Grand Theft Auto 5's Ray Traced Reflections Upgrade Tested on PS5 and Xbox Series X

We'd seen ray traced shadows before in the current-gen refresh of GTA 5 - but very recently, Rockstar went back and improved the game still further, adding RT reflections. On top of that, very minor issues we had with the Xbox Series version of the game were also addressed (likely before the RT upgrade). In this video, Oliver Mackenzie shows us the improvements and limitations of the new GTA 5 fidelity mode.

[existentialselkath]

I cant help but feel it was the bare minimum to tick that extra marketing box, but that doesn't mean it isn't still a pretty good improvement.

[launchpadmcquack]

Can some please explain to me why Rockstar refuses to do a next gen update for RDR2?

[joda]

Man I wish they give us RDR 2 60fps on next gen consoles

[mattlandry]

I actually really like this upgrade. While low in detail, the vehicle reflections really add a lot to the immersion when driving around

[Lloyal]

It’s good to see Rockstar playing around with the Tech. We’ll see what they can really do with RT in GTA6.

[AbernathyCrimson]

I really wish Fidelity Mode had a 40FPS option. I would use that over Performance RT.

[blakegriplingph]

FYI: The "cubemaps" generated by the engine are actually dual paraboloid maps, which are similar to cubemaps but only take up two sides instead of six as a less expensive measure. Problem is that your geometry has to be sufficiently tesselated for the reflections to display properly.

[WarzoneXProductions]

Nobody is pointing this out but ever since they added the RT reflections in the game, it broke the cube map reflections for glass across the other modes. In performance and performance RT Glass reflects nothing now. It’s especially noticeable on cars, but tinted windows it just looks like the glass isn’t even there. They don’t even reflect the skybox like how it use to. Even ps4/ps3 had this implanted.

[tomalexander]

I'd imagine all of these updates are technology tests in order to collect data for GTA 6.

[racky]

I am so happy that developers let us choose now.
Most people prefer the RT performance mode, but I'm a huge sucker for ray traced reflections, so I'm really glad they give me this option, despite most of the player base choosing the 60fps mode.

[Vno]

It looks great in fidelity mode but I just can’t go back to 30 fps. It still looks really good in performance mode anyway.

[SHHitsOVER]

I just want real reflections on car mirrors.

[tarnishedd]

Imagine playing gta5 in 30 fps almost 10 years later..

[xnixon]

Rockstar found time to add more ray tracing effects to a nine year old game but couldn’t find away to add 60fps to a game less than half its age.

Looking at you RD2 😒

[darkladr]

I always felt that RT reflections were the most ideal target for the first full fledged implementation of ray tracing on current gen hardware. They can be done fairly cheaply compared to global illumination and deliver massive visual improvements over currently available technologies for handling reflections (cubemaps and SSR) so it makes the most sense to me that they should be done right and implemented in all games going forward.

[Piizzachuu]

This is nice and all but we need more support for RDR2! Give us at least 60fps on PS5 and Series X!

[TheGravityShifter]

If they can retrofit RT reflections to make Fidelity more worth using, I hope they'll also add in VRR Mode so we on console can enjoy it at 40fps and make performance mode more worth it by giving that 120fps.

[fhkskalf]

It's so stupid that the ray tracing update isn't available for PC.

[thanksbetotap]

This was excellently comprehensive! It’s great they fixed the prior car shadow issue on Xbox, and hopefully they fix the other issues raised across this video.

[frankbreuer]

For me, the ray tracing patch was enough to buy it again (was in sale) for Series X.
Bought it years ago for PS4 & had only 1 playthrough.
In terms of modes, I'm deciding from game to game.
In this case I play in fidelity mode, simply because it looks really nice & the RT reflections adding a lot to the immersion imo.
The stable 30fps cap doesn't bother me. So far, all GTAs were 30 on consoles, so what!?
Of course it would be even better with Ray tracing AND 60fps, but the way it runs now doesn't mean I can't enjoy playing it 🤷‍♂️