Confirmed
Digital Foundry analysis, Trailer 2
Does GTA 6 Have Ray Tracing?
Yes. Digital Foundry's frame-by-frame analysis of Trailer 2 identified hardware-accelerated real-time ray tracing in multiple sequences. Reflections on wet surfaces, vehicle paint, and building glass show characteristics consistent with ray-traced lighting rather than screen-space reflections.
This is consistent with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S hardware capability. Both consoles include dedicated ray tracing acceleration units. GTA 6 appears to use this hardware for at least reflections and potentially global illumination based on the footage analysed.
Related Questions
Is ray tracing confirmed on both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S?
Analysis
The trailer footage does not distinguish between platforms. Both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have hardware ray tracing capability. Whether the implementation differs between the two platforms in resolution, frame rate, or quality settings has not been confirmed.
Analysis, Digital Foundry, no platform-specific confirmation
Will ray tracing affect frame rate?
Analysis
Likely. Ray tracing is computationally expensive on current hardware. GTA 5 on PS5 and Xbox Series X offered a performance mode at 60fps and a quality mode at 30fps. GTA 6 will almost certainly offer similar options. Whether ray tracing is available in the performance mode or only in the quality mode has not been confirmed.
Analysis, based on current-generation ray tracing trade-offs
Will the PC version have better ray tracing than console?
Analysis
Almost certainly, assuming a PC version follows. High-end PC hardware significantly outpaces PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for ray tracing workloads. The PC version will likely support higher ray tracing quality settings and potentially path tracing at the top end.
Analysis, no PC version confirmed yet
More FAQ