Nvidia’s AI Graphics Tech Surfaces, Inspiring Players to Craft Chilling Creations

Nvidia’s upscaling technology, DLSS 5, is still under wraps for its RTX 50-series GPUs, but some early access files have surfaced in NBA 2K27, prompting gamers to experiment with it. Initial fan uploads suggest that this latest version of DLSS 5 significantly improves upon the previous iteration, which had a tendency to overly beautify every pixel.

However, certain games still struggle with the uncanny valley effect that DLSS 5 can create.

Earlier this year, DLSS 5 faced criticism after Nvidia showcased it in popular titles like Resident Evil Requiem. While Nvidia asserted that DLSS 5 merely enhanced lighting, many players felt it altered character designs to make them more conventionally attractive. In response to these concerns, Nvidia claimed to have the support of game studios, who believed DLSS 5 captured their artistic vision. This backfired when some studios, known for opposing AI use, revealed they were unaware of Nvidia’s plans. The situation worsened when Nvidia’s CEO dismissed critics, stating they were “completely wrong” about DLSS 5.

Now, DLSS 5 has resurfaced in the gaming community, but this time, Nvidia can’t control the narrative. Players have been testing the tech in titles like The Last of Us Part 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

In certain scenarios, DLSS 5 shows promise. For instance, lush environments in TLOU 2 appear sharper and more vibrant with the filter applied, as demonstrated in a comparison video.

Yet, it still struggles with rendering faces and skin textures. Characters can end up looking oddly shiny or overly polished, reminiscent of a TikTok filter gone wrong. In Skyrim, for example, the characters seem as if they were designed by a beauty influencer.

When applied to CJ in San Andreas, the results are arguably more “realistic,” but the character almost resembles a different person entirely.

One YouTube commenter noted, “If only the training wasn’t based on professional HDR edited photos and instead used more natural images, it would look less weird and unnatural. They always appear so high contrast and lit with a fake blue sky light.”

Another chimed in, “It’s like those Instagram vids but playable lol.”

To be fair, what players are currently testing is an unfinished version not intended for public use. Nvidia may refine DLSS 5 before its official release. However, by then, its reputation as an overly polished AI tool might be difficult to change.

Nvidia aimed for DLSS 5 to be a revolutionary leap in gaming graphics, but the online community has turned it into a source of humor.