Resident Evil Requiem Producer Views DLSS 5 AI Backlash as 'Positive' Because 'It Meant We Got the Design Right'

Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa has stated that Capcom views the controversy surrounding the DLSS 5 AI version of Grace Ashcroft as 'a positive,' as it confirms that Capcom 'got the design right' the first time. In an interview with Eurogamer, Kumazawa discussed the development of the latest survival horror title and addressed the negative reaction to the Nvidia technology. He noted that the backlash proved fans preferred Grace's original design. 'The fact that many players commented they really liked the original design of Grace and didn't want to see it changed was a positive,' Kumazawa said. 'It meant we got the design right and shows that Grace quickly became a fan favorite, with people having strong opinions about her design.' Grace Ashcroft debuted as one of Resident Evil Requiem's two playable characters in February, quickly winning over fans despite being paired with Leon S. Kennedy. Kumazawa believes this attachment explains why fans rejected the AI-altered version revealed by Nvidia in March. The tech giant's footage, intended to showcase DLSS 5 as the next step in gaming visuals, was met with widespread criticism. While games like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield were also featured, it was Resident Evil Requiem's Grace Ashcroft that became the focal point of dissatisfaction. Many compared the DLSS 5 version to AI filters from social media apps. One popular comment read, 'This is horrendous, like someone put an AI filter on it—that's not even Grace.' Another added, 'I love seeing my comfort character turned into a sloppy AI mess!' Some Capcom developers reportedly were unaware of Nvidia's plans to include Resident Evil Requiem in the DLSS 5 showcase. Bethesda later acknowledged the backlash, stating that its artists would have more control over the technology to avoid future AI criticisms. Capcom has expressed intentions to use AI in game development but will avoid generative AI. Kumazawa suggests players need not worry about an AI-generated makeover for Grace anytime soon. For more on the DLSS 5 backlash, see why Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes fans are 'wrong' about the tech, and our take on why DLSS 5 is a slap in the face to video game art. Also, check out the PC mod that added the Merchant to Resident Evil Requiem.