Digital Foundry has cast doubt on rumors that Grand Theft Auto 6 will run at 60 frames per second on the PlayStation 5 Pro, citing the console's limited CPU upgrade and the game's demanding graphical fidelity. The technical analysis outlet argues that Rockstar's upcoming title is likely to target 30fps, with a possible 40fps mode at best.
Digital Foundry Analysis
In a recent YouTube video and accompanying write-up, Digital Foundry examined the performance expectations for GTA 6. The experts praised the game's use of ray tracing in trailers and screenshots but noted that the combination of high graphical fidelity and a large, dense map would be too demanding for the PS5 Pro's modest CPU upgrade. "The CPU isn't that much of an improvement," the analysis states, suggesting that it cannot provide a significant boost to frame rates.
Rumors of 60fps Mode
Despite Digital Foundry's skepticism, rumors persist about a 60fps mode. A listing from Brazilian retailer Kabum, shared on Reddit but no longer available, claimed the game is optimized for PS5 Pro with "enhanced performance" and "more stable frame rates." However, Digital Foundry dismissed this as boilerplate text reused from other listings, not official Rockstar information. Polish podcast Rock & Borys also alleged that Rockstar is aiming for a 60fps mode at launch but may release it as a post-launch update. The podcast previously correctly predicted The Witcher 3 DLC.
Rockstar's Track Record
Rockstar has historically prioritized 30fps at high fidelity for initial releases, as seen with GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. GTA 5 later received a 60fps update when ported to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Red Dead Redemption 2 is rumored to receive a similar next-gen upgrade. Digital Foundry also noted that if the PS5 Pro supported 60fps for GTA 6, Sony would have mentioned it in its PlayStation Blog post, which focused on DualSense haptic feedback and loading times instead.
Conclusion
While GTA 6 remains one of the most anticipated games, performance expectations should be tempered. Digital Foundry's analysis suggests that even on the more powerful PS5 Pro, players may need to settle for 30fps or 40fps. Official confirmation from Rockstar or Sony is still awaited.
