Imagine playing a game with graphics so realistic that you can see shadows moving according to the direction of the light, reflections in puddles mirroring the world around you, and sunlight streaming through windows just like in real life. This is the promise of ray tracing—a cutting-edge technology that takes visual quality to an entirely new level. But what exactly is ray tracing? Why do people call it a revolution in graphics?
What Is Ray Tracing?
Ray tracing is a technique used to make lighting, shadows, and reflections in games look more realistic. While traditional games use various tricks to simulate lighting and shadows, ray tracing actually simulates how light behaves in the real world. The result? More detailed, natural, and stunning visuals.
The History of Ray Tracing
Tracing Light: The History of Ray Tracing and the Evolution of 3D Rendering
In the world of computer graphics, there has always been one ultimate goal: to create images so realistic that they become indistinguishable from the physical world. This ambition is not just about shaping forms and colors but also about simulating how light interacts with objects, how reflections and shadows behave naturally, and how virtual worlds can mirror reality with perfection. From this vision, ray tracing was born—a rendering method that has now become the new standard in the visual industry.
However, before we reached the modern era of ray tracing, rendering technology underwent multiple stages of evolution. Let’s trace its history.
The Early Era: Optical Concepts and Light Simulation (1960s – 1970s)
Like many advanced technologies, ray tracing did not appear out of nowhere. Its roots can be traced back to optics and humanity’s understanding of light behavior.
In 1968, a computer scientist named Arthur Appel from IBM introduced the fundamental concept known as ray casting. At that time, the world of computing was still in its infancy, and digital image processing was extremely limited. Ray casting was a technique that allowed computers to determine which objects were visible to a camera in a 3D scene. Although still basic and lacking complex lighting effects, this method laid the groundwork for further development.
Then, in 1979, a researcher named Turner Whitted took this concept to the next level by introducing ray tracing. Whitted discovered a way to simulate how light bounces and passes through objects, creating more realistic reflections and transparency effects. With this innovation, the world began to see how computers could achieve higher levels of visual realism.
Advancing Towards Realism: The 1980s – 1990s
With the emergence of ray tracing, scientists and computer engineers began exploring its potential. In 1986, James Kajiya introduced a more advanced method known as path tracing. This technique allowed computers to calculate global illumination more accurately by considering how light diffuses throughout an entire scene.
Ray tracing began making its way into CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) in the 1980s, notably pioneered by Pixar and other studios to create highly realistic animated films. This technology allowed films to achieve stunning visual fidelity, but the high computational cost made it impractical for real-time applications like gaming.
Meanwhile, the gaming industry relied more on rasterization, a faster and more efficient rendering method. Rasterization works by converting 3D objects into pixels on the screen based on the camera’s perspective. However, this method had limitations in producing realistic lighting effects, leading to the development of various tricks such as shadow mapping, ambient occlusion, and screen-space reflections to mimic natural lighting effects.
The Modern Era: The Rise of Real-Time Ray Tracing (2000s – Present)
Entering the 2000s, computational power increased rapidly. Engineers began searching for ways to accelerate ray tracing so it could be used in real-time rendering.
In 2018, the graphics industry experienced a major revolution when NVIDIA launched the RTX GPU series, featuring ray tracing hardware acceleration. This marked the entry of ray tracing into mainstream gaming, making real-time realistic lighting effects accessible for the first time. Microsoft also introduced DirectX Raytracing (DXR), further accelerating the adoption of this technology in the gaming industry.
Games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Control, and Minecraft RTX became prime examples of how ray tracing could bring far more realistic lighting to virtual worlds. Effects like water reflections, dynamic shadows, and natural lighting enhanced the immersive experience significantly.
Today, the gaming and film industries widely adopt a hybrid rendering approach, combining rasterization and ray tracing. This technique allows ray tracing to be used selectively for specific aspects, such as reflections or shadows, while rasterization handles other tasks to maintain stable performance.
How Does Ray Tracing Work?
