DLSS, short for deep learning super sampling, was a new feature first launched by Nvidia for the GeForce 20 series graphics cards back in September 2018. Essentially, DLSS uses AI for the purposes of improving images, upscaling, and frame rates, even on cheaper hardware.
Though a lot of technologies associated with AI have their share of limitations as well as morality concerns, DLSS has emerged as a powerful technology with very few disadvantages. However, despite all the upsides of DLSS, Capcom’s Street Fighter 6, originally released on June 2, 2023, has yet to implement support for DLSS.
In the best case scenario, according to IGN, DLSS is currently capable of boosting a game’s performance by about 300%. Of course, even an improvement of about 20% could be substantial in a lot of cases.
Frame Generation has recently been added to the most up-to-date versions of DLSS as a new feature. Essentially, AI is used to estimate what new frames are supposed to look like based on existing images. In other words, there would be less situations in which a game stutters or drops frames.
Due to the way that DLSS upscales lower-resolution images to generate 1080p, 1440p, or even 4K images, the workload on the graphics card is reduced, resulting in better frame rates. DLSS is able to use machine learning models to do this in real time.
Furthermore, DLSS is said to be a technology that’s constantly improving. Indeed, DLSS has seen significant improvements since it first launched back in 2018.
For fighting games, the improved frame rates would also mean that inputs should also become more responsive for players. We’d be less likely to see “dropped inputs” with improved frame rates. This is particularly important considering the impact of execution on fighting games.
With Street Fighter 6 in particular, this potentially reduces instances of inputs being dropped when something like a Drive Rush is activated due to the number of effects that appear on screen. Also, players should theoretically be able to respond more consistently to the opponent using a Drive Impact with a Drive Impact or Drive Parry with more precision.
It should be mentioned that some have reported that DLSS will make images appear less sharp. While this can be difficult to truly notice, games that utilize DLSS generally have a built-in option to turn it off should it become obstructive. Of course, it’s often instead stated that DLSS creates crisper images in general, though this can depend on the eye of the beholder.
On one hand, the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 consoles do not currently support Nvidia DLSS upscaling technology. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s GPUs make up roughly about 88% of the graphics card users for PC. Should Capcom implement the feature, only PC gamers would actually benefit, leaving console gamers in the dust.
However, back in late 2021, Haruhiro Tsujimoto, Capcom’s Chief Operating Officer, revealed in an interview Capcom’s intent to focus on the PC as their main platform going forward. This was being done with a goal of splitting their games sales 50-50 alongside console game sales by 2022 or 2023.
Rumors have it that the Nintendo Switch successor, unofficially referred to as the “Nintendo Switch 2,” will utilize DLSS.
Meanwhile, Sony recently unveiled their PlayStation 5 Pro which utilizes PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). The concept of PSSR is eerily similar to Nvidia’s DLSS as it also enhances frame rates and picture quality through the usage of AI.
Needless to say, it seems like it may only be a matter of time before Microsoft begins incorporating a similar AI for the same purposes. As of right now, nothing has been announced on that front.
Like the recently released Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, a Capcom game that utilize DLSS, Street Fighter 6 runs on the RE Engine. This suggests that Capcom should have no problem implementing DLSS into their latest fighter.
Regardless, Street Fighter 6 is one of many games that currently does not benefit from using DLSS, which is something that Capcom should greatly consider correcting at some point. Though Street Fighter 6 wasn’t designed with DLSS in mind, it wouldn’t be too much of an issue to simply patch it in.
In fact, it’s interesting to note that there exists a way to unofficially mod Street Fighter 6 to utilize DLSS. Ultimately, it’s just a matter of taking DLSS files and the REFramework file from a Resident Evil 4 Remake mod, and placing it into the Street Fighter 6 folder.
Those that have done this have reported that there are some visual glitches that still need to be worked out. For the team of developers behind Street Fighter 6, addressing these visual glitches and properly applying DLSS shouldn’t present much of a problem considering the success that one person has already been able achieve.
Overall, Street Fighter 6 can only benefit from the implementation of DLSS and Capcom is more than capable of doing it.