DLSS 5 won’t be in the hands of consumers until this Fall, but its big reveal at the latest Nvidia GTC has caused plenty of debate online, with many likening it to an ‘AI filter’ (and usually not in a good way). Regardless, Nvidia says developers have “artistic control” over the technology, and Bethesda has already reminded everyone it’s “a very early look”. Speaking of this early look, it seems like some devs at the partnered studios were also seeing DLSS 5 for the first time at GTC 2026.

Backlash to the generative AI-powered visuals has already caused no other than Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to set things straight. Huang helped clear up misinformation online, calling some gamers “completely wrong” about how neural rendering works in a Q&A session during GTC. It seems safe to say that its implementation will remain controversial.

Some Ubisoft & Capcom developers reportedly didn’t know about DLSS 5

According to reports from the publication Insider Gaming, ‘developers were left in the dark about DLSS 5’. In particular, one Ubisoft developer spoke to claims “We found out at the same time as the public” when discussing the big DLSS 5 reveal.

Nvidia announced a handful of developers and publishers it has already partnered with to implement the fifth generation of DLSS in its reveal of the new neural rendering model. This includes the likes of Bethesda, Capcom, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Games, and more, in titles such as Resident Evil Requiem, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield.

Insider Gaming also says some developers at Capcom were shocked, especially given a reported “anti-AI” sentiment within the company. It is worth noting, however, that executive producer Jun Takeuchi has previously called AI ‘a useful tool’ for certain workflows that shorten game dev time, though not something to wholly take over creativity. The Resident Evil exec was quoted as calling DLSS 5 “another important step in pushing visual fidelity forward” in its reveal.

Reportedly, developers at Capcom fear that the DLSS 5 announcement may see the company change its view on implementing generative AI into games. It’s a controversial topic, and we suppose it really depends on where you draw the line when it comes to AI in game development.

As we said, artists still have control over how DLSS 5 interacts with the visuals, with the ability to tweak aspects such as intensity, colors, and where exactly it is applied. Most of the backlash we’ve seen so far comes from how it affects facial features once the photorealistic lighting and materials are applied via DLSS 5’s real-time neural rendering.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.