GTA Online to get ray-traced reflections in upcoming update

When Rockstar Games finally released GTA V: Expanded and Enhanced for current-gen systems, the sentiment surrounding the update was somewhat muted due to rather minimal improvements across the board – especially when it came to the game’s graphics. In a surprising move, Rockstar Games have now announced that GTA Online will be getting ray-traced reflections.

The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of GTA V did launch with some ray tracing, however at the time it was limited to just RTAO (ray-traced ambient occlusion). While a nice addition, it is perhaps one of the least impactful forms of ray-tracing.

It is therefore exciting to see that in an upcoming update, GTA Online for PS5 and Series X will be getting ray-traced reflections, with Rockstar Games taking to their blog to say:

“With this year drawing to a close, we'd like to thank our devoted community of enterprising criminals, creators, and competitors in Grand Theft Auto Online, and provide some details on what is still to come.”

Alongside general improvements, quality-of-life changes and “a fleet of new vehicles, world events, Contact Missions, and more,” GTA Online on PS5 and Series X is set to receive “ray-traced reflections — rendering real-time reflections on many surfaces — via the Fidelity Mode graphics setting.”

Alongside Ray-Traced Global Illumination, RT Reflections is one of the most impactful forms of ray tracing – especially for a game such as GTA V which is set in a massive city with tall skyscrapers; shiny vehicles; rain; the sea and more. This update is set to arrive before the end of the year. Hopefully these features are eventually brought to PC.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of this upcoming update? Are you excited for it? What do you think is the most impactful form of ray-tracing? Let us know down below.

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