Helen Chiang, Xbox’s first-ever chief operating officer (COO), is leaving Microsoft just three months after taking the job.
Xbox’s first chief operating officer Helen Chiang leaves Microsoft just three months into the job


Helen Chiang, Xbox’s first-ever chief operating officer (COO), is leaving Microsoft just three months after taking the job.

Despite Rockstar Games’ silence on the matter, the cat rather seems to be out of the bag about GTA 6 getting its own online component that’ll doubtless serve as GTA Online has for GTA 5. Court docs the studio themselves filed as part of the ongoing final hearing in a legal battle over the firings of 34 developers last year are partly to thank, but now so is the boss of streaming platform Twitch just blurting out when he expects GTA 6 to get a big multiplayer bump.

Grand Theft Auto 6 features a re-engineered, “more localized and persistent” weather system that ranges in intensity from physically credible rainbows to full-bore hurricanes, according to Rockstar vice president of art for lighting and rendering Owen Shepherd. As ever with GTA, the question is to what extent this will materially affect your doings in the new open world game, but at the very least, it seems like there’s scope to pack in the core Bonnie & Clyde routine and become an amateur weather watcher for hours at a time.


**Elegant AI Upscaling Arrives on Base PS5: A Summary of Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR)**
Sony has revealed an exciting update for PlayStation 5 (PS5) users. The company is rolling out a new iteration of its cutting-edge AI upscaling technology, Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR), to standard PS5 models. This technology, which improves image quality, will be initially featured in the soon-to-be-released titles *Wolverine* and *Ghost of Yotei*.
QSSR represents an advancement over the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) that was first introduced with the PS5 Pro, marking a substantial step forward in the gaming experience for all PS5 users. This effort is part of a larger partnership with AMD called Project Amethyst, aimed at enhancing gaming performance and visual quality.
### What is QSSR?
Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR) utilizes a refined neural network framework, crafted to boost performance specifically on the PS5. By employing a meticulously optimized implementation, QSSR seeks to provide significant improvements in both image detail and stability, thereby enriching the overall gaming experience. For gamers and developers not well-versed in the technical specifics, the enhancements are perceived as increased clarity and less blurriness in game graphics.
### Demonstrations of QSSR in Motion
To showcase QSSR’s capabilities, Sony has released video snippets highlighting its impact in two upcoming titles:
1. **Marvel’s Wolverine**: In this video, viewers can see a zoom-in on a lively backdrop where distant structures appear clearer and less distorted. Insomniac Games’ technology lead, Mike Fitzgerald, pointed out that QSSR aids in achieving improved pixel-level clarity and stability across expansive settings, such as the vibrant streets of Madripoor and the detailed alleys of Shinjuku.
2. **Ghost of Yotei**: The second demonstration zeroes in on detailed close-ups of natural features, such as reeds by a pond. The comparison clearly shows that the QSSR-enhanced version displays greater detail. Jasmin Patry, the lead rendering engineer at Sucker Punch Productions, conveyed excitement for this feature, emphasizing the aspiration for all PS5 players to experience the high-quality image output that was previously limited to the PS5 Pro.
### Availability and Developer Involvement
Starting today, QSSR will be integrated into both *Wolverine* and *Ghost of Yotei* for PS5. Additionally, it is being made accessible to all developers on the PS5 platform, encouraging them to implement this revolutionary technology and improve their own games.
### Conclusion
The launch of Quick Spectral Super Resolution signifies a crucial advancement in making premium gaming visuals available to a broader audience. With its potential for enhancing image quality in future games, QSSR symbolizes an exhilarating development in the progression of gaming technology on the PS5. As we look forward to more titles adopting this innovative feature, the gaming community eagerly anticipates the enriched experiences that await.