Grand Theft Autofans have asked Rockstar to remasterSan AndreasorVice Cityfor years. Thanks to new mods that enhance the classic entries with ray-tracing technology, fans now have a way of enjoying modern technology in olderGTAtitles.
The mods were created by a group of loyal fans and give threeGTAclassics –GTA 3,San Andreas, andVice City– an update with next-gen technology. They greatly improve the visuals of the games, all of which released more than 10 years ago, with ray-traced shadows and reflections. The new lighting effects make the streets and storefronts ofGTA’s cities come to life with light reflecting off windows and cars. However, other aspects of the games’ graphics, such as textures, remain the same.
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Ray-tracingis a rendering technique that uses advanced algorithms to trace the path of light and simulate the way it interacts with virtual objects, creating settings that appear life-like. The technology is one of the most talked about features that the new generation of consoles have to offer, though PC gamers have enjoyed ray-tracing technology for some time now.
While most of the console games that have ray-tracing technology are new releases for the PS5 and Xbox Series X, such asSpider-Man: Miles MoralesandCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, some developers are beginning to use the technology to remaster their past games. One of the latest examples is the originalSpider-Manthat was released on PS4 in 2018 and then remastered for the PS5with ray-tracing technology.
The new mods that were created forGTA 3,Vice City, andSan Andreasgive fans of the franchise the chance to re-experience the games with modern-day lighting technology. It will also likely be the closest that fans get to playingremastered versions of the Rockstar classics. The developer announced thatGTA 5will receive a remaster for the PS5 and Xbox Series X, which will arrive in 2021, but has never indicated that it will do the same for its older games. Several ray-tracingGTA 5mods are already available for PC players.
Rockstar has kept silent onGTA 6, instead opting to release new content forGTA Online. The developer recently unveiledGTA Online’s next update, which will take players to new island location for theCayo Perico Heist. The new DLC was met with somewhat of a mixed response from fans, with some saying that they would like to see Rockstar announce news regardingGTA 6rather than develop new content forGTA Online.
GTA 5is available on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, with versions of the PS5 and Xbox Series X in development.
