Sony’s upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro console is set to take gaming to new heights, and Gran Turismo 7 is leading the charge. At the recent Tokyo Game Show in Chiba, attendees got a sneak peek at the game running on the PS5 Pro, and the results were impressive. Despite limitations on screen capturing at the event, a few bold attendees managed to share brief footage and impressions.
The available footage reveals significant advancements in graphics, particularly the real-time ray-tracing effects. One attendee commented on the impressive night lighting on the Tokyo Expressway course, noting how the light softly illuminated the vehicle bodies. They also mentioned the evolved surface water effects on a weather-affected circuit.
Japanese gaming publication Gamewatch added that the reflections showcased the surrounding scenery and competing cars, also noting improvements in the colors and shapes of materials. In addition to the Tokyo Game Show demo, there’s new footage from a hands-on event in California earlier this month. The footage, provided to outlets like Digital Foundry, allows for a direct comparison between the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro versions of the game.
Gran Turismo 7 on the PS5 runs in 4K60 everywhere except during replays, offering ray-tracing options outside of race events.
Gran Turismo 7 showcases PS5 Pro power
The Pro version also incorporates new features, such as the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) AI upscaler, which upscales lower resolutions back to 4K.
The differences between the two versions can be subtle at first glance, but some noticeable changes include real-time calculation of vehicle reflections, which has a dramatic effect on car mirrors. Reviewers were impressed with the new modes, with one declaring “holy moly, 8K is legit” from her experiences in San Mateo. Speaking of 8K, Polyphony Digital is also experimenting with an ambitious 8K, 60fps mode for Gran Turismo 7 on the PS5 Pro.
Shuichi Takano, the main programmer, said, “Players will be able to see the precisely modeled cars and tracks in unprecedented detail and clarity, with a breathtaking sense of presence.”
While the market for 8K TVs remains niche, Polyphony Digital’s efforts demonstrate their commitment to pushing technological limits. Gamers with the requisite 8K displays will experience the Nürburgring and other iconic tracks with unrivaled clarity. The announcement sparked a mixture of excitement and skepticism within the gaming community.
While some praised the innovation, others questioned the practicality of an 8K mode given the still-low adoption rate of 8K TVs and the considerable expense involved. As Gran Turismo 7 ventures into the realm of 8K gaming with the PS5 Pro, it remains to be seen how impactful this development will be for the wider gaming audience. Whether it’s a PR move or a genuine leap forward in gaming technology, Polyphony Digital’s efforts to explore 8K resolution continue to reflect its legacy of pioneering advancements in the gaming world.
