Daniel Vávra, who previously served as creative director at Warhorse Studios, has publicly defended Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology, asserting that it provides an "excellent photorealistic upgrade to the character lighting model" for the upcoming Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The AI-driven real-time neural rendering model has faced scrutiny since its reveal, with some critics pointing to an "uncanny valley" effect that appeared to alter character faces in leaked footage.
Vávra addressed these concerns on social media platform X, stating that the leaked versions of DLSS 5 do not modify the underlying geometry of character models. "What it does is take existing normal maps and create much better skin texture and facial detail," he explained, contrasting it with the game's existing lighting model. He elaborated that DLSS 5 improves ambient occlusion, a technique that calculates realistic shadow placement based on an object's environment, thereby enhancing details like shadows cast by helmets and buckles.
Despite Vávra's assurances, skepticism persists. Some commenters remain unconvinced, particularly since Vávra presented screenshots as evidence while critics have shared videos. Concerns have been raised that DLSS 5 might rely on guesswork for lighting effects when the source material is unclear, potentially generating "fake" details that do not align with realistic shadows. There is also apprehension that developers might leverage AI enhancements to deliver less polished or less hand-crafted products, a sentiment echoed by a Reddit user who suggested DLSS 5 could lead to a majority of games using the technology as an "easy way out."
Vávra, who clarified he is not currently employed by any company or working on a game, pushed back against accusations of "AI slop," claiming DLSS 5 helps bring Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 closer to the team's original artistic vision. He further stated that AI is now a widespread tool among developers, essential for programmers to complete tasks efficiently. "No one wants to work on a game for a decade," Vávra remarked, suggesting that AI tools can significantly reduce development time, allowing for more projects to be completed.
Responding to recent videos still exhibiting the "uncanny valley" effect, Vávra urged the public not to trust all circulated footage, calling some videos "fake." While the veracity of these videos remains unconfirmed, it is possible that specific DLSS 5 settings significantly influence the perceived realism. The debate over the accuracy and desirability of these AI-driven visual enhancements is likely to continue until the technology's official release.