AMD schedules presentation on next gen image upscaling at GDC 2022

AMD proved that image upscaling techniques for modern games that require a minimum of 60 fps can be delivered without the need for hardware-specific AI or Deep Learning processing, which harnesses the power of neural networks like those used by Nvidia. Team Red’s Fidelity FX Super Resolution (FSR) image upscaling algorithm is also open source, unlike Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) or Intel’s upcoming Xe Super Sampling (XeSS). However, FSR’s quality is undoubtedly not on par with existing AI-based super sampling methods, even though it still manages to offer high fps with decent image quality. AMD is most certainly looking to improve FSR with the upcoming RDNA3 gaming GPU release later this year, and the company is expected to preview such improvements at the GDC 2022 conference on March 23.

The GDC site informs that AMD’s presentation is titled “Next-Generation Image Upscaling for Games,” with a short description claiming that “AMD will present some of the results of their research in the domain of next-generation image upscaling technology, and how such technology can be applied to games to improve the gaming experience." Since the description mentions next-gen, we could see an improved FSR version that is specifically designed for the RDNA3 GPUs. AMD may still be reluctant to use AI-enabled hardware as it wants to keep things compatible with all existing GPUs on the market, but it could at least introduce hardware support for advanced upscaling algorithms such as those provided by Adobe Premier Pro or DaVinci Resolve.

Another solution that does not necessarily require AI-enabled hardware is to implement specific algorithms for moving and still image elements, which could further be combined with some sort of foveated renderer that identifies the more important sections of a frame, applying sampling algorithms on a per-pixel level or per image area. Of course this will also require more tweaks at the driver level, yet it might not necessarily need a per game integration implied as implied with DLSS.

Hopefully, we could learn more about AMD’s Radeon Super Resolution (FSR implementation for all games) at this year’s GDC, as well. RSR was announced back in January at CES,  but we have not heard any new developments for it ever since.

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