Nvidia’s latest graphics technology wows, but faces tell a different story.

What kind of innovations should we expect from the next wave of video games? Larger worlds? Quicker load times? Nvidia has a surprising suggestion: imagine investing thousands in a graphics card that makes everything look like it’s been filtered through a Snapchat beauty lens.

At Nvidia’s GTC Live 2026 event, the AI-centric company introduced DLSS 5, which they claim is “the most significant breakthrough in computer graphics since real-time ray tracing emerged in 2018.” Reactions to this tech have been… varied.

Digital Foundry recently released a video analyzing Nvidia’s DLSS 5, which is exclusive to the upcoming RTX 50-series graphics cards. The video features side-by-side comparisons of how games like Resident Evil Requiem and Starfield appear with DLSS 5 toggled on and off. This technology utilizes machine learning, described by Nvidia as a “real-time neural rendering model that infuses pixels with photoreal lighting and materials.” However, it doesn’t modify any geometry or texture assets, according to Digital Foundry.

You wouldn’t guess that from the visuals, though. With DLSS, character designs can transform dramatically, resembling something you’d expect from an AI-generated character concept. The results are often exaggerated and stylized.

Towards the end of the video, Digital Foundry’s Richard Leadbetter mentions that Todd Howard from Bethesda personally approved the DLSS visuals for Starfield. He paraphrases Howard, who reportedly expressed that this was the vision he had for how Starfield should be presented to players.

“Bethesda has a long history of pushing graphics with Nvidia, dating back to Morrowind and its stunning water effects,” Howard stated. “When Nvidia showcased DLSS 5 and we got it running in Starfield, it was incredible how it brought the game to life. We’ve played it, and we can’t wait for you all to experience it too.”

Richard Leadbetter describes it as “one of the surprising, potentially disruptive, transformative next-generation technologies we’ve seen.”

That’s one perspective. Many gamers, however, are poking fun at the technology. The artists at Capcom didn’t pour their hearts into creating the iconic version of Leon S. Kennedy just for him to be transformed into something that looks like a poorly executed AI creation.

“I’ve never seen anything so uncanny in my life,” commented one YouTube user.

“[It] gave Grace completely different eyes and makeup,” another remarked. “It’s detrimental to the artistic vision.”

Digital Foundry generally praises Nvidia’s tech, particularly its impact on background elements. For instance, a lamp post is highlighted for its realistic portrayal of water on metal.

Nvidia notes that the tech demo is still evolving, with plans for further enhancements. When DLSS 5 launches this fall, it will support titles from developers like Bethesda, Capcom, NetEase, Tencent, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. If you manage to snag the graphics card amid shortages, don’t be shocked by how your favorite games appear. According to Nvidia, all those characters that seem off under DLSS 5 were always intended to look that way.

“On Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it’s allowing us to create the kinds of worlds we’ve always dreamed of,” says Charlie Guillemot, co-CEO of Vantage Studios. That’s certainly a bold statement.