Capcom on the Reactions to DLSS 5: 'It Means We Did an Excellent Job with Resident Evil Requiem'

While Resident Evil Requiem continues to be one of the most appreciated chapters in the horror saga, the look at the game with DLSS 5 active has generated quite a bit of discussion. In particular, it was the appearance of Grace, the protagonist, that sparked the ire of fans, who accused it of distorting the artistic vision of the developers. In this regard, Masato Kumizawa, the producer of the game, intervened.

When NVIDIA unveiled the new system of real-time neural rendering, it described DLSS 5 as a platform capable of improving lighting, materials, and graphic fidelity through advanced neural models. Among the examples chosen to highlight the technological leap was indeed Grace. The differences were palpable: more defined features, smoother skin, fuller lips, and, in general, an unparalleled level of detail in the face.

Upon seeing the two appearances side by side, the community's reaction did not take long to manifest. Numerous players criticized the effect, deeming it too artificial, accusing the system of applying a sort of 'AI filter' that made the entire game appear generated by a model like ChatGPT or Gemini, thus distant from the original visual identity of the character. According to many fans, the new representation sacrificed personality and artistic coherence in favor of entirely unnatural photorealism.

Kumizawa, in an interview with Eurogamer, actually expressed appreciation for these criticisms, as he considers them simply a symptom of the affection fans have for a character that has quickly entered the hearts of players. The strong disappointment expressed by players, in summary, would be a clear confirmation of the excellent work done by the development team and the artistic direction.

"The fact that many players have emphasized their high appreciation for Grace's original design and do not want to see it changed is a positive thing... It means we chose the right design [and] highlights how Grace has quickly become one of the [women] favorite by fans, given that people had such rigid opinions on her design," explained Kumizawa.

After the controversy, NVIDIA clarified that developers maintain full artistic control over the effects of DLSS 5, with the ability to calibrate the technology to preserve the artistic identity of each project. The version shown during the presentation, therefore, did not represent a definitive transformation imposed on the game, but only a technical demonstration of the new model's potential.

Beyond the controversies, Koshi Nakanishi and Masato Kumizawa took the opportunity to celebrate the enormous success of Resident Evil Requiem, a chapter that shows how, even after 30 years, the franchise manages to reinvent and renew itself while maintaining narrative coherence with the past and the characteristic elements that have distinguished it.