Nvidia unveiled DLSS 5, its latest upscaling technology, on Monday, prompting widespread backlash from game developers concerned over alterations to artistic intent. Developers described the AI-enhanced visuals as overriding original game designs, with strong negative reactions shared in interviews and online. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang defended the tech, asserting developers retain full control.
Nvidia revealed DLSS 5, the next version of its upscaling and performance-boosting technology for PC games, on Monday. The announcement showcased changes to games like Starfield, including AI-generated alterations to faces and visuals that many viewed as disruptive to original art direction. Kotaku interviewed multiple developers who expressed strong disapproval. Cullen Dwyer, gameplay/tech design lead at Doinksoft, called it a 'disconnect between what we as developers and gamers want' and accused Nvidia of implying it as a default standard. Andi Santagata highlighted issues with 'yass-ifying' faces and interference with artistic choices, stating it 'sucks the personality out of any artistic choice the devs have made.' SolidPLasma described it as a 'misguided attempt at realism' that removes original designs and 'whitewashes' characters. An anonymous AAA developer with over 15 years of experience noted it takes away 'authorial intent' by making characters more glamorous. Karla Ortiz posted on Bluesky that it is 'disrespectful to the intentional art direction of devs.' Former Red Dead Redemption 2 developer Mike York reacted on YouTube, saying, 'This is scary,' as it resembles a 'complete AI re-render.' Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang responded to critics, saying, 'They’re completely wrong,' and explained that DLSS 5 offers 'content-control generative AI' with developers in direct control of geometry and textures. The official announcement video on YouTube received 17,300 likes and 90,000 dislikes, a 16% to 84% ratio. Nvidia pinned a comment emphasizing developer controls like intensity and masking. Insider Gaming reported that developers at Ubisoft and Capcom were caught off guard, with one Ubisoft developer saying, 'We found out at the same time as the public.' Bethesda also appeared to backtrack despite involvement in the reveal.
