the Future of PlayStation Graphics: PSSR 2 on the Horizon

The PlayStation 5 Pro is poised to receive a important upgrade to its AI-driven scaling technology, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This enhancement aims to deliver superior image sharpness, targeting a smoother visual experience, and addressing previous concerns about flickering and performance dips. While currently exclusive to the PS5 Pro, the advancements in PSSR could redefine console gaming visuals.

Addressing Criticisms: PSSR 2’s Enterprising Goals

Industry insider Moor’s Law is Dead, known for providing accurate details regarding the PS5 Pro, has revealed insights into the next iteration of PSSR. While potentially still officially branded as PSSR,this version is being referred to as PSSR 2 within growth circles. The primary objective is to achieve a stable 120 FPS output at 4K resolution or a consistent 60 FPS at 8K, all while maintaining or improving image quality. This requires a streamlined yet effective AI model.

Currently, PSSR consumes approximately two milliseconds per frame.This poses a challenge when targeting 120 FPS, where each frame has a rendering window of only nine milliseconds.Games like God of War: Ragnarök and The Last of Us Part 1 demonstrate that frame rates with PSSR can sometimes fall below those achieved with traditional scaling methods. Furthermore,some titles exhibit distracting shimmering artifacts.

The Lightweight AI Advantage

The development of a lightweight AI model is crucial for achieving high frame rates. A lighter model allows for faster processing, leaving more resources for other rendering tasks. While recent titles like Stellar Blade and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 have shown improvements in mitigating flickering issues,many games still struggle with image artifacts or require significant adjustments to avoid them. PSSR 2 aims to eliminate these drawbacks, although achieving higher image quality typically necessitates a more complex AI model.

Sony’s system architect, Mark Cerny, is reportedly exploring a lightweight adaptation of AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 4 for the PS5 Pro. This potential collaboration could materialize around 2026, further enhancing the console’s graphical capabilities.

Another avenue for boosting frame rates involves relaxing the minimum resolution limit. Currently, PSSR operates from a base resolution of 864p. While this ensures a decent image even at lower resolutions, a fundamental quality upgrade is necessary to fully leverage the technology’s potential.

Beyond PSSR: Exploring MFSR for Enhanced Edge Smoothing

In addition to PSSR, Sony is reportedly developing another technology called Multi-Frame Super Resolution (MFSR).Unlike PSSR, MFSR is not intended for scaling but rather for edge smoothing. Described as an AI-driven counterpart to Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA), MFSR aims to reduce jagged edges and improve overall image clarity.

TAA, a common edge-smoothing technique, utilizes image data from previous frames but can introduce ghosting artifacts.The current status of MFSR remains unclear. While there were indications of its use in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor following a post-launch update, its widespread implementation is yet to be confirmed.

Moore’s Law is Dead: A Reliable Source?

While moor’s Law is Dead has faced criticism for occasional inaccuracies and source analysis, their track record regarding the PS5 Pro has been remarkably accurate.This lends credibility to their claims about PSSR 2 and suggests that the technology is poised for significant advancements in the coming months or next year.