Sony has rolled out a new AI-powered upscaling technology for the standard PlayStation 5 console, dubbed Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR). This advancement aims to sharpen game visuals and optimize performance, offering a significant upgrade in graphical fidelity.
QSSR is the result of a collaborative effort between Sony and AMD, featuring what Sony describes as a "streamlined neural network architecture." While the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro will have its own more advanced version, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), QSSR is designed to provide a noticeable improvement for games on the existing PS5 hardware. The technology focuses on enhancing pixel-level clarity and stability within game environments, bringing out finer details in both character models and expansive game worlds.
Initially, QSSR support is limited to two PlayStation 5 exclusives: Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine and Sucker Punch Productions' Ghost of Tsushima. Both titles are receiving a patch that adds QSSR as an optional graphics setting. Insomniac Games' head of technology, Mike Fitzgerald, noted in a PlayStation Blog post that QSSR "adds more pixel-level clarity and stability to our environments, bringing out extra detail amidst the busy streets of Madripoor, the dense alleyways of Shinjuku, and many other areas across Logan's epic journey." He added that it serves as a "great taste of the PS5 Pro experience" for current PS5 owners.
Similarly, Jasmin Patry, lead rendering engineer at Ghost of Tsushima developer Sucker Punch Productions, stated that QSSR excels at "resolving the fine details" that were previously challenging for the base PS5 to render. This technology is particularly impactful for Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut, which is also launching with a new Complete Edition this month.
Sony plans to make QSSR available to all PlayStation developers soon. Its widespread implementation could become a significant draw for the aging console, which will mark its sixth anniversary in November. As the cost of entry into the current generation of consoles has risen, and the PS5 Pro faces increasing demand and limited availability, an enhanced gaming experience on the more accessible PS5 console presents a compelling value proposition, especially compared to the original launch price of the PS5 in 2020.