In a recent report by The Verge, it has been confirmed that Sony is indeed working on a mid-gen refresh called the PS5 Pro, as previously rumored. The leaked specifications have been verified, and the company is allegedly instructing game developers to ensure their titles are optimized for the more powerful hardware.

According to The Verge's Tom Warren, Sony is urging developers to prepare their games for PS5 optimization this summer, with a specific focus on improving ray tracing support. It has been reported that developers who can deliver "significant enhancements" to their games will be granted the privilege of using the "Trinity Enhanced" label, showcasing their game's superior performance on the upgraded console.

This labeling strategy seems comparable to Microsoft's approach with games optimized for the Xbox Series X, where they were labeled as "optimized" for the ninth-generation console. A few games currently available on the PS5, such as Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Spider-Man 2, already support ray tracing. However, there is variation in performance among these titles.

Digital Foundry previously pointed out the example of Elden Ring, which experienced a drop in frames per second (FPS) when ray tracing was enabled on the PS5 version. This demonstrates the need for further improvement in this aspect.

Regarding the specifications of the PS5 Pro, which were leaked by Moore's Law and later verified by Insider Gaming and The Verge, the mid-gen refresh will feature improved internal specifications. The CPU will sport a "High CPU Frequency Mode," offering a 10 percent increase in performance compared to the base PS5. Furthermore, the GPU has been expanded to provide faster rendering and enhanced ray tracing capabilities.

An intriguing aspect of the PS5 Pro is its inclusion of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution Upscaling (PSSR), a supersampling technology similar to Nvidia's DLSS or AMD's FSR. This feature will allow for improved performance without requiring additional computational power, potentially addressing concerns about running demanding games like GTA 6 on the PS5 Pro at a smooth 60FPS.

While Sony has not yet announced an official release date or unveiled the hardware for the PS5 Pro, analysts suggest that a release later this year is likely. This mid-cycle refresh holds promise for gamers and developers alike, offering enhanced performance and the potential for even more visually stunning and immersive experiences.

As anticipation builds for the PS5 Pro, the gaming community eagerly awaits further updates from Sony regarding its release and the games that will take full advantage of its enhanced capabilities.