We’ve had a few system-selling games this generation, but nothing will move consoles quite as much as GTA 6. The impending release of Rockstar’s open-world title has already fans scrambling to get a PS5 or an Xbox Series X/S. Sales across both platforms are sure to skyrocket in the final months before release. However, the majority of PS fans are wondering whether the existing PS5 will do or if they need a new PS5 Pro just to play GTA 6? Turns out, the answer is more complex than you think. If you’re a part of this camp, keep reading as I attempt to break down whether it’s worth getting the PS5 Pro for GTA 6.
How Will GTA 6 Run on the PS5 Pro? (Speculations)
If you’re seriously considering a PS5 Pro primarily to play GTA 6, this is the most important question on your mind. While we don’t have a concrete answer on how well the game will run on the premium PS5 variant, we can draw some conclusions based on expert opinions, the hardware itself, and how Rockstar games have historically performed on consoles.
For starters, it’s crucial to understand just how much of an upgrade the PS5 Pro is over the base version. Sony’s mid-generation console comes with a 67% increase in GPU compute units and a 28% boost in memory bandwidth. When combined, these improvements result in 45% faster game rendering compared to the standard PS5. On top of this, the new console also supports native upscaling tech named PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR).
But are these upgrades substantial enough to deliver 60 FPS on GTA 6? An expert in the space doesn’t think so.
The expert in question is Richard Leadbetter of Digital Foundry, who provided his analysis on the matter while speaking to IGN. When asked if the game could run at 60 FPS on the PS5 Pro, he stated,
“No. Grand Theft Auto games have always run complex simulations that push the CPU hard, which is why every GTA game has initially launched on their target platforms at 30 FPS. The PS5 Pro uses the same CPU as the PS5, and it would be extremely challenging to hit 60 FPS if the base PS5 version is targeting 30fps. This isn’t a GPU problem, it’s a CPU problem”
Leadbetter went on to clarify that he expects “higher quality visuals” on the PS5 Pro, which has historically been the case for Rockstar releases. Let’s take Red Dead Redemption 2’s performance on the PS4 and the PS4 Pro for example. Despite the hardware upgrade, both platforms operated with a 30 FPS target for the game. The only difference was improved resolution and better texture quality on the Pro model.
One could argue that the reason behind PS4 Pro’s framerate lock was the lack of patch support from the developers. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the mid-generation system failed to deliver buttery-smooth gameplay. This was also the case for GTA 5, and on this occasion, even a generational leap from the PS3 to the PS4 didn’t allow for any framerate improvements.
After examining all these points, it’s safe to conclude that GTA 6 will likely run with a 30 FPS target on the PS5 Pro. That said, we can reasonably expect a resolution target closer to pure 4K, alongside better texture quality, compared to the base PS5.
Should You Get a PS5 Pro to Play GTA 6?
The simple answer is that it depends. If you want to leave no stone unturned and play the game at the highest visual fidelity on release, the PS5 Pro is the way to go. But if you don’t mind the internal resolution hovering between 1440p and 1080p, and possibly a bit lower, it’s worth sticking with the base PS5.
It’s also important to keep in mind that Rockstar might leverage the more powerful hardware and release a 60 FPS patch for the PS5 Pro in the future. However, they have historically shied away from this, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
And now you know if you should get a PS5 Pro to run GTA 6. It’s a tricky question to answer, especially since we know so little about the game. Let us know in the comments if you’ll be purchasing the PS5 Pro to play GTA 6.
Source: Beebom
