CD Projekt Red is preparing to launch a comprehensive technical update for Cyberpunk 2077, bringing dedicated support for the PlayStation 5 Pro starting tomorrow. The update is timed to coincide with the official release of Sony’s high-end console, positioning the neon-soaked streets of Night City as a primary showcase for the new hardware’s capabilities.
For a game that has become a symbol of both industry caution and technical redemption, this update represents the latest step in the developer’s effort to push the boundaries of console hardware. By leveraging the PS5 Pro’s increased GPU power and AI-driven upscaling, the studio is introducing three distinct graphical modes designed to cater to different player priorities, from raw frame rates to cinematic fidelity.
The centerpiece of this update is the integration of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony’s AI-driven upscaling technology. For those of us who spent years in software engineering before moving into reporting, PSSR is the most critical component here; it functions similarly to NVIDIA’s DLSS, using machine learning to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, allowing the console to maintain high visual quality without the massive performance hit typically associated with native 4K rendering.
Decoding the Three Performance Tiers
The developers have structured the PS5 Pro support around a “choice-based” architecture. Rather than a single setting, players can toggle between three specific modes depending on their display hardware and personal preference for smoothness versus detail.
The most ambitious of these is the Ray Tracing Pro mode. This setting activates the full suite of ray tracing enhancements, including reflections, ambient occlusion, shadows, and emissive lighting. In practical terms, this means the reflections in Night City’s rain-slicked streets and the way light bounces off metallic surfaces will be more physically accurate than in any previous console version. Performance in this mode is tied to the display: users with a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) compatible screen can expect a target of 40 frames per second (fps), while those on standard displays will be capped at 30 fps.
For players who prioritize fluid movement over lighting precision, the Performance mode pushes the hardware to its limit. On VRR-enabled displays, Cyberpunk 2077 can reach up to 90 fps, significantly reducing input lag and providing a much more responsive experience during high-speed combat or driving sequences.
Finally, the Ray Tracing mode serves as a middle ground. It offers a curated selection of ray tracing improvements—providing a visual bump over the standard performance mode—while maintaining a locked, fluid 60 fps. This mode is intended for the majority of players who want the “best of both worlds” without sacrificing the smoothness of the gameplay.
| Mode | Primary Focus | Target Frame Rate | Key Technical Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray Tracing Pro | Maximum Fidelity | 30 fps / 40 fps (VRR) | Full RT reflections, shadows, and emissive lighting |
| Ray Tracing | Balanced | 60 fps | Selective RT enhancements with high fluidity |
| Performance | Maximum Speed | Up to 90 fps (VRR) | Optimized for responsiveness and high refresh rates |
The Role of PSSR and Hardware Evolution
To understand why these targets are possible, one must look at the underlying architecture of the PlayStation 5 Pro. The console features a significantly upgraded GPU and a more advanced ray tracing engine, but the real “secret sauce” is PSSR. By using AI to fill in the gaps of a lower-resolution image, the console can allocate more of its processing power to complex lighting calculations—like the emissive lighting mentioned in the developer’s announcement—without the frame rate plummeting.
This is a significant leap from the base PS5, where developers often had to make harsh compromises between “Quality” (30 fps) and “Performance” (60 fps) modes. The “Pro” update essentially shifts the baseline, allowing for high-fidelity ray tracing to exist at frame rates that were previously reserved for lower-detail settings.
A Journey of Technical Redemption
The arrival of PS5 Pro support is the latest chapter in the complex history of Cyberpunk 2077. When the game launched in 2020, it was plagued by severe performance issues, particularly on last-generation consoles. However, CD Projekt Red spent years iterating on the engine, culminating in the massive 2.0 update and the critically acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion.
By transforming the game into a technical showcase for the PS5 Pro, the studio is effectively completing its redemption arc. The game has evolved from a cautionary tale of over-ambition into a benchmark used to sell the capabilities of next-generation hardware.
For the average user, the impact of this update will be most visible in the “density” of the world. Better ambient occlusion means deeper, more realistic shadows in the corners of rooms; emissive lighting means the neon signs of the city will actually cast a glow on the environment around them, rather than just appearing as bright textures. These details, while subtle individually, combine to create a much more immersive atmosphere.
The update will be available tomorrow, coinciding with the hardware launch. Players will require to ensure their game is updated to the latest version to notice the new options in the graphics menu.
The next major milestone for the franchise remains the development of the sequel, currently codenamed Project Orion. While no date has been set, the technical optimizations seen in the PS5 Pro update likely serve as a testing ground for the engine technologies that will power the next entry in the series.
Do you plan on upgrading to the PS5 Pro to experience Night City in 90 fps, or is the base console still doing the job for you? Let us know in the comments.
