Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Director Advocates for DLSS 5 to Enhance Artistic Vision
DLSS 5 is set to deliver a significant photorealistic enhancement to the character lighting model in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, according to Daniel Vávra, the former creative director at Warhorse Studios. Following its controversial reveal in March 2026, Nvidia’s AI-powered real-time neural rendering model faced criticism for its “uncanny valley” effect, which appeared to alter character faces. With the recent leak of DLSS 5, the internet is buzzing with videos, images, and fresh takes on the technology, including insights shared by Vávra on social media.
Vávra emphasizes that the leaked version of DLSS 5 is not what Nvidia initially showcased. He clarifies that it does not change the geometry of character models or their facial structures. Instead, it enhances existing normal maps to produce superior skin textures and facial details compared to the game’s original lighting model.
He points out that his comparisons indicate DLSS 5 does not modify the character’s geometry but offers more than just a dehaze effect. The real improvement lies in ambient occlusion, a shading technique that accurately calculates shadows based on an object’s surroundings. Vávra argues that DLSS 5 enhances the shadows cast by elements like helmets and buckles.
While Vávra is currently not affiliated with any company or game, his comments have ignited intense discussions about DLSS 5. Some users are impressed by his findings, while others remain skeptical, particularly since he used screenshots for his analysis, whereas some critics have shared videos. Concerns have been raised that DLSS 5’s lighting effects might be based on assumptions rather than actual data, leading to “fake” details that don’t align with realistic shadows.
Critics also highlight that developers may lack control over the AI enhancements, which could lead to issues. There are fears that reliance on DLSS 5 might encourage developers to release unfinished products or those that lack significant human input.
One user commented that DLSS 5 could follow a similar path to Unreal Engine 5, where only a few studios fully utilize the technology, while many others might take shortcuts. They predict that DLSS 5 will likely be used for subpar results more often than not.
In a follow-up, Vávra dismissed claims that the effects of DLSS 5 are “AI slop,” asserting that it brings Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 closer to the original artistic vision. He further defended the use of AI in game development, stating that virtually every developer he has spoken to in the past year relies on AI to be productive. He expressed a desire for efficiency, noting that he spent seven years on a single game and would have preferred to create multiple titles in that time.
In response to ongoing DLSS 5 videos that still exhibit the uncanny valley effect, Vávra cautioned against believing the misleading content circulating online. While there is no concrete evidence that these videos are fabricated, the settings used by DLSS 5 testers could significantly influence the perceived realism. Whether this realism is accurate or even desirable is likely to remain a debated topic until DLSS 5 officially launches.
