Memes about the AI rendering model quickly spread after it was unveiled on Monday. NVIDIA revealed NVIDIA DLSS 5, a new rendering model that uses AI to add “photoreal lighting and materials” to video game graphics. The internet immediately criticized it for erasing games’ intentional artistic styles by adding an “AI slop filter.” CEO Jensen Huang responded, stating that critics are “completely wrong.”
DLSS 5 was unveiled during the NVIDIA GTC keynote, showcasing the AI tool with clips from games like Resident Evil Requiem and Hogwarts Legacy, comparing original graphics to those with DLSS 5 applied for a more photorealistic look.
“DLSS 5 is the GPT moment for graphics — blending handcrafted rendering with generative AI to deliver a dramatic leap in visual realism while preserving the control artists need for creative expression,” Huang said.
Gamers expressed dissatisfaction, calling DLSS 5 an “AI slop filter” that alters the original style and makes characters unrecognizable. Replies on NVIDIA’s announcement post were filled with criticism, and the demonstration video on YouTube received similar comments.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang insisted that DLSS 5’s generative AI doesn’t remove artistic control but allows developers to direct the AI to adhere to their style. The official NVIDIA GeForce YouTube account emphasized that game developers have artistic control over DLSS 5’s effects.
Despite attempts to reassure players, gamers remain unappeased, questioning the use of AI over talented artists and raising concerns about data used to train DLSS 5.
NVIDIA’s comparisons showing DLSS 5 have become memes, with users sharing heavily altered versions of characters. Independent game developers joined in the joke, further spreading the meme culture around DLSS 5.