GTA 5 Graphics Evolution From Previous Builds

Rockstar released a trailer of Grand Theft Auto 5 in the middle of last year. Since then, they’ve put out numerous screenshots—all of which show off some distinct differences to the trailer. 

The trailer, which showcases higher quality graphics (in most cases) compared to the newly released screenshots, may have been rendered on the PC. Whereas the screenshots, which were released in 720p resolution have a good chance of being screen captures from the console version of the game.

The differences between the screenshots and the trailer have been highlighted by observant and keen-eyed fans of the game.

This picture—a still from the trailer released last year—shows three hikers on what appears to be Mount Chilliad. Volumetric clouds can be seen in the distance. Much like the ones in Red Dead Redemption, they’re a huge step above the the two dimensional clouds in GTA 4.

Some fans argued that the clouds in this still screenshot look two-dimensional, but they probably aren’t. They simply look flat because the picture is a freeze frame, and furthermore, it happens to be dusk, so the clouds just aren’t that well lit.

The palm trees and other fauna in the trailer, like the ones in the two screen captures above, appear detailed and smooth. They lack jaggedness and suggest that the trailer was taken on a PC with a lot of post-processing and anti-aliasing. 

The trees appear rather jagged and the shadows don’t look as detailed in comparison to the palm trees in the trailer. There’s a good chance the screenshot was taken on the console. The view distance looks as good as it does in the trailers, however. 

There’s a lot of detail to go around in this Vinewood home. Every object in the world appears to cast a detailed shadow, including the workout equipment and the decorative plants.

In direct contrast to the trailer, the shadows (with exception to the one cast by a palm tree) appear to be less complex and hard. The topiary shrubs behind the tennis court look especially low-poly. 

As we don’t even have a tentative release date for the game, there’s a good chance that the game will look a ton better than it already does in the new screenshots once it comes out. Needless to say, it’ll look better on the PC than the console, should it also be released there.