An unofficial version of DLSS 5, Nvidia's next-generation rendering technology, was discovered before its official release and quickly fell into the hands of modders. Initial tests attracted attention due to substantial changes in the appearance of well-known characters.
The file was found in an early build of NBA 2K27. This library, identified as an experimental implementation of DLSS Neural Rendering, was extracted, and within a few hours, the RenoDX modding community managed to get it working in other games.
Among the first tested projects were Control, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The results show that this feature is capable of significantly altering facial features, lighting, and other visual details, creating characters that look vastly different from the original models.
Nvidia introduced DLSS 5 in March, and it includes a generative AI-based rendering mode that goes beyond traditional image restoration methods. The concept allows for the modification of visual elements during rendering, providing developers with new opportunities for artistic direction.
The technology faced criticism even at the presentation stage, as some demonstrations noticeably altered character appearances. At that time, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang defended the feature, stating that developers would retain artistic control over its use.
However, in the leaked tests, the changes can be much more pronounced. For instance, in Control, Jesse Faden's face acquired different characteristics compared to the original model, and the Skyrim characters displayed unusual expressions and facial features. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was also used for testing, leading to noticeable changes in Cloud's appearance.
In addition to visual changes, initial tests indicate a tangible impact on performance. According to the RenoDX community, the experimental version caused a performance drop of nearly 50% in some scenarios.
One of the mentioned tests was conducted on the RTX 5060, where activating Neural Rendering caused the frame rate to drop from 86 to 34, representing a decrease of approximately 60%.
Nevertheless, the results should be viewed with caution. The version found in NBA 2K27 is experimental and has not been officially released, and modders are forcing it into games that do not have native DLSS 5 support. Therefore, both the visual issues and the loss of performance may not reflect how the technology will work in its final version.
Nvidia plans to officially release DLSS 5 in the second half of 2026. Until then, the leak provides an unofficial preview of the technology's potential—as well as the challenges the company will face in convincing players that generative AI can alter graphics without distorting the artistic direction of games.