Ray tracing works by tracking the path of light (rays) from the in-game camera, to objects in the environment, then to the light source, and finally producing realistic visual effects. This method creates more accurate shadows, reflections, and lighting compared to traditional rendering techniques.
However, there is a trade-off. Each frame in a game requires the calculation of millions to billions of light rays interacting with different surfaces. This process is extremely demanding on hardware, meaning only high-end GPUs can handle ray tracing in real-time without sacrificing frame rate. Have you ever experienced a game looking incredibly realistic but suddenly lagging during fast-paced action? That happens because ray tracing demands significant computing power.
The Role of Hardware
Fortunately, hardware technology has advanced to meet this challenge. GPUs from NVIDIA’s RTX series and AMD’s Radeon RX series come equipped with dedicated RT Cores designed to accelerate ray tracing calculations. With this specialized hardware, lighting effects can be processed more efficiently compared to traditional shaders.
Additionally, supporting technologies like NVIDIA’s DLSS 3.0 use AI upscaling to enhance performance. With DLSS, games can run at a lower resolution while appearing as if they are in high resolution. The result? Crisp visuals with better performance. However, there is a trade-off—sometimes, small details may appear slightly less natural compared to native rendering.
Impact on Gameplay
Ray tracing is not just about aesthetics; it can also change how games are played. In competitive gaming, realistic shadows and reflections can become strategic tools. Imagine hiding behind a glass wall and spotting an enemy’s reflection moving behind you! With ray tracing, such scenarios become possible.
On the flip side, if ray tracing reduces game performance, response times in fast-paced shooters can suffer. To counter this, many gamers choose to disable ray tracing or balance it with features like DLSS to maintain stunning visuals without sacrificing smooth gameplay.
Ultimately, ray tracing is a game-changing technology, but its usage depends on hardware specifications and the type of game being played. Do you prefer ultra-realistic visuals or maximum performance? The choice is yours.
Visual Effects Created by Ray Tracing
Ray tracing enables several stunning visual effects, including:
1. Dynamic and Accurate Reflections
Without ray tracing, reflections in games are usually created with simple tricks, such as static textures or fake mirror effects. With ray tracing, reflections are calculated based on the position of objects and the angle of light, changing in real-time. For example, if you stand in front of a window, you will see your character’s reflection instead of a generic blurry image.
2. More Lifelike Lighting (Global Illumination)
Light doesn’t just come directly from the sun or lamps; it also bounces off objects, adding additional illumination. For example, if you are in a room with red walls, that red color might slightly reflect onto the floor or nearby tables. Ray tracing can naturally reproduce this effect.
3. Softer and More Realistic Shadows
In most games, shadows often look either too sharp or too blurry because they are created with less accurate methods. Ray tracing produces softer, more detailed shadows that follow the shape of objects perfectly. If a tree is under the sun, its shadow will change depending on the sun’s position, with details like leaves and branches clearly visible.
4. Realistic Transparency and Refraction
When you look through water or glass, the light bends slightly due to refraction. In games without ray tracing, this effect is usually faked using simple shader tricks. With ray tracing, light refraction happens realistically, so objects seen through water or glass appear just like they would in real life.
5. Atmospheric Lighting Effects (Volumetric Lighting)
Have you ever seen sunlight streaming through fog or dust in a room? This is called volumetric lighting, and with ray tracing, this effect looks far more realistic. In foggy or smoky scenes, light can spread in a more natural way, creating a dramatic and immersive atmosphere.
Devices and Gadgets that Support Ray Tracing
While ray tracing once seemed like a technology exclusive to high-end workstations, it’s now more accessible than ever, thanks to a range of gadgets designed to harness its power. Below, we’ll explore some of the leading devices that support ray tracing, allowing users to experience next-level graphics across various platforms.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX Series
At the forefront of ray tracing technology is NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX series. From the entry-level RTX 3060 to the powerhouse RTX 4090, NVIDIA has designed its GPUs with dedicated RT Cores, which are specifically optimized for ray tracing tasks. These graphics cards are the gold standard for gamers, creators, and professionals alike who want the best ray-traced visuals.
