Is the New PSSR a Glimpse of PlayStation 6's Image Quality?
The unveiling of the second-generation PSSR last week has sparked excitement among gamers. It promises to elevate the PlayStation 5 Pro to a more desirable console, offering a significant upgrade over the standard model and hinting at the capabilities of the upcoming PlayStation 6. This has led to an intriguing question: could we be witnessing a preview of the future console today?
While it might be an optimistic view, the potential of the new PSSR is undeniable. The game Resident Evil Requiem showcases the Pro's capabilities at their peak. Despite being the same game as the base model, the Pro version delivers an exceptional visual experience, surpassing all other console versions. The introduction of ray-traced global illumination and RT reflections is a game-changer.
We can anticipate developers updating their existing games with the new PSSR, and Sony is providing a convenient front-end toggle to seamlessly switch between the old and new versions. This will significantly enhance a majority of Pro titles, potentially attracting new users and justifying existing purchases for those with 4K screens.
The question arises: if the system-level toggle performs as effectively as the FSR3 to FSR4 control panel injection tweak on PC, why burden developers with game upgrades? This is an intriguing consideration!
The discussion shifts to the PS5 Pro vs. PlayStation 6, especially with the possibility of a longer cross-generation period. Could a potentially cheaper Pro purchase today reduce the need for an expensive PS6 upgrade tomorrow?
Sony might utilize the PS5 Pro as a testing ground for emerging ML technologies from the Project Amethyst collaboration, similar to how AMD's FSR4 became the second-generation PSSR. Frame generation could be the next step if Sony explores this path. However, the more ML technologies integrated into the PS5 Pro, the less innovative PlayStation 6 may appear to users.
Despite this, Sony's commitment to console generations and lead system architect Mark Cerny's insights into future technology remain. Ray tracing and ML are integral to this vision, and the PS5 Pro represents a significant advancement in this regard. The Project Amethyst update provides further insights into the future of graphics hardware, likely incorporating technologies from AMD's RDNA 5 and PS6.
The update mentions neural arrays for GPU optimization, universal compression for improved memory bandwidth, and radiance cores for 'unified light transport,' hinting at a future that supports not only ray tracing but also path tracing. Additionally, PS6 will address the CPU performance gap in the current generation PS5.
The PS5 Pro serves as a tangible upgrade to the standard PlayStation 5, especially with the enhanced PSSR in games like Resident Evil Requiem. However, like the PS4 Pro, it remains a console of the same generation, sharing CPU limitations, core features, software ecosystem, and development environment. While it demonstrates the Pro's potential, it may not surpass the next generation.
The real question lies in the broader context of the next cross-generation period. The commitment of developers to the lower installed base of the last-generation Pro console is uncertain. The PS4 Pro and Xbox One X enhancements diminished once new hardware arrived. The PS4's focus on a substantial user base was key. While the PS4 Pro offered resolution boosts and performance stability, it fell short of the PS5. The notion of a '4K PS4' quickly faded. History may repeat itself.
I may be overly pessimistic, but a unified development environment for all relevant PlayStation consoles, similar to Microsoft's 'GDK' for Xbox and PC, seems unlikely. The next-gen Sony console is expected to offer developers numerous possibilities, potentially overshadowing the PS5 and PS5 Pro. The Pro's value lies in its ability to enhance limited pixel counts with the new PSSR.
Predicting the next-generation console divide is speculative, but it may resemble the PC space. Games will run across both generations, but enhanced RT hardware and ML will deliver superior ray-traced visuals and higher frame rates. ML super resolution and frame generation will likely work together. Current-gen consoles may even deprecate RT effects in favor of tomorrow's games.
I eagerly anticipate mature ML upscaling to resolve image quality issues in the current generation. The PS5 Pro offers a glimpse into the future, and games like Alan Wake 2, Metal Gear Solid Delta, Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, and Assassin's Creed Shadows will provide valuable insights. We're excited to explore these possibilities!
