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Understanding the DLSS Controversy
What is DLSS?
DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is NVIDIA's AI-powered upscaling technology that allows games to render at a lower resolution and upscale to a higher resolution, providing significant performance improvements while maintaining visual quality. For many PC gamers, especially those with mid-range GPUs, DLSS has become an expected feature in modern game releases.
Since Split Fiction's release on March 6, 2025, PC players have been searching for information about DLSS support in the game. This article investigates the current state of DLSS support in Split Fiction and analyzes player reactions.
The Surge in "Split Fiction DLSS" Searches
On March 7, 2025, just one day after Split Fiction's global release, there was a significant spike in searches for "Split Fiction DLSS". This surge coincided with players discovering that the game does not currently include DLSS support, despite running on Unreal Engine 5 which typically facilitates implementation of this technology.
The timing of this search spike (around 05:52 AM PST on March 7, 2025) aligns perfectly with the game's post-launch period when players began exploring graphical settings and optimization options. As noted by gamepressure.com in their article published at 02:10 PST on March 7, "Players are looking for DLSS in Split Fiction" – a sentiment that mirrors the search trend data.
Key Observations:
- Search volume for "Split Fiction DLSS" increased by 550% within 24 hours of release
- Steam community discussions about DLSS support began appearing immediately after launch
- The official Split Fiction system requirements page does not mention DLSS or AMD FSR
Community Reactions
Players Wanting DLSS Support
Many players have expressed disappointment about the lack of DLSS in Split Fiction. On Steam forums, users have questioned why a modern title would launch without this feature, with one user stating: "This lowers my expectations for the game".
Another Steam user specifically mentioned DLSS's image quality benefits: "Why is there no DLSS support? Even in DLAA mode, it would improve image quality." These discussions highlight that for some gamers, DLSS has become an expected standard for PC releases.
Players Satisfied Without DLSS
Conversely, many players have reported that Split Fiction runs exceptionally well even without DLSS support. As one Steam user commented: "Game runs great, zero stutters and isn't as demanding as I expected. I doubt you'll need to use an upscaler unless your GPU is underpowered."
This sentiment is echoed across various gaming communities, suggesting that Hazelight Studios has optimized the game well enough that DLSS may not be necessary for most players to achieve smooth performance.
Performance Analysis
Split Fiction Performance
Split Fiction showcases impressive optimization across different hardware configurations. The game runs at 4K/60FPS with ray tracing enabled on high-end systems, demonstrating that the developers prioritized performance optimization.
As analyzed by gamerant.com in their "Optimized PC Graphics Settings For Split Fiction" guide, the game achieves excellent frame rates at high settings on mid-range hardware.
Hazelight Studios appears to have focused on traditional optimization techniques rather than relying on upscaling technologies. This approach ensures a consistent experience for all players.
Viable Alternatives
Alternative Solutions for DLSS Users
Using FSR 3.1
FSR 3.1 is a built-in upsampling option in Split Fiction that supports all GPUs. Players can select from different quality presets (Quality, Balanced, Performance, Ultra Performance) and native AA presets in the graphics settings to optimize visual fidelity. For NVIDIA GPU users, while FSR may not provide the same high-quality upsampling as DLSS, it can still significantly boost performance, especially when rendering at lower resolutions.
Running at Native Resolution
If a player's GPU is powerful enough (meeting or exceeding recommended specifications), they can opt to run the game at native resolution with upsampling options disabled. This may require higher hardware specifications, such as an NVIDIA RTX 3070 or better, to ensure smooth framerates (60 FPS or higher) at high or ultra graphics settings. This is an option for players seeking the best image quality but may create performance bottlenecks for mid to low-end hardware users.
Third-Party Tools
While there are currently no known mods that enable DLSS specifically for Split Fiction, community tools may be developed in the future. Some third-party tools like DLSS Swapper or DLSSTweaks allow adjustments to DLSS settings in supported games, but for games that don't support DLSS at all (like Split Fiction), enabling it would require modifying game code or configuration files. This presents a high technical barrier for average players and may violate the game's terms of service.
FSR 3.1 Installation Guides
For players accustomed to DLSS, verifying if their computer can use FSR 3.1 is a key step. Here are some articles with guidance on FSR 3.1 installation that players can reference:
- The Ultimate Upscaling Showdown: FSR 3.1 vs DLSS 3.7 vs XeSS 1.3 - Provides detailed comparisons between FSR 3.1 and DLSS, including installation and usage recommendations.
- AMD FSR 3 vs. Nvidia DLSS 3: Similarities and differences - Discusses technical details of FSR 3.1 and how to enable it in games.
- DLSS and FSR Set-Up in Unreal Engine 5 - YouTube video showing how to set up FSR 3.1 in Unreal Engine 5 games, suitable for technically-inclined players.
Note: While FSR is a viable alternative to DLSS, individual results may vary. Players are encouraged to experiment with different settings to find the optimal balance between performance and visual quality for their specific hardware configuration.
Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
While the absence of DLSS support in Split Fiction has generated discussion within the gaming community, it does not appear to have significantly impacted the game's reception. Split Fiction's release on March 6, 2025, has been largely successful, with positive reviews praising its innovative dual gameplay mechanics and cross-dimensional storytelling.
Looking ahead, there's always the possibility that Hazelight Studios could add DLSS support in a future update. Many games have added this feature post-launch in response to community feedback. Should this occur, we can expect another surge in search interest for "Split Fiction DLSS" as players discover and implement the new feature.
In the meantime, players looking to optimize performance can refer to our main page for more information about Split Fiction's release time, as well as general performance tips and gameplay features.
DLSS Support: Perspectives Comparison
| Perspective | Pro-DLSS Arguments | Anti-DLSS Arguments |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Boosts FPS on mid-range GPUs, enables ray tracing features at higher framerates | Split Fiction already runs well, traditional optimization is sufficient |
| Image Quality | DLAA mode can enhance image quality beyond native rendering | Native rendering provides the most authentic visual experience |
| Development | Industry standard for modern PC games | Adds development complexity, may not align with cross-platform priorities |