007 First Light introduces upgraded PSSR on PS5 Pro

With the release of 007 First Light, players on the PlayStation 5 Pro will encounter the game enhanced with the latest iteration of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). This upscaling technology from Sony Interactive Entertainment leverages machine learning to produce a sharper and more stable image from a lower internal resolution. At IO Interactive, the benefits of this technology became apparent almost immediately.

A cleaner, more stable image

The upgraded PSSR significantly enhances image quality throughout the various environments in 007 First Light, from the lush greenery of outdoor settings to the intricate details of character renderings during cinematic sequences. These improvements are particularly noticeable in scenes that have traditionally posed challenges for upscalers.

Reduced flicker and graphic noise

The enhanced PSSR effectively minimizes shimmering and flickering artifacts, ensuring a smoother and more cohesive visual experience, especially in scenes with intricate geometry and high-frequency detail.

Improved temporal stability in motion

Whether navigating through environments or moving swiftly between cover, the upgraded PSSR maintains image integrity more effectively than previous iterations. Moving objects retain their clarity instead of becoming distorted.

Sharper detail reconstruction

Fine details such as hair and fabric are reconstructed with greater precision, which is crucial in a game where character presentation is a key component.

“Upgraded PSSR provided a significant improvement in image quality across the board — cleaner, more stable, and noticeably sharper on the kind of fine detail that’s hardest to get right. It’s a clear upgrade for our PS5 Pro players.” – Henrik Schlichter, Technical Director, IO Interactive

Seamless integration

From a development perspective, one of the most remarkable aspects of the upgraded PSSR was the minimal effort required to achieve excellent visual results. IO Interactive’s engineers integrated the new upscaler swiftly, with the output being impressive enough to eliminate the need for per-scene adjustments across the diverse locations and lighting conditions in 007 First Light.

“We integrated upgraded PSSR in about a day and were essentially happy with what we saw straight away. No per-scene tuning, no special-case work — it just held up across the whole game. That’s not something we get to say very often about a piece of new tech.” – Jon Rocatis, Principal Render Engineer, IO Interactive

Available at launch on PS5 Pro

Upon launch, the upgraded PSSR will serve as the default upscaler on the PlayStation 5 Pro for 007 First Light. Players on other platforms will continue to experience the benefits of FSR 3.1.5, which remains the preferred upscaler outside of the PS5 Pro.

IO Interactive is eager for players to enjoy 007 First Light at its visual peak on the PS5 Pro and remains committed to exploring further enhancements in image quality as the platform continues to develop.