The RTX cards also include DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), an AI-driven technology that improves frame rates without compromising on quality, making it possible to enjoy ray tracing even in performance-heavy titles. Whether you’re playing AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 or working on 3D animation, NVIDIA’s RTX series ensures a seamless and stunning visual experience.
AMD Radeon RX Series
While NVIDIA often takes the spotlight in the world of ray tracing, AMD’s Radeon RX series is another player to consider. The Radeon RX 6000 series, such as the RX 6800 XT and RX 6900 XT, introduced support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing with AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture. AMD’s approach to ray tracing has focused on providing solid performance at competitive prices, making them an appealing option for gamers who want a balance between cost and cutting-edge technology.
With the launch of the RX 7000 series, AMD has further refined its ray tracing capabilities, improving performance and efficiency while still competing head-to-head with NVIDIA in terms of price-to-performance ratio. For users seeking a more budget-conscious but high-performing alternative to NVIDIA, AMD is a viable choice.
PlayStation 5
Console gaming has evolved tremendously, and with the PlayStation 5, ray tracing is no longer exclusive to high-end PCs. The PS5 boasts a custom RDNA 2 GPU, which brings ray tracing to the world of console gaming with an impressive level of detail and realism. From the detailed shadows and reflections in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart to the dynamic lighting effects in Demon’s Souls, the PS5 harnesses ray tracing to elevate the gaming experience.
This technological leap has allowed PlayStation 5 users to experience the kind of graphical fidelity previously only available on high-end gaming PCs, bringing next-gen visuals to a much wider audience.
Xbox Series X and Series S
Not to be outdone by Sony, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S also feature ray tracing support, leveraging AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture. The Xbox Series X, in particular, is positioned as the more powerful of the two, offering 4K gaming with ray tracing at smooth frame rates. The Xbox Series S, while slightly less powerful, still supports ray tracing and offers an excellent entry point for gamers seeking a cost-effective solution for ray-traced gameplay.
Both consoles, with their innovative hardware, ensure that players enjoy a more visually rich and immersive gaming experience, making ray tracing an accessible technology for anyone with a next-gen console.
High-End Laptops
The rise of portable gaming has made it easier for users to enjoy ray-traced visuals on the go. Laptops equipped with NVIDIA GeForce RTX and AMD Radeon RX graphics cards offer robust performance, whether you’re gaming or engaging in creative work like video editing and 3D rendering. Some of the most popular options in the gaming laptop market, such as the Alienware m15 R6, Razer Blade 15, and Asus ROG Zephyrus, feature powerful GPUs capable of handling demanding ray-tracing tasks with ease.
With these laptops, you can experience high-end gaming and professional content creation in a compact, portable form factor, with ray tracing delivering stunning visuals wherever you go.
Ray Tracing In Handheld
While ray tracing technology has already been implemented in next-gen consoles and high-end PCs, offering stunning visual effects and realism, it is now making its way into mobile devices and handheld gaming consoles. Although the user experience on these platforms is still somewhat limited and far from matching the performance and visual quality of consoles and PCs, the inclusion of ray tracing in mobile and handheld devices represents a significant leap forward. This technology is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in portable gaming, allowing for a more immersive and visually impressive experience, even on smaller and less powerful devices. While ray tracing in mobile platforms is still evolving, its presence signals a promising future for mobile gaming, where cutting-edge graphics could soon be a standard feature.
Phones with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Chipset: Bringing Ray Tracing Magic
One of the chips transforming the game is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. With significant improvements to its Adreno GPU, this chipset is capable of supporting ray tracing, pushing mobile graphics to new heights. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Xiaomi 13 can now run games with ray tracing, although performance may still be limited compared to consoles and PCs.
