An unreleased version of Nvidia’s DLSS 5 has reportedly been used experimentally in existing games, producing striking but sometimes unsettling AI-generated visual changes. The tests matter because the technology appears to go beyond conventional upscaling, potentially altering a game’s artwork and character appearance rather than simply improving image quality.

Examples shared online include a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth image nicknamed “Claude Strife”, although its origin could not be verified after the apparent source post was deleted. Users have also tested the software in Hogwarts Legacy and Starfield: it can add texture and apparent realism to faces, but may age characters, exaggerate features and impose a recognisable generative-AI aesthetic. Reactions are divided, with some users valuing the extra detail and others objecting to the altered look.