CD Projekt Red and Nvidia have teased Cyberpunk 2077's RT Overdrive mode previously, with plans to enable full path tracing effects in the game. It has been a while since we last had an update on this, but it looks like CDPR and Nvidia will be teaming up again soon at GDC.
Nvidia has shown off path tracing technology before in a few titles, primarily remasters of less demanding games like Quake 2, Portal and Minecraft. Cyberpunk 2077's OT Overdrive mode will be the first time this tech has come to a modern AAA game.
Upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 RT Overdrive will bring full path tracing support. If this works out as intended it could be a breakthrough in real-time rendering. ?
I am really looking forward to check that out. More info: https://t.co/LKekEdS6AI pic.twitter.com/tomm8y2DO6
— CapFrameX (@CapFrameX) March 10, 2023
As noted by CapFrameX, Nvidia will be hosting a panel at GDC with CD Projekt Red to show off the new RT mode and talk about the tech behind it.
For those who don't know the difference between ray tracing and path tracing, they're two very similar technologies used to simulate the light's behaviour in a virtual scene. The difference lies in how each of them achieves results. Ray tracing projects light rays in all directions from various locations, generating an image by tracing the path of light as it bounces off objects. On the other hand, path tracing simulates the physics of light by including ray tracing as part of it, except it follows individual light rays to trace the passage of light through a scene.
The Nvidia and CDPR panel at GDC is scheduled for March 22nd. All owners of a GDC pass will be able to attend it.
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KitGuru says: We've been waiting months for Cyberpunk 2077's upcoming RT Overdrive mode and it looks like it will soon be made available.