Ray tracing has become a buzzword in gaming, bringing ultra-realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows to life. But while it looks incredible, the cost in terms of performance and game budgets raises the question: is it really worth it? As consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S push for realism, some argue that it’s at the expense of creativity. Let’s take a closer look at what ray tracing actually does, and whether it truly enhances the gaming experience, or if it’s time for a shift in focus.
What is ray tracing?
At its core, ray tracing simulates real-time light bounces to create stunningly realistic reflections, shadows, and lighting effects in video games. It’s a technical marvel, but it’s also a performance hog. To run ray tracing smoothly, you need powerful hardware—think top-tier GPUs, longer development times, and higher game prices. In short, it’s cool to look at, but comes at a significant cost.
Does ray tracing actually make games better?
Let’s be honest: while ray tracing brings a level of realism to gaming that was previously impossible, it doesn’t always make games more fun or immersive. Case in point: Spider-Man 2, which boasted a $200 million budget and stellar ray-traced reflections, but still didn’t feel that much different from its predecessor. Sure, the reflections were nice, but was it worth the extra cash and processing power? Many argue that ray tracing's improvements don't always translate into a better overall experience.
Does realism even matter anymore?
Some of the best-looking games out there have never chased realism. Think of games like Cuphead, Okami, and Zelda: Breath of the Wild. These titles embraced unique, stylized art, and guess what? They’ve aged much better than many hyper-realistic games. The charm of these games lies not in their attempts to mimic reality, but in their ability to create a distinctive visual identity that stands the test of time.
Ray tracing is an exciting leap in gaming technology, no doubt. But it’s expensive, power-hungry, and isn’t always the game-changer we’re led to believe. Maybe it’s time for a shift back to the drawing board, focusing less on hyperrealism and more on creative, innovative design. After all, the most memorable games aren’t necessarily the most photorealistic—they’re the ones that take risks and embrace their own unique visual language.