Asus ROG Phone 7: A Flagship Series for Mobile Gamers
Known for its exceptional graphics, the Asus ROG Phone 7 uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to support ray tracing. This handheld gaming device not only offers an AMOLED display with a high refresh rate but also optimizes AAA games with ray tracing technology, although it’s not as powerful as desktop graphics. The ROG Phone 7 is a top choice for mobile gamers seeking a high-end visual experience in the palm of their hands.
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro: Gaming Power in a Compact Form
The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro offers a perfect combination of performance and portability. Using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, this phone supports ray tracing in several compatible game titles. Its standout feature is its ability to maintain a stable frame rate, making it a solid choice for gamers who want cutting-edge graphics without sacrificing portability.
Nvidia Shield Portable: Handheld Console with Ray Tracing Support
While older, the Nvidia Shield Portable remains relevant as a handheld gaming device capable of streaming games with ray tracing from a PC. By streaming from more powerful devices, this handheld allows users to enjoy games with ray tracing without sacrificing graphical quality.
Steam Deck 2 and Switch 2: Light Ray Tracing Adoption in Handheld Gaming
Significant advancements in handheld gaming technology are not just limited to phones but also extend to portable consoles like the Steam Deck 2 and Switch 2, both of which are beginning to adopt lighter ray tracing features. These devices are expected to elevate portable gaming by incorporating graphics capable of handling the effects required for ray tracing, though in a more limited capacity compared to PCs or next-gen consoles.
The Steam Deck 2, Valve’s successor to the popular handheld console, is expected to feature a more powerful GPU with more efficient ray tracing capabilities. While it’s anticipated that ray tracing on the Steam Deck 2 will be less complex than on desktop versions, it still promises to deliver a PC gaming experience in a portable format.
Similarly, Switch 2, which is likely to feature the latest Nvidia chipset, is expected to bring light ray tracing capabilities, allowing developers to implement more realistic visual effects in their games. Although the Nintendo Switch 2 is still speculative, its adoption of ray tracing could be a significant leap for handheld gaming, offering a more immersive experience in a compact and portable device.
Looking to the Future: The Evolution of Mobile Gaming
While ray tracing technology on phones and handheld devices is still evolving, its presence signals a new era in portable gaming. Big titles like Genshin Impact and Shadow of the Tomb Raider are increasingly showcasing the potential of this technology in creating more immersive and lifelike gaming worlds.
However, it’s important to note that while these devices support ray tracing, the gaming experience with this feature is still more optimal on consoles or PCs, as mobile devices generally can’t match the raw power of desktop GPUs in terms of graphics and ray tracing performance.
With the continuous advancement of mobile and handheld gaming technologies, we can only imagine what the future of mobile gaming will hold. Devices like phones with the latest Snapdragon chips, handheld gaming devices from major brands, and portable consoles like the Steam Deck 2 and Switch 2 are increasingly closing the gap with the graphics quality we’ve enjoyed on consoles and PCs. Over time, we can expect more mobile and handheld devices to support ray tracing, delivering richer gaming experiences and stunning visuals.
Games That Have Embraced Ray Tracing
With ray tracing now a reality, several games have tapped into its potential to elevate their visuals. These titles showcase what the tech can do, bringing virtual worlds to life with sharp details and natural lighting. Here’s a look at some of the standout examples that have made the leap.
1. Cyberpunk 2077: A City Illuminated
Night City in Cyberpunk 2077 is a dazzling canvas for ray tracing. Neon lights reflect off glass surfaces, soft shadows stretch from street lamps, and global illumination paints a dystopian world with striking realism. Paired with NVIDIA DLSS for smooth performance, the technology shines in details like light bouncing off puddles, making the environment feel tangible and alive.
2. Control: Depth in Light and Shadow
Control leverages ray tracing to enhance its stark, brutalist aesthetic. Reflections gleam across polished floors, dynamic shadows carve out intricate spaces, and real-time lighting amplifies the game’s eerie atmosphere. This integration transforms each area into a narrative element, immersing players in a world that feels both strange and vivid.
