GTA 6 performance patch reportedly in development for 60 fps on PS5 and Xbox

After the Netflix Extended Look debut, Rockstar North development lead Rob Nelson hinted at GTA 6 performance targets. He revealed the game is currently running at 30 fps, but didn’t rule out a patch to raise frame rates. A new Moore’s Law Is Dead podcast discussed a rumor that gives hope for smoother graphics on the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Despite the trailer boosting already strong pre-orders, other fans are reconsidering their purchases. Particularly with the GTA 6 PS5 Pro upgrade, they had hoped for at least 40 fps visuals. Holding off until a PS6 or PC port release date is tempting for patient gamers. However, Tom of the MLID channel warned against drawing conclusions from Nelson’s comments or the Netflix footage.

60 fps on the base PS5?

MLID pointed to a June report from a Polish Rock i Borys podcast, highlighted by Vice. According to a connection at CD Projekt Red, Borys Nieśpielak claimed Rockstar devs were aiming for two graphical settings. Both the current-gen PlayStation console and the Series X would offer 30 fps and 60 fps options.

As Nelson suggested, the studio was allegedly uncertain whether it could meet those goals by the GTA 6 release date. A post-launch patch that further optimizes performance is possible.

Gamers should take the Rock i Borys information with a grain of salt. That said, the broadcasters accurately leaked news in the past, including the existence of The Witcher 3 DLC. Regardless, higher frame rates on consoles may not be unrealistic.

Overanalyzing the Netflix Extended Look

In their analysis of the Netflix trailer, Digital Foundry explained how the cutting-edge level of detail stresses hardware. A vast Vice City crammed with NPCs and drivers threatens to expose CPU bottlenecks on the PS5 and Xbox systems. Yet MLID believes there isn’t sufficient evidence to make those determinations.

Rockstar developers could limit some ray-tracing effects in final builds, benefiting performance. The GTA 6 PS5 Pro Enhanced version promises added flexibility, since its GPU is significantly more powerful than the base machine. Even though the CPU’s clock speed is only 10 percent faster, that may be enough to hit 40 fps or higher.