NVIDIA promised a leap unlike others when it introduced the RTX 20-Series with real-time ray tracing capabilities in 2018. However, many PC gamers don’t own GPUs capable of running the technology properly. While the technology provided real-time ray tracing acceleration long before competitors could transform lighting and shadows into something closer to cinematic realism, it also left many frustrated. It continues to split opinions between those who chase graphical excellence and those who want high-quality performance.
Ray Tracing in Action
Various games use ray tracing visual processing today. Even a leading sweepstakes casino keeps its visual competitions immersive and smooth using the technology, whether players enjoy playing sweepstakes for a chance to win crypto tokens, merchandise, branded gift cards, in-game rewards, or cash. Modern platforms with fast-paced sweepstakes simulate realistic light and shadow effects to improve clarity during rapidly-moving elements like timers, spinning wheels, or competition animations.
This allows players to track the events in real-time through visual precision and depth. Other players still enjoy the old-school sweepstakes platforms that rely on more responsiveness and speed rather than graphical details. However, modern sweepstakes focus on both by using reputable game studios like NetEnt, Evolution, Pragmatic Play, and Microgaming.
Other games like Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Minecraft RTX have showcased what ray tracing can do, implementing reflections that move with players and shadows that fall precisely where they need to be. Even the lighting feels alive. Turning these features on can often reduce frame rates, even on the latest cards that have improved performance. Having the newer RTX 4080 and RTX 5080 model from NVIDIA or the AMD RX 7900 XTX will handle the balance between performance and graphics much better than older GPUs.
The Technology Causing the Divide
Technology has certainly allowed for graphical upgrades as even 2D games have become remastered through virtual reality. However, ray tracing manipulates light and reflections. It changes how systems render light. Traditional rasterizing techniques used to calculate only what was visible while ray tracing could follow the journey of every light beam as it refracts, bounces, and scatters through scenes, allowing games to create more realistic lighting without using visual effects. Still, that visual excellence comes at a cost.
Light rays can multiply by millions of frame calculations, demanding massive processing upgrades. AMD’s Ray Accelerators and NVIDIA’s RT cores are managing the workload, and software like FSR and DLSS rebuild frames intelligently so that performance is restored. The new NVIDIA RTX 5080 and 5090 actually force DLSS 4 in games, balancing performance and realistic graphics more easily. However, the tools that help can’t erase the drop entirely.
The PC and Console Gap
PC gamers can more easily optimize their systems to use the ray tracing feature if they have the patience to fine-tune settings and have the right hardware. Competitive players switch ray tracing off completely, as the smallest frame rate changes can impact precision. However, story-focused players keep it on to enjoy the richness of realistic worlds, where lighting adds to the depth and atmosphere.
Meanwhile, consoles have ray tracing since Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, but results vary. Some games allow it through “quality mode” but lock performance to 30 frames per second. Others disable it entirely through “performance mode.” Players can choose their mode according to their play style.
The Divide Won’t End Soon
Honestly, 75% of gamers chose performance mode on PlayStation 5 in 2024. While immersive worlds with puddles that reflect neon lights and glass that refracts sunlight naturally appeal to some. Others focus on performance, meaning they want affordable GPUs and smooth frame rates without the luxury feature. Ray tracing may become more accessible, which would bring an end to the debate. However, gamers remain divided until ray tracing becomes a standard feature in games.