Ray Tracing
Ongoing coverage on Ray Tracing.
Latest coverage
Some gamers are going full conspiracy theory over Pragmata's path tracing vs ray tracing debate, so I've donned my tin foil hat and taken a look
Some gamers are debating the visual differences and performance implications between path tracing and ray tracing in Capcom's new sci-fi game, Pragmata. While path tracing offers more realistic lighting and reflections, it significantly impacts frame rates, leading to discussions about whether the differences justify the performance cost or if it's a push to sell more high-end GPUs. The author suggests that standard ray tracing provides a good visual experience with better performance.
Remedy releases Control on iPhone and iPad with touch controls, reworked gameplay systems, and ray tracing
Remedy Entertainment has released Control Ultimate Edition on iPhone and iPad, featuring reworked touch controls, interface, and gameplay systems. The port supports ray tracing on compatible hardware and is available for $4.99, including all previously released content. A sequel, Control Resonant, is also slated for release this year.
Control Ultimate Edition now available for iPhone, iPad
Remedy Entertainment has released Control Ultimate Edition for iPhone and iPad via the App Store for $4.99. This version features adapted touch controls, UI, and mechanics for a better mobile experience, and supports Ray Tracing on compatible hardware. The game is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure where players use telekinetic powers and transforming weaponry to fight a supernatural enemy.
Data, not guessing: Looking at Nvidia's past GPUs to predict the specs for its future RTX 60-series graphics cards
This article analyzes Nvidia's past GPU development trends to predict the specifications for future RTX 60-series graphics cards. It examines factors like process nodes, die density, CUDA cores, cache, and AI capabilities, suggesting potential increases in transistor counts and performance while considering cost and competition.
Nvidia graphics research just made a 2-3x gain in performance, and this time it didn't use AI
Nvidia has published new graphics research detailing techniques like reciprocal neighbor selection and duplication maps that can reportedly achieve a 2-3x performance increase in path tracing scenarios without AI. This advancement aims to improve the efficiency of ray sampling for more realistic lighting in demanding rendering processes. While the research revises existing algorithms like ReSTIRs, it's currently unclear how and when these improvements will be implemented in games or if they will require new hardware.
Project Helix’s AMD GPU Features Zero Customization by Microsoft – Rumor
A rumor suggests Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will feature an off-the-shelf AMD GPU with no custom modifications, a departure from previous Xbox consoles. The GPU will reportedly utilize RDNA 5 architecture and support AMD's FSR Diamond technology for upscaling and frame generation, with significant AI performance dedicated to these features. The CPU will include a separate NPU for Microsoft's Copilot software.
Project Helix Speculation Sparked by Hideo Kojima Posing for a Photo at Xbox Offices
Hideo Kojima visited the Xbox offices, posing for photos with Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma and Xbox's chief content officer Matt Booty, sparking speculation about his involvement with 'Project Helix'. While Kojima received a gift box labeled 'Xbox for Kojima', the article notes that development kits for the next-generation console are not expected until 2027. Kojima Productions is currently working on upcoming games OD and Physint.
What Does Porsche, Persona 5, and the New Open-World Anime RPG 'Neverness to Everness' Have in Common? I'm
Perfect World Games and Hotta Studio revealed details for the upcoming open-world RPG Neverness to Everness, set to launch on April 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android with cross-platform support. The game will feature collaborations with Porsche and Persona 5, including the 918 Spyder and Persona 5 Royal soundtrack. New characters, expanded social systems, mini-games, and technical updates like ray tracing were also showcased.
Pragmata Looks Best on PS5 Pro, Says Tech Experts
Technical experts at Digital Foundry have concluded that Pragmata performs and looks best on the PlayStation 5 Pro, utilizing its PSSR2 upscaling technology. While the base PlayStation 5 version uses FSR1 for upscaling from 1080p, the PS5 Pro can upscale from 864p to 2160p with enhanced image quality, and also offers a 120fps mode.
Full path tracing might not be such a GPU hog in future, as Nvidia claims over 2x performance improvements in new…
Nvidia researchers have developed an enhanced version of the ReSTIR PT technique, claiming over a 2x performance improvement for path tracing. This advancement aims to make full path tracing more efficient and production-ready for games, potentially reducing the reliance on workarounds like Lumen for global illumination. The improvements address correlation artifacts and noise, leading to a significant speedup and better visual quality.
