One change in GTA 5’s newest update is fueling GTA 6 hype

The latest GTA 5 upgrade just launched on PC, and it's making players go wild for GTA 6 instead—for good reasons. Along with access to GTA+ on PC, this GTA 5 upgrade introduced several new features, but the biggest game-changer is ray tracing, specifically global illumination. This feature significantly improves lighting and reflections, making the game look more realistic than ever. This left players wondering how good GTA 6's lighting will be. GTA 5's global illumination got players excited about how GTA 6 graphics will look like A Reddit thread shows how global illumination improves how cars, buildings, and environments look under the game's natural lighting. Players have noticed more realistic reflections on vehicles, walls, and structures, creating a much more immersive environment. "Lighting makes all the difference," one fan wrote. "God damn this video makes the difference so clear,  I can’t wait to try it soon," another excited player added. https://www.reddit.com/r/GTA6/comments/1j46sf7/we_can_definitively_say_now_that_gta_6_graphics/ While we don’t yet have official gameplay footage of GTA 6, it’s logical to assume that everything in GTA V should carry over, if not be improved. Though not confirmed, this led players to believe Rockstar will be able to reproduce and improve these lighting effects in GTA 6, possibly bringing even more advanced visual upgrades. "I can't wait to see how good they will optmize GTA 6," the post author wrote in the replies. "I wonder what they did with GTA 6," a second player added. Some pointed out that GTA V runs on an outdated engine, RAGE 7, two versions behind the RAGE 9 that GTA 6 is using in its long development. That means the new game’s engine will likely be capable of even more advanced graphics and features that GTA V simply cannot support due to its age. The game was released in 2013, even though it doesn't look like it. "I think this is RAGE 7. They can’t do much here. Imagine what they’ll be able to do on 9," a fan explained. Don't buy into the GTA 6 graphics hype just yet It’s not clear how accessible these lighting effects will be across different platforms if they're added to GTA 6. While they may seem like simple visual enhancements, they rely heavily on GPU performance and features. That means both GTA 5’s latest update and GTA 6’s future visuals will vary depending on a player's hardware—whether it's a high-end PC or a console. For example, we don't know how the Xbox Series S and standard PS5 will handle the game compared to the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X. Consoles with lower-end configurations may have to sacrifice frame rate or resolution to get to the same level of visual quality. Also, Take-Two's boss hinted at a GTA 6 PC port coming later than consoles, which means this level of ray tracing could take a while to be available. While GTA 5’s latest update is exciting and a promising sign for GTA 6, players should keep their expectations in check. The final look of the game will ultimately depend on Rockstar’s ability to optimize performance across different platforms and hardware configurations. Until Rockstar reveals more, apparently all we can do is get baited by a John Cena GTA 6 Instagram post. The post One change in GTA 5’s newest update is fueling GTA 6 hype appeared first on Destructoid.

Mar 5, 2025 - 19:42
 0
One change in GTA 5’s newest update is fueling GTA 6 hype

A GTA 5 character riding a dirt bike.

The latest GTA 5 upgrade just launched on PC, and it's making players go wild for GTA 6 instead—for good reasons.

Along with access to GTA+ on PC, this GTA 5 upgrade introduced several new features, but the biggest game-changer is ray tracing, specifically global illumination. This feature significantly improves lighting and reflections, making the game look more realistic than ever.

This left players wondering how good GTA 6's lighting will be.

GTA 5's global illumination got players excited about how GTA 6 graphics will look like

A Reddit thread shows how global illumination improves how cars, buildings, and environments look under the game's natural lighting. Players have noticed more realistic reflections on vehicles, walls, and structures, creating a much more immersive environment.

"Lighting makes all the difference," one fan wrote. "God damn this video makes the difference so clear,  I can’t wait to try it soon," another excited player added.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GTA6/comments/1j46sf7/we_can_definitively_say_now_that_gta_6_graphics/

While we don’t yet have official gameplay footage of GTA 6, it’s logical to assume that everything in GTA V should carry over, if not be improved. Though not confirmed, this led players to believe Rockstar will be able to reproduce and improve these lighting effects in GTA 6, possibly bringing even more advanced visual upgrades.

"I can't wait to see how good they will optmize GTA 6," the post author wrote in the replies. "I wonder what they did with GTA 6," a second player added.

Some pointed out that GTA V runs on an outdated engine, RAGE 7, two versions behind the RAGE 9 that GTA 6 is using in its long development. That means the new game’s engine will likely be capable of even more advanced graphics and features that GTA V simply cannot support due to its age. The game was released in 2013, even though it doesn't look like it.

"I think this is RAGE 7. They can’t do much here. Imagine what they’ll be able to do on 9," a fan explained.

Don't buy into the GTA 6 graphics hype just yet

It’s not clear how accessible these lighting effects will be across different platforms if they're added to GTA 6. While they may seem like simple visual enhancements, they rely heavily on GPU performance and features. That means both GTA 5’s latest update and GTA 6’s future visuals will vary depending on a player's hardware—whether it's a high-end PC or a console.

For example, we don't know how the Xbox Series S and standard PS5 will handle the game compared to the PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X. Consoles with lower-end configurations may have to sacrifice frame rate or resolution to get to the same level of visual quality.

Also, Take-Two's boss hinted at a GTA 6 PC port coming later than consoles, which means this level of ray tracing could take a while to be available.

While GTA 5’s latest update is exciting and a promising sign for GTA 6, players should keep their expectations in check. The final look of the game will ultimately depend on Rockstar’s ability to optimize performance across different platforms and hardware configurations.

Until Rockstar reveals more, apparently all we can do is get baited by a John Cena GTA 6 Instagram post.

The post One change in GTA 5’s newest update is fueling GTA 6 hype appeared first on Destructoid.