Rockstar says GTA 6 PS5 Pro build ran at 60 fps with major performance compromises

The recently revealed GTA 6 PS5 Pro specs disappointed owners of Sony’s flagship hardware. Targeting 30 fps, Rockstar prioritized visual fidelity even on the pricey PlayStation console. In a leaked interview, the studio says it tested a build that achieved 60 fps. However, most players wouldn’t accept the performance drawbacks.

Lance McDonald is a game researcher who often offers technical insight into trending topics. He noticed a Rockstar interview went live on TheGamer apparently ahead of schedule. Before the article vanished, McDonald captured a notable quote:

We had a build that ran at 60FPS on PS5 Pro, but in order to achieve this, we had to remove all of the cars and most of the heads.

While likely joking, it’s one of the few times a developer has addressed the system. Still, when the Netflix Extended Look trailer debuted, Rockstar North co-lead Rob Nelson hinted at GTA 6 PS5 Pro performance. He said 30 fps was the target for all consoles, though more optimization was possible on or after the release date.

Unfortunately, on November 10th, any hopes for a framerate boost faded. Just like with the Xbox Series X and base PS5, 30 fps is the goal for the mightiest PlayStation system. On the other hand, exclusive benefits include ray-traced shadows and PSSR 2 upscaling. Players should see improved lighting and even crisper graphics.

A promising leak

The news emerged after a metadata leak pointed to a 120Hz high framerate mode for the GTA 6 PS5 Pro upgrade. Lacking VRR, the combination typically results in a 40 fps option on enhanced games. That at least leaves the door open for a welcome post-launch performance update.

Rockstar humorously mentioned in the interview how the dense Leonida map challenges the most capable hardware. Vice City roadways are teeming with cars, while hyper-realistic NPCs pack sidewalks and beaches. The professional model boasts a superior GPU, but its CPU is comparable to the base console. As a result, it still faces limitations in these complex scenes.

Fans unhappy with the 30 fps visuals may need to wait for the inevitable GTA 6 PC port.