instance, a Ryzen 5 3600 processor—a benchmark similar to the current generation base consoles—struggles to maintain a steady 60 FPS at 1440p resolution while utilizing NVIDIA DLSS in Quality mode. This revelation, paired with the fact that the reveal trailer runs at 30 FPS, points toward a likely frame rate cap of 30 FPS on base consoles for Grand Theft Auto VI.
More Than Just RTGI
It’s important to note that ray-traced global illumination is merely one of numerous enhancements present in the Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Edition. As Rockstar continues to push graphical boundaries, fans eagerly anticipate the full spectrum of innovations set to appear in Grand Theft Auto VI.
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