Skyrim Modder Tests Pre-Release DLSS 5, Showing Realistic Faces
This early test gives a concrete glimpse of how DLSS 5 will change game visuals, while the modder's involvement points to a future where such AI rendering is not limited to officially supported titles.
Key Facts
- Modder PureDark released a test video showing DLSS 5 neural rendering running in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on August 28, 2026.
- The video is roughly five minutes long and focuses on the character creation screen, showing faces becoming more realistic.
- DLSS 5 was announced by NVIDIA in March 2026 with an official release planned for fall 2026.
- Starfield and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered have been announced as supported titles, but Skyrim is not officially confirmed.
- Bethesda has stated that DLSS 5's effects will remain under artists' control and be optional for players.
Reporting from 2 sources: 4Gamer.net, Game Spark.
Modder PureDark, known for upscaling and frame generation mods, released a test video showing NVIDIA's pre-release DLSS 5 neural rendering running in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The roughly five-minute video, focusing on the character creation screen, demonstrates character faces shifting to a more realistic representation with improved expressions and textures. A second video on lighting and shadows was also released, depicting a more realistic world, indicating the test scope is expanding. DLSS 5, announced in March 2026, is a real-time neural rendering technology that uses AI to recognize skin, hair, fabric, and lighting, making footage rendered with traditional methods more realistic. NVIDIA plans an official release in fall 2026. Starfield and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered have been announced as supported, but official Skyrim support is unconfirmed. Since its announcement, DLSS 5 has drawn criticism for significantly altering characters' facial features. Bethesda has said the art team will continue adjustments and that the effect remains under artists' control and optional for players. PureDark has not disclosed the tools, environment, or installation method, nor distributed a public mod, so this remains a technical experiment.
- PureDark's test uses the Skyrim character creation screen as its stage, so the face-shifting effect is the visible proof of concept rather than an in-game benchmark.
- NVIDIA positions DLSS 5 as its biggest leap since real-time ray tracing arrived in 2018, per the Game Spark coverage of the March 2026 announcement.
- The effect is adjustable: developers can tune its strength, scope, and color tone, which is meant to let each game keep its original art style.
- Bethesda's stance is that the feature stays under artist control and is optional for players, with the art team continuing to tweak it.
- Todd Howard has weighed in on the tech, saying he was surprised by the dynamism of the footage, per Game Spark.
- PureDark has not shared the tools, environment, or installation method, and has not put out a public mod, so the test is not reproducible by other players yet.
- Beyond the face video, a second clip covering lighting and shadows was released, which suggests the modder is broadening the test beyond facial rendering.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.