Bethesda Assures DLSS 5 Character Designs Are Artistically Managed, Yet Players Remain Unimpressed

Yesterday, Nvidia introduced DLSS 5, a new AI-driven visual upscaling technology that has drawn a wave of criticism online. The backlash has prompted both Nvidia and Bethesda to engage in damage control, with Bethesda emphasizing that the technology is “totally optional” and under the control of their artists.

Bethesda’s 2023 action RPG, Starfield, was prominently featured in Nvidia and Digital Foundry’s DLSS 5 showcase, alongside revamped characters from Resident Evil Requiem. This likely explains why the Bethesda Game Studios X account felt compelled to respond to the negative feedback on Digital Foundry’s tweet, especially after Nvidia shared a clip of Todd Howard enthusiastically endorsing DLSS 5.

“Appreciate your excitement and analysis of the new DLSS 5 lighting here,” Bethesda Game Studios replied. “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’ control, and totally optional for players.”

However, this response did little to calm the storm. Many users were quick to express their dissatisfaction, with comments like, “Nah, forget your excitement and this mess,” and “You know another way to improve your games? Actually letting your artists and developers do their jobs instead of relying on AI.”

Nvidia is also addressing the criticism, with a comment on their official DLSS 5 announcement video reiterating Bethesda’s stance. They highlighted that game developers retain “artistic control” over how DLSS 5 is implemented, ensuring that the unique aesthetic of each game is preserved. “Important to note with this technology advance – game developers have full, detailed artistic control over DLSS 5’s effects to ensure they maintain their game’s unique aesthetic. The SDK includes things like intensity, color grading, and masking off areas where the effect shouldn’t be applied. It’s not a filter – DLSS 5 inputs the game’s color and motion vectors for each frame into the model, anchoring the output in the source 3D content.”

Capcom has yet to weigh in on the situation, but given the criticism directed at Resident Evil Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi for showcasing images that appeared to be AI-generated during the DLC announcement last week, it’s unclear if they’re concerned. In fact, that “Forbidden Requiem” image he presented around the one-minute mark does seem like it could have been processed through a DLSS 5 filter…