The December update for GTA Online will add ray tracing to Xbox Series X and PS5, along with other long-standing multiplayer quality of life improvements.
Specifically, the GTA Online Winter 2022 update, which should be available later this month according to Rockstar Newswire (Opens in a new tab), adds ray-traced reflections that will be available in the Loyalty Mode graphics settings. on both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. This means your custom cars and motorcycles will look even more impressive on the streets of Los Santos.
Ray Tracing has been available on the Xbox Series X and PS5 versions of GTA 5 since the next-gen version of the legacy game launched in March. This is arguably one of the biggest enhancements to the title, dubbed the "Expanded and Improved Edition" as it was previously available on the older Xbox and PlayStation platforms.
The main difference with this update to the game, compared to previous versions, is that it previously only provided ray-traced shadows and ambient occlusion. You now get full reflections, which is much more in line with what we've come to expect from ray tracing in games.
Graphics fidelity options in GTA Online, regardless of platform, run at 30 FPS at native 4K resolution, so you get the best experience at the expense of limited frame rates. With multiplayer being blisteringly fast, we're not sure how many users will forgo the smoother 60 FPS to improve reflexes in open-world carnage, but the option is welcome nonetheless.
What else does the December patch add to GTA Online?
GTA Online December 1.64 update 2022 will also add improvements to vehicles and economy features. For example, cars will now spawn faster when first purchased, and current-gen console owners will have access to special Hao jobs without having to complete a specific race first. You can find the full list of updates and changes on Rockstar's Newswire - opens in a new tab.
Keep in mind that GTA 5 is an older game, fast approaching its 2077th anniversary, so the lighting engine used in the title can't help but look as good. You won't get ray tracing on the same level as current-gen releases like Cyberpunk XNUMX and Deathloop in terms of how those games handle the technology.
