Nvidia announced a new version of its AI scaling technology DLSS, called DLSS 5, at the Graphics Technology Conference (GTC), aiming for an ambitious direction unlike previous versions. While earlier releases focused on increasing frame rates by rendering scenes at lower resolutions and enhancing them with AI, the new version attempts to use generative AI to provide more realistic and detailed facial features for characters within games.
The demo showcased by Nvidia on games like Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed, and Bethesda's Starfield sparked widespread discontent on social media. Although the company claims the technique aims to improve graphics and generate light and photographic details, many found the appearance uncomfortable and negatively striking, considering the results exaggerated or reminiscent of beauty filters on social media.
Numerous critiques focused on what some called "excessive beautification" or even "pornographic faces," comparing it to Instagram and Snapchat filters that erase flaws and make features look polished. There were noticeable changes in some characters' features, such as enlarged eyes, fuller lips, and distorted nose shapes, prompting artists and developers to argue that this alters the original designer's intent for the character.
The presentations also faced technical issues. A visual glitch appeared in the official video during a goal moment in FIFA; part of the goal's net seemed to obscure the ball before it entered, an unexpected effect resulting from running DLSS 5 (the video paused at 59 seconds to notice the issue). Activists also reported momentary visual artifacts when using the technology in real-action scenes.
Kevin Bates, founder of the open-source handheld gaming device Arduboy, commented, "Technically, it's a real achievement." He expressed astonishment that the company might reduce the requirements of this technology to operate on a single graphics card later in the year. However, he also noted that the technology represents crossing a new line in the applications of generative AI.
Game artist and designer James Brady expressed concern that the technology "diminishes the value of innovation and the artistic intent of the artist," describing its impact as similar to a “Snapchat filter” that alters appearance on a superficial level. Game developer Marwan Mahmoud commented that player reactions are understandable, explaining that some games have become overly dependent on these technologies instead of focusing on performance enhancement and proper optimization.
Some developers hinted that they were unaware of the demo's appearance before it was shown to the public, with reports indicating that companies like Capcom and Ubisoft were surprised by the content at the same time as the general audience. Raúl Izquierdo, an independent game developer from Mexico, noted that every artist has their own visual direction which AI algorithms might not always respect, affirming, "I might not want my characters to be beautified in this manner." Developer Sterling Reames also voiced players’ simple desire for an overall improved gaming experience rather than superficial changes in appearance.
Nvidia showcased the experiment using its two most powerful consumer graphics cards available now, the GeForce RTX 5090. Some developers felt that if the technology were presented as a resource-saving means allowing weaker hardware to deliver improved graphics—like on an RTX 2080—it could be viewed differently as an advantage for gamers, rather than just a showcase of the company’s capabilities.
Ultimately, the GTC conference appeared to be as much a demonstration of Nvidia's capabilities in AI as it was an unveiling of new gaming technology. Some observers believe that such features will become the standard in a few years, despite current reactions and rejections from both players and developers alike.
Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang has been quoted as saying that players are completely wrong in their judgment of DLSS, which heightened mixed feelings among the gaming audience, oscillating between sarcasm and rejection. The technology remains toggleable within games, but the discussion about whether it should be adopted by default and whether it respects the artistic vision of developers continues without clear solutions in sight.