The launch of DLSS 5 was supposed to be a new step forward for PC gaming, but instead of the usual “wow effect”, the technology met with a much colder reception. The players are not just doubtful — many are frankly not ready to accept it.
Players vs DLSS 5 — It’s Not Just about Graphics
The survey among PC Gamer readers turned out to be revealing: 71% of respondents said they were not going to turn on DLSS 5. And this is not a situation where “let’s try and see” — the mood is rather cautious, and sometimes even wary.
The most interesting thing is that it’s not just about the picture. Yes, some of the audience has questions about how the image will look, but the players were much more affected by the approach itself. About 37% speak directly: they will not use DLSS 5 for fundamental reasons. For them, the feeling of “real” graphics is important, and AI intervention is perceived as a step away from what they love games for.
This topic already goes beyond forums and comments. Even within the industry, doubts are emerging — some developers, including the head of New Blood, are seriously considering whether to continue working with NVIDIA against the background of such decisions.
But it’s too early to talk about a complete failure. There are also those who are still interested. About 10% of players are waiting for a release in the fall, and another 9% are ready to use DLSS 5—point – for example, in projects with a focus on photorealism like FC26. And about the same number prefer not to jump to conclusions, waiting for real examples in games.
As a result, a rather unusual situation develops: the technology seems to promise improvements, but trust in it needs to be literally rebuilt. And now the main question is whether NVIDIA can prove that DLSS 5 makes games better, and not just “different”.
