Feature: Path-Traced F1 25 on PS5 Pro: Codemasters Tech Demo Revealed
Path tracing represents the most computationally intensive form of ray tracing available, typically requiring high-end PC graphics cards and reduced resolutions to achieve playable frame rates. However, developers at Codemasters have achieved a notable milestone by creating a path-traced prototype version of F1 25 that runs on PlayStation 5 Pro—a significant technical accomplishment given the current-generation console’s performance constraints.
The achievement was revealed during a GDC 2026 presentation titled “Path Tracing at 200mph,” which primarily examined the PC implementation of the technology. According to the presentation, two senior engine programmers dedicated an entire year to developing the path-tracing system. While the focus was on the PC version, Codemasters’ successful demonstration on PS5 Pro suggests potential avenues for future console implementations of advanced ray-tracing techniques.
The presentation also highlighted AMD’s RX 9070 XT graphics card, which demonstrated strong performance with path-traced workloads. This indicates that newer GPU architectures may increasingly support advanced ray-tracing techniques that were previously exclusive to high-end hardware. The full GDC presentation remains available through the GDC Vault paywall.