3. Metro Exodus (Enhanced Edition): Light Amid Ruins
In Metro Exodus, ray tracing crafts a hauntingly beautiful post-apocalyptic landscape. Global illumination creates sharp contrasts between dark tunnels and sunlit wastelands, while shadows from debris and foliage project with lifelike accuracy. The result is an exploration experience where light shifts the mood with every step.
4. Grand Theft Auto V (Enhanced Edition): A Refreshed Los Santos
Updated in 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, GTA V Enhanced Edition introduces ray tracing to Los Santos. Reflections shimmer on car surfaces, shadows soften under swaying palms, and wet streets mirror city lights. While not as exhaustive as newer implementations, this hybrid approach revitalizes a classic with a modern sheen.
5. Minecraft (RTX): Blocky Realism Redefined
Minecraft RTX proves ray tracing’s versatility, elevating its blocky charm. Sunlight filters through gaps, water surfaces mirror the sky, and torchlight casts dynamic shadows. This fusion of simplicity and sophistication turns a familiar world into a visually striking playground.
Games on the Horizon with Ray Tracing
Looking ahead, ray tracing is poised to redefine gaming further. These upcoming titles promise to push boundaries, blending cutting-edge visuals with innovative design to set new standards.
1. Grand Theft Auto VI: A New Benchmark for Open Worlds
Set for Fall 2025 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (with PC in 2026), GTA VI is gearing up to dazzle. Early trailers hint at real-time reflections and global illumination (RTGI), illuminating Vice City’s beaches and urban sprawl. Likely optimized with a hybrid approach for consoles, it’s expected to elevate open-world visuals to unprecedented heights.
2. Star Wars Outlaws: A Galaxy in Focus
Star Wars Outlaws will launch with full ray tracing and DLSS 3.5 support on PC. Expect reflections off metallic armor, dynamic shadows across desert expanses, and precise lighting in spaceship interiors. This technology promises a cinematic journey that captures the essence of the Star Wars universe.
3. Diablo IV (March 2025 Update): Darkness Enhanced
The March 2025 update for Diablo IV will introduce ray tracing to Sanctuary. Realistic shadows from lurking foes, reflections on blood-streaked stone, and enhanced lighting for magical effects will intensify the game’s grim atmosphere, making every encounter more visceral.
4. Faith of Danschant: Hereafter: Mythology Meets Modernity
This title blends Chinese mythology with ray tracing, featuring reflections on tranquil waters, shadows from swaying lanterns, and global illumination across ancient vistas. Bolstered by DLSS, it promises a seamless visual experience that feels both timeless and forward-looking.
The Ray Tracing Experience
Ray tracing reshapes how we perceive virtual worlds. In Cyberpunk 2077, neon reflections on glass create a mesmerizing depth. In Metro Exodus, the shift from shadow to sunlight feels organic and immersive. Even in GTA V, subtle shadows under trees breathe new life into familiar streets.
This brilliance comes at a cost—demanding hardware like NVIDIA RTX GPUs or next-gen consoles. Yet, innovations like DLSS ensure accessibility without sacrificing quality. Ray tracing strikes a balance between beauty and performance, a harmony developers continue to refine.
In the future, ray tracing is expected to become a standard in the gaming and computer graphics industry. With continuous improvements in hardware and optimization techniques, this technology will become more efficient and deliver even more impressive visual experiences for all gamers.
Why Is Ray Tracing Important?
Ray tracing changes how lighting and reflections are rendered in games. Previously, game developers had to use various tricks to make lighting effects look realistic. Now, with ray tracing, everything is calculated directly based on the physics of light. This doesn’t just make games look better—it also creates a more immersive playing experience.
However, this technology requires a lot of computing power. Since each light ray needs to be individually calculated, ray tracing demands a powerful graphics card to run smoothly. Fortunately, advancements like NVIDIA RTX and AMD Radeon with ray accelerators are making ray tracing more accessible to gamers.
