With each arrival of a new generation of consoles, the technological contributions offered by the new machines are highlighted. Among the new features allowed by the PS5 and Xbox Series X | S is ray tracing. This technology improves the management of light and reflections in games for a more realistic rendering. Enabling ray tracing, however, requires compromises to be made elsewhere. And it appears that Ubisoft did not want to do them in one of its upcoming titles.
Far Cry 6 will not use ray tracing technology on PS5 and Xbox Series X | S. The news could not be more official since it has been confirmed by Ubisoft. It was Stephanie Brenham, 3D Team Lead Programmer at Ubisoft, who made the announcement during an interview at WCCFTech :
Ray tracing is a feature reserved for the PC version. On consoles, our goal has been to take advantage of new hardware capabilities, optimize performance aimed at 4K and achieve 60 fps. All while making sure that new game features, like our dynamic climate system, work on all platforms.
Following the publication of this interview, Ubisoft has provided an additional indication about this choice to the site TechRadar. According to the French publisher, this decision was taken to ensure that “experience will remain consistent when offered on the previous generation of consoles. “
Ray tracing, but not at all costs
Ubisoft therefore sought to limit the technical gap between the PS5-Xbox Series X | S and PS4-Xbox One versions. For lack of additional details, it therefore appears that the Far Cry 6 new gen have been pulled down. In any case, this is what Ubisoft seems to indicate. This situation is all the more surprising given that many PS5 and Xbox Series X | S games already use ray tracing.
That being said, Ubisoft continues to prioritize commercial security over technological innovation when releasing cross-game games. And many publishers are handling the current situation that way as well.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X | S are selling better than the PS4 and Xbox One in their day. But these new consoles continue to suffer from supply issues. To optimize their sales, publishers therefore make the previous generation last.
As a reminder, Far Cry 6 is scheduled for October 7. On that date, the FPS will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X | S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia. And to take advantage of ray tracing in the game, it will therefore be necessary to turn to these last two.
What do you think of Ubisoft’s statements? Is the release of Far Cry 6 on PS4 and Xbox One the real reason for the lack of ray tracing on PS5 and Xbox Series X | S in your opinion? How would you like publishers to stop releasing their games on PS4 and Xbox One? Give us your opinion in the comments below.
