PS5 Pro: Two Game Studios Uncover Why PSSR is the Console's Most Noteworthy Attribute


# PlayStation 5 Pro: PSSR as a Revolutionary Force for Console Gaming

In a mere week, the much-anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro will make its debut on retail shelves, and although the advisory price tag of 800 euros sparks ongoing debates, the gaming community is abuzz with anticipation. Developers are particularly bullish about the new console’s potential, not just due to its enhanced GPU performance but also because of its groundbreaking upscaling technology: **PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR)**. Two major development studios, Techland and Nexon, have recently expressed their views on how PSSR could transform gaming on consoles for years to come.

## What is PSSR?

PSSR, or **PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution**, is Sony’s exclusive upscaling solution crafted to elevate the visual fidelity of games on the PlayStation 5 Pro. Upscaling involves refining the resolution of images or videos, enhancing sharpness and detail, particularly when displayed at lower native resolutions. PSSR aims to advance this concept further by providing a more sophisticated supersampling method that may surpass current technologies like AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) and Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS).

While the PlayStation 5 Pro showcases considerable advancements in raw GPU capabilities, PSSR is regarded as a pivotal aspect that could reshape how games are both rendered and exhibited on the console. By intelligently reconstructing pixels and minimizing visual imperfections, PSSR is set to produce superior images without the typical performance compromises linked to rendering gameplay at native 4K or higher resolutions.

## Techland’s Enthusiasm for PSSR

Among the first developers to commend the PlayStation 5 Pro’s PSSR technology is **Tymon Smektala**, Franchise Director at Techland, known for the acclaimed *Dying Light* series. In a conversation with GamingBolt, Smektala shared his enthusiasm for PSSR’s potential, particularly regarding their forthcoming game, *Dying Light: The Beast*.

Smektala noted that the enhanced graphics chip in the PS5 Pro provides “far greater flexibility in terms of graphics and performance.” Nonetheless, he stressed that the true revolutionary element is PSSR. He characterized this innovation as a “notable progression for supersampling technologies” and proposed that its significance could eventually eclipse that of merely upgrading the hardware.

For *Dying Light: The Beast*, Techland is harnessing PSSR to develop more intricate weather effects, alongside various graphical enhancements. The studio is confident that PSSR will enable them to extend the limits of visual fidelity without compromising performance.

## Nexon’s Perspective: PSSR vs. AMD FSR

Another vocal proponent of PSSR is **Nexon**, the creators of *The First Descendant*, one of the titles receiving the “PS5 Pro Enhanced” treatment. In a discussion with Wccftech, **Junhwan Kim**, an engine developer at Nexon, elaborated on how PSSR has left a strong impression on the team throughout the development of the enhanced patch for *The First Descendant*.

Kim indicated that on the standard PlayStation 5, the team largely depended on AMD’s FSR for upscaling. While FSR is certainly a capable technology, it is not without its pitfalls, including ghosting effects that occur during pixel reconstruction. These visual discrepancies can diminish the overall gaming experience, particularly in fast-paced action scenarios.

However, with PSSR, such problems are notably diminished. Kim remarked that the PlayStation 5 Pro, empowered by PSSR technology, yields “extremely impressive outcomes” when contrasted with FSR. The diminishment of ghosting and other visual artifacts results in a noticeably clearer and crisper image, even when upscaling from lower resolutions.

## Digital Foundry’s Assessment: PSSR vs. FSR vs. DLSS

The gaming technology specialists at **Digital Foundry** have already performed a comparison of PSSR, AMD FSR, and Nvidia DLSS using *Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart* as a testing ground. While comprehensive results from their analysis are yet to be released, initial observations indicate that PSSR stands robust against its competitors, presenting a strong alternative to both FSR and DLSS.

One of PSSR’s primary strengths is its capacity to deliver excellent upscaling without necessitating specialized hardware, like the Tensor Cores utilized by Nvidia’s DLSS. This positions PSSR as a more attainable solution for developers engaged with the PlayStation 5 Pro, allowing them to reach remarkable visual outcomes without the complication of incorporating additional hardware features.

## The Future of Console Gaming with PSSR

As the PlayStation 5 Pro gears up for launch, the enthusiasm surrounding PSSR is tangible. Both Techland and Nexon have spotlighted the technology as a