In a significant development for PC gamers, Rockstar Games has unveiled a free update for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto V, which has long been without the advanced graphical features available on next-gen consoles. This update, announced in a blog post earlier today, introduces ray-traced shadows and reflections, bringing the PC experience closer to its console counterparts.
Enhanced Graphics and Features
The update will be delivered as a new executable, ensuring that players with older hardware can still access the original version of the game. This thoughtful approach allows those with less powerful PCs to continue enjoying the game without the need for immediate upgrades.
Among the exciting enhancements are:
- Ray-traced reflections and shadows, elevating the visual fidelity of the game.
- Additional ray-traced features exclusive to PC, including RTAO (ray-traced ambient occlusion) and RTGI (ray-traced global illumination), which significantly improve lighting and shadow effects.
- DirectStorage support for optimized SSD performance, enhancing load times and overall gameplay fluidity.
- Dolby Atmos support, providing an immersive audio experience.
- Support for higher resolutions and aspect ratios, hinting at Ultrawide compatibility and improved high-DPI scaling for the HUD.
While the new requirements for running GTA V with ray tracing enabled appear manageable, players aiming for high-resolution, ultrawide, or high-refresh displays may find themselves needing to invest in more powerful gaming CPUs and GPUs. However, the specifics regarding resolution and FPS targets for both minimum and recommended specifications remain undisclosed.
Beyond the technical upgrades, the update promises a range of in-game bonuses, which players can explore further in the official blog post or discover upon the update’s release on March 4. Notably, the update also includes support for DualSense adaptive triggers, adding another layer of immersion for players using compatible controllers.
One notable downside is the segregation of online play between the old and new executables, which may limit interactions between players with differing hardware capabilities. Despite this, the update is seen as a much-anticipated enhancement for GTA fans on PC, especially as they await the next installment in the franchise.
