From today, PlayStation 5 Pro owners can explore Alan Wake 2 and Control Ultimate Edition with finer details and greater stability, thanks to a new PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) update rolling out.
The feature has been a part of the PS5 Pro console for years, with a simple flip of a settings option, though results were often mixed. This week's update is set to change all that, with promised improvements to the game's performance and quality. In a PlayStation Blog post, Sid Shuman (Senior Director at Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications) explains that players should receive "enhanced image stability, improved clarity in fine details, and more consistent performance across supported titles."
So, what is the PSSR? Sony describes the feature as an AI library that analyses each frame pixel by pixel as it upscales game visuals. AI is a loaded term, particularly in the industry, but the feature is built with developers in mind, with Sony stating that it allows them greater flexibility to balance performance and fidelity on the console. Of course, players can also choose whether to enable it in the settings menu.
The algorithm and neural network used in the new update are based on co-developed technology with AMD, stemming from Project Amethyst. The collaboration has also fed into the AMD FSR 4's Super Resolution. If you're interested in the history and the nerdy details, check out Digital Foundry, which compared different versions of Silent Hill f, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Dragon Age.
Writing on the PlayStation Blog, Tatu Alato (Graphics Technical Director at Remedy) describes how the new implementation of PSSR improves the experience. He states, "It is great to see PlayStation being able to push even further what is possible on the PlayStation 5 Pro hardware. The great thing is that these improvements will be available to all PlayStation 5 Pro owners. The upgraded PSSR improves image upscaling quality and stability. The improvements allow efficient stochastic sampling without sacrificing image stability. The new PSSR responds quickly to visibility changes in games, keeping motion clear while improving temporal stability. Control and, especially, Alan Wake 2 benefit from these improvements on the Pro, resulting in better, more stable image quality."
With the update rolling out in phases starting today, the PSSR upgraded versions of Control and Alan Wake 2 will be available to try as soon as your download completes.
