Nvidia’s DLSS 5: A Controversial Take on Motion Smoothing in Gaming
Nvidia recently unveiled its latest upscaling technology, DLSS 5, which it claims is “the most significant breakthrough in computer graphics since real-time ray tracing made its debut in 2018.” While that sounds impressive, the reality is a bit different. Nvidia asserts that this tech “infuses pixels with photoreal lighting and materials,” but the initial reactions suggest it’s more of a mixed bag. For instance, the protagonist of Resident Evil Requiem, Grace, ended up looking like she stepped out of a bizarre AI art piece. The characters from Hogwarts Legacy appeared as if they had been filtered through an Instagram lens. Even real-life football star Virgil van Dijk had his features distorted, making him look like just another random guy with DLSS 5.
This so-called “breakthrough” gives everything a distinct look that’s become synonymous with AI-generated art. It’s reminiscent of motion smoothing, but taken to an extreme where it alters human faces, leading to a homogenized appearance across various characters.
It’s worth noting that when you play Requiem on PC, Grace won’t suddenly transform into a character from a Grok Imagine demo. DLSS 5 won’t be available until fall, will require powerful hardware, and is an optional feature. However, it’s being championed by one of the most influential companies in the tech world, with backing from major game developers, all seemingly comfortable with adopting this specific aesthetic.
In a statement regarding the announcement, a prominent game developer expressed that “with DLSS 5, the artistic style and detail shine through without being limited by traditional real-time rendering constraints,” mentioning its inclusion in Starfield. Another industry leader noted that “DLSS 5 represents a crucial step in enhancing visual fidelity, allowing players to immerse themselves even deeper in the Resident Evil universe.”
It’s somewhat disconcerting to see such influential figures in gaming endorse a technology that risks replacing their meticulously designed characters with generic AI-generated versions. Following the announcement, it was clarified that what we’re seeing is just a “very early look,” and that the art teams will continue to refine the lighting and effects to achieve the desired look for each game. So, there’s a chance that the final version of DLSS 5 will differ significantly from what’s currently showcased.
However, the current visuals hint at a troubling trend. AI has permeated many aspects of our lives, often in frustrating ways, particularly in aesthetics. AI-generated faces tend to be a blend of numerous images, resulting in a homogenized ideal that’s easy to spot due to common traits: unnaturally smooth skin, uniform features, overly cheerful expressions, and synthetic-looking hair. While these can be typical features, their prevalence in AI-generated images pushes us into uncanny territory.
This is why the reactions to the faces in Nvidia’s demo were so strong: they don’t just look off; they all look strikingly similar. This aesthetic is already widespread, from social media to traditional entertainment, and it’s creeping into gaming. Despite the lack of quality AI-generated films, they continue to emerge, easily identifiable by their distinct look. Nvidia’s new tech is a glaring example of this trend infiltrating the gaming world.
The implications of AI distorting artistic work are particularly concerning for the gaming industry. Following a wave of layoffs and studio closures due to costly miscalculations and a post-pandemic slowdown, the idea of replacing human creativity with generic AI outputs is unsettling. Additionally, the gaming community includes segments with outdated views on character representation, making the use of AI to create more generic and cartoonish versions of existing characters a significant issue.
Since the announcement, several indie developers have criticized DLSS 5 through memes and pointed comments. While many developers oppose the use of generative AI in their projects—some even marketing themselves as “AI-free”—it’s clear that not everyone in leadership roles at larger studios shares this sentiment. This disconnect is evident in the endorsements from figures like Howard and Takeuchi, who promote the technology while showcasing a demo that has drawn widespread ridicule.
Grace’s appearance rendered with DLSS 5 serves as an early glimpse into a potential future if this technology gains traction. If that happens, you might find yourself needing to turn it off when visiting friends, much like you would with motion smoothing.
