A Sony patent revealed how we can expect more stable gaming performance.

Although the PlayStation 5 Pro’s PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaler was not perfect at launch, it is still remarkable technology because it is the first AI-based resolution enhancer available on a console. Since the system’s release, the upscaler has continuously improved to provide better image quality. A future version may include significant changes that will prevent frame rate drops in all games. On February 4, Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a new patent detailing the features of the upcoming PSSR 2.0. The most important of these is dynamic scaling of AI accuracy.

The system will monitor the console’s GPU and CPU performance in real time and automatically adjust the cost of AI upscaling based on the game’s current load. If a scene features elements such as a huge explosion or a large number of NPCs, the system may reduce AI accuracy slightly during the upscaling process to maintain the frame rate. Once the load decreases, the accuracy returns to its maximum level. This means that game developers no longer need to reduce the internal resolution of games to stabilize the frame rate, which would be a huge breakthrough in console gaming.

“The accuracy of the ANN inference is reduced by decreasing the precision of the model’s weights and/or activations. However, this reduction is acceptable to maintain a stable gaming experience for the user, such as smooth animation and resolution. When an application or game reaches its maximum load capacity, the framerate of the MFSR graphics output can suffer, leading to a subpar experience for the user. This is particularly problematic in fast-paced games,” the patent details.

This new PSSR breakthrough is incredibly promising for the PlayStation 5 Pro, as it could transform the console into a true 4K, 120 FPS machine. It is also promising for future hardware, such as the PlayStation 6 and PlayStation handheld. Since today’s games are developed with upscaling in mind, future versions of PSSR could give Sony’s later consoles a competitive edge.

Source: WCCFTech, WIPO