Nvidia’s controversial upscaling tech, DLSS 5, hasn’t officially been released for its RTX 50-series computer chips. Files for the real-time neural rendering model were recently discovered in an early access build of NBA 2K27, so naturally, people raced to get it working. Based on fan uploads, the apparent latest iteration of DLSS 5 is a definite improvement over the earlier iteration’s tendency to yassify every pixel.
Some games, however, just can’t shake DLSS 5’s uncanny valley effect.
Why is Nvidia’s DLSS 5 controversial?
Earlier this year, DLSS 5 came under scrutiny after Nvidia released footage of popular games like Resident Evil Requiem using the technology. Though Nvidia claimed that DLSS 5 only enhanced video game lighting, fans felt that the tech altered character designs to make them conventionally attractive. Nvidia countered these concerns by claiming that the company had the full backing of gaming studios, who felt that DLSS 5 accurately captured the artistic intent behind the game. Such claims backfired for Nvidia after some gaming studios known for denouncing the use of AI revealed that they were never informed about Nvidia’s plan. Sentiment around the technology further soured after Nvidia’s CEO told critics they were “completely wrong” to reject DLSS 5.
Months later, DLSS 5 is accidentally back in the limelight. This time, however, Nvidia can’t curate the footage of DLSS 5. So far, players have tested the tech out in games like The Last of Us Part 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
In specific contexts, DLSS 5 can shine. Woodsy areas full of greenery are sharper and more vibrant in TLOU 2 when the filter is on, as you can see in this comparison video by DVESF:
DLSS 5 still seems to struggle with faces and human skin, though. The AI tech makes people look strangely oily at best, or like someone forgot to turn off Beauty Mode on TikTok at worst. DLSS 5 on Skyrim, for example, makes the game look like the characters were designed by beauty guru James Charles:
When applied to San Andreas CJ, the results are arguably more “realistic” — yet the protagonist almost looks like a different person.
“If only the training wasn’t made with professional hdr edited photos and more with natural images it would look less weird and unnatural, they always look so high contrast hdr like and extremely lit with a fake blue sky light,” one YouTube commenter remarked on PureDark’s Skyrim video.
“It’s like those Instagram vids but playable lol,” another commenter opined on Jessica Natalia’s San Andreas video.
To be fair to Nvidia, what people are kicking the tires on right now is unfinished and not meant for public consumption. The company could get DLSS 5 closer to the mark in the final product, whenever it releases. By then, though, DLSS 5’s reputation as a yassified AI slop might be hard to shake off.
