AI Image Upscaling for PlayStation 5 Introduced with QSSR Technology
- Sony has launched AI image upscaling on PlayStation 5, starting with Marvel’s Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei.
- The technology, named Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR), offers improved image clarity and detail.
- QSSR will be made available to all PlayStation developers following its initial rollout.
Sony has officially announced the introduction of AI image upscaling technology for the PlayStation 5, which is currently implemented in two titles: Marvel’s Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei.
The upscaling technology is known as Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR) and is described as a less advanced version of the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) used on PS5 Pro, which Sony has branded as the “gold standard” of “AI-guided upscaling” on the PlayStation blog.
QSSR enhances image detail and stability, achieved through “a hand-tuned implementation that maximizes performance on PS5.” A comparison video for Marvel’s Wolverine shows that the close-up images exhibit greater clarity, with noticeable improvements in detail when QSSR is activated.
Mike Fitzgerald, head of tech at Insomniac, remarked that “QSSR adds more pixel-level clarity and stability to our environments,” noting enhancements particularly in the bustling streets of Madripoor and the intricate alleys of Shinjuku throughout the game’s expansive environments. He stated it provides players on PS5 with “a great taste of the PS5 Pro experience.”
A brief comparison video for Ghost of Yotei also illustrated similar outcomes, showcasing improved clarity in background and environmental details. Jasmin Parry, lead rendering engineer at Sucker Punch, commented that “QSSR excels at resolving the fine details in our characters and environments” with a temporal stability that the PS5 previously lacked.
Digital Foundry has tested QSSR and expressed enthusiasm, particularly emphasizing the “exceptional” quality boost observed in Marvel’s Wolverine. Their analysis indicated substantial improvements in temporal stability, increased detail levels, and reduced artifacts from dynamic elements like moving foliage, although Ghost of Yotei demonstrated less dramatic enhancements due to its already strong image quality.
The development of QSSR is notable as the standard PS5 does not have dedicated AI upscaling technology like that of the PS5 Pro. Sony’s success in implementing QSSR on the standard PS5 indicates a potentially superior upscaling solution compared to existing algorithms like AMD’s FSR, despite Digital Foundry noting a significant difference between the outputs of QSSR on a standard PS5 and PSSR on a PS5 Pro. For visual examples, DF has released a video featuring comparison footage using QSSR.
Looking ahead, QSSR will be widely offered to all PlayStation developers, according to Sony’s blog update. It remains uncertain whether the QSSR rollout is linked to a recent PS5 firmware update that introduced security upgrades and enhancements to system performance and stability.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