Neverness to Everness Scorches Down the Road to Launch in Style with Porsche
Perfect World Games and Hotta Studio announced that Neverness to Everness will launch on April 29, 2026, for PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, iOS, and Android. The supernatural urban open-world RPG will feature collaborations with Porsche and Persona 5, alongside new characters, social systems, and activities. The game will also support full-scale ray tracing for enhanced visuals.
New rumors suggest PS6 will massively out-perform the Steam Machine, but I'm not sure that's what we need…
New rumors suggest the PlayStation 6 will significantly outperform the Steam Machine, with performance gains potentially reaching 3.1x the PS5's current ray-traced framerates. The article questions whether such a high-end performance leap is necessary or aligned with current market conditions, especially given a speculated $1,000 price point for the top-tier model.
Metro 2039 – 5 New Things We Learned
Metro 2039, developed by 4A Games, is set to return to Moscow several years after Metro Exodus, featuring a new protagonist named Stranger and a darker narrative focused on the tyrannical Novoreich regime led by Hunter. The game will emphasize claustrophobic environments and player choice, while also rebuilding its ray tracing implementation for a more realistic world. Metro 2039 is scheduled for a Winter release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, including Steam and the Microsoft Store.
I've already raced through Pragmata 3 times, and it's cemented Capcom's mastery of the modern action game…
This article explores how speedrunning transforms the experience of playing Capcom's modern action game, Pragmata. By engaging deeply with its mechanics, players can discover new challenges and master its systems, making repeat playthroughs more engaging. The author highlights how Pragmata's design, including its UI and combat, supports this playstyle, allowing for significant time reductions on subsequent runs.
I loved the 16 GB version, but the RX 9060 XT 8 GB falls slightly short of expectations
The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8 GB graphics card offers decent 1080p and 1440p performance for its price, but its 8 GB of VRAM can significantly hinder performance in certain games compared to the Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB. While it runs cool and quiet, its performance limitations, especially in VRAM-intensive titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us Part I, make it a less compelling option than its slightly more expensive competitor, particularly at current market prices.
Metro 2039 revealed for PS5, Xbox Series & PC this winter
4A Games has revealed Metro 2039, the next installment in the Metro series, set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC this winter. The game takes place in 2039 within the Moscow Metro system, featuring a new authoritarian regime and a fully voiced protagonist named The Stranger. The announcement trailer offered a glimpse of gameplay, showcasing the advanced 4A Engine with ray-traced lighting.
Metro 2039 Takes Advantage of “Every Game in the Franchise Before It,” Including Ray Tracing
4A Games has revealed Metro 2039, set to launch this Winter for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game will feature an enhanced ray tracing implementation and focus on environmental storytelling to create a dense and believable world. The developers highlighted the use of their proprietary 4A Engine to achieve their vision.
PS6’s ’10x Ray Tracing’ Boost Over PS5 Will Result in Around 3.10 Times the Frame Rate – Rumor
Industry insider KeplerL2 suggests that the rumored 10x ray tracing performance boost for the PlayStation 6 over the PlayStation 5 will result in approximately 3.10 times the frame rate, not a 10x increase. This is due to a misunderstanding of how performance metrics are interpreted, with actual frame times expected to decrease significantly but not by a factor of ten. The insider also commented on the unlikelihood of a handheld variant using the Canis APU due to development complexities.
Pragmata PS5 Pro Graphical Analysis – Pushing The Envelope
This analysis examines the graphical and performance enhancements of Pragmata on the PlayStation 5 Pro compared to the base PlayStation 5 and PC versions. The PS5 Pro offers a compelling 4K 60fps experience with ray tracing and PSSR reconstruction, blending the strengths of the base console's modes, though the PC version with path tracing remains visually superior.
Metro 2039 revealed as the post-apocalyptic shooter series returns
4A Games and Deep Silver have revealed Metro 2039, the next installment in the post-apocalyptic first-person shooter series. Set six years after Metro Exodus, the game returns players to the Moscow Metro tunnels and introduces a new protagonist, The Stranger, facing an authoritarian regime. The title will feature enhanced ray tracing technology and is expected to release this winter.
