"Grand Theft Auto VI" is about to be released, and various rumors surrounding the game continue to ferment. Some retail channels have previously predicted that the launch of the game may trigger a wave of panic buying of console hardware, leading to tight supply. Digital Foundry recently put forward a more controversial point of view on the show, saying that judging from the currently released trailers and promotional materials, the performance target of "Grand Theft Auto VI" on current-generation consoles may not be able to reach 60 frames. Even the newly upgraded PS5 Pro is likely to be unable to achieve stable 60 frames under the premise of high image quality.
Analysts from Digital Casting believe that the complexity and detail density of the scene presented in the trailer is significantly higher than that of the previous game. In addition, the large number of physical and behavioral simulations in the game will put great pressure on the CPU. This is a flaw for modern console platforms that use Zen 2 architecture and have limited frequencies. Although the graphics performance of the PS5 Pro has been greatly improved, there is no qualitative leap in the processor compared to the standard PS5; Microsoft's Xbox Series X is also basically at the same generation level as the PS5 in CPU design, so both platforms cannot easily support higher frame rates in high-load scenarios.
In previous promotions, Rockstar has publicly stated that the second trailer of "Grand Theft Auto VI" was completely recorded using the actual PS5 standard version console. Combining this information with the analysis of digital casting, the judgment is that the first version will most likely be based on a "movie-like" 30-frame picture, canceling the "60-frame performance mode" rumor that had been widely circulated in the player community. Digital Casting added that on PS5 Pro, it may be possible to increase the frame rate to about 40 frames by reducing some picture parameters, but while maintaining trailer-level picture performance, there is little room for implementation of 60-frame mode on existing hardware.
Rockstar’s past practices on host platforms also provide reference for the above judgment. Whether it is "Grand Theft Auto IV" or "Grand Theft Auto V", the original versions on current-generation consoles were locked at 30 frames, and the true 60-frame experience was only achieved when subsequent generations of consoles were launched. Combined with the currently known hardware planning, the industry generally expects that the next generation Xbox "Helix" and Sony's new console PlayStation 6 will be launched one after another between 2027 and 2028. At that time, "Grand Theft Auto VI" is expected to provide a higher frame rate mode with the help of stronger hardware like its predecessor.
On the PC platform, analysis points out that when "Grand Theft Auto VI" lands on PC in the future, the picture details are expected to be further improved, and players can rely on more mature image scale transformation and frame generation technology to make up for the hardware pressure in exchange for a higher frame rate experience. However, in the console market, Rockstar has always adopted a "console first, PC later" release strategy. The basic version of this generation is likely to continue to weigh the stability and picture performance of 30 frames, continuing the series' consistent priority of console experience.