GTA 6 Not Expected to Run at 60fps on PS5 Consoles

It’s the biggest question surrounding the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI: will the game hit the 60fps target that many players have come to expect on current-gen hardware? Based on the latest technical analysis, the answer appears to be no.

Tech experts at Digital Foundry have weighed in on the game's performance expectations, noting that they do not anticipate the title will reach 60fps on either the base PlayStation 5 or the PS5 Pro. While the PS5 Pro offers improved graphical capabilities, the analysts point out that its CPU sits in the same ballpark as the standard console, which will likely be the primary bottleneck for a game of this scale.

The complexity of Grand Theft Auto VI—specifically the sheer size of the simulation and the density of the open world—is expected to push the CPU to its limits. Because the game's performance is tied to these demanding simulations, a higher frame rate becomes difficult to achieve.

Could a 40fps Mode Be the Solution?

While 60fps seems unlikely, Digital Foundry has speculated on potential compromises. They suggest that a 40fps mode, designed for 120Hz panels, could offer a middle ground. This technique has been utilized in other titles to provide a smoother, more responsive experience that mimics the feel of 60fps without demanding the same level of overhead from the console's processor. However, it is important to emphasize that this remains a suggestion from analysts rather than a confirmed feature from the developer.

Rockstar Games has yet to release official technical specifications for the game. Although some retailer product pages have featured mentions of a “Performance Mode,” it is highly probable that this is merely boilerplate text used to populate store listings rather than official information provided by the studio.

Ultimately, the priority for the final release will be how the game handles at 30fps. Rockstar titles have historically leaned toward a looser, more cinematic feel, which can sometimes lead to perceived sluggishness. The primary goal for the developer, therefore, will be to minimize input lag and ensure the controls remain responsive enough to make the 30fps experience feel fluid for players.

With the game’s impressive asset quality and advanced ray tracing, the technical hurdle of maintaining high frame rates is significant. For now, players should temper their expectations for a 60fps mode when the game arrives on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.