NVIDIA at Gamescom 2025 – AI and the cloud define the future

Gamescom 2025 is more than just a trade fair presentation for NVIDIA. The company is using the stage to showcase its vision for the future of gaming and take a look at the next era of hardware, software and artificial intelligence. What is particularly striking is that NVIDIA sees AI not just as a supplement, but as the heart of the entire ecosystem. While previous innovations were essentially aimed at more powerful hardware and more efficient graphics chips, the focus is now on the combination of high-performance hardware, cloud-based services and intelligent AI-supported functions. These should not only bring tangible improvements for players, but also open up new possibilities for developers and the modding community.

DLSS 4 and path tracing as a new basis

A central topic is the further development of DLSS. DLSS 4 is now available in over 175 games and applications and is therefore no longer just a feature for a few selected titles, but a permanent fixture in the gaming landscape. The technology is based on multi-frame generation, in which up to three AI-generated frames are created for each classic frame. This leads to massive performance increases of up to eight times compared to traditional rendering. Games such as Borderlands 4, Resident Evil Requiem, Phantom Blade Zero, PRAGMATA and Fate Trigger impressively demonstrate how DLSS 4 can achieve high frame rates with smooth movements even in extremely graphically demanding scenarios.

At the same time, path tracing, which was previously considered more of an experimental gimmick, has become the new standard. Resident Evil Requiem and Directive 8020 will be released directly with full path tracing support. This technology makes it possible to raise lighting effects, shadows and reflections to a level that was previously only possible in offline rendering environments. This increasingly blurs the boundary between real-time graphics and pre-rendered scenes. Particularly noteworthy is RTX Hair, a new function that simulates hair and fur based on path tracing. With this technology, developers can now create much more believable character models. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be the first game to use this new technology in September 2025, demonstrating just how big the visual difference is.

GeForce NOW and the Blackwell SuperPods

The GeForce NOW cloud gaming offering is also undergoing a fundamental overhaul. With the introduction of the RTX-5080 SuperPods, the platform achieves a level of performance that was previously reserved for local high-end PCs. Benchmarks show up to 2.8 times more frames per second compared to the previous RTX-4080 SuperPods, tested in Doom: The Dark Ages, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Cyberpunk 2077, Flight Simulator 2024 and Dune Awakening, among others. This means that cloud gaming is no longer perceived as a compromise solution, but as a real alternative for anyone who wants to play independently of their own hardware.

NVIDIA is paying particular attention to image quality. With Cinematic Quality Streaming, technologies such as YUV 4:4:4 Chroma, HDR10 and SDR10 are used to ensure razor-sharp text, vivid colors and smooth transitions. Supported by AV1 streaming with adaptive resolution changes and an AI-based video filter, images are created that remain clear and stable even in complex scenes. Low Latency Streaming complements this with extremely low input delays. With the help of Reflex, Rivermax Packet Pacing and Cloud G-SYNC, GeForce NOW achieves latencies of around 30 milliseconds from click to image output, which is competitive even in the competitive field.

NVIDIA is also extending support to other devices and peripherals. The Steam Deck now supports 90 FPS, the Lenovo Legion Go S even 120 FPS. Accessories such as Logitech Racing Wheels are also integrated, including haptics. GeForce NOW runs with 4K HDR at 120 FPS on LG TVs and even with 5K at 120 Hz on modern LG OLED monitors. Another new feature is the Install-to-Play function, which makes it possible to install games directly in the cloud on NVMesh storage. This means that over 2200 additional Steam titles can be played immediately without having to download them again. Users also benefit from persistent storage, which is available in various levels between 100 GB and 1 TB and ensures that game saves and installations are retained.

Project G-Assist – the smart assistant for gamers

One of the most exciting innovations is the further development of Project G-Assist, an AI-supported assistant that has been specially developed for gamers. RTX systems can be controlled, game settings optimized or hardware components configured using voice or text input. G-Assist can perform diagnostics, display performance graphs with frame rates and temperatures or adjust settings for keyboards and other peripherals.

The new model requires 40 percent less memory than before and therefore runs on all RTX GPUs with at least 6 GB of VRAM, including laptops. This makes it accessible to a wide range of users for the first time. From September, special commands for mobile systems such as BatteryBoost or Battery OPS will follow, which are particularly interesting for notebook users.

Particularly noteworthy is the introduction of the plug-in hub in cooperation with Mod.io, which allows users not only to discover plug-ins but also to install them directly in G-Assist. The potential was already evident at the hackathon: Omniplay enables the parallel lookup of game databases, Launchpad bundles applications for greater productivity and Flux allows AI-supported image generation within the game. Thanks to the Plug-In Builder, developers can create their own extensions in JSON or Python and even have them generated using natural language. This opens up NVIDIA G-Assist to community-driven development that goes far beyond what a single company could achieve on its own.

NVIDIA App – the control center for RTX PCs

The NVIDIA app becomes the central platform that bundles all important functions for RTX users. It enables driver updates, the management of game profiles and comprehensive control over system settings. A major innovation is the ability to apply DLSS settings globally. This means that users no longer have to configure each game individually, but can activate Multi Frame Generation or Super Resolution once and use them in all supported games.

The app also integrates classic 3D settings such as anisotropic filtering, anti-aliasing and ambient occlusion, which are important for many older titles. Smooth Motion is also being added, a function that stabilizes frame rates and ensures smoother movements. The beta version will launch on August 19, 2025, with full availability following a week later. This makes NVIDIA’s app an indispensable tool for all RTX users who want to get the most out of their system without in-depth specialist knowledge.

RTX Remix – modding on a new level

RTX Remix is increasingly becoming a hub for creative modding projects. Since its launch, more than 350 projects have been launched and over 100 mods have been released, including for classics such as Half-Life 2, Need for Speed: Underground, Portal 2 and Deus Ex. RTX technologies such as DLSS 4 and Path Tracing give these games a visual upgrade that makes them attractive to new players and even more exciting for long-time fans.

A new particle system, available from September, brings modern effects to 165 classic games that previously had no particle editors at all. Developers and modders will be able to freely customize particle size, light emission, turbulence or gravity. The results range from subtle improvements to spectacular effects reminiscent of current AAA games. Prize money of 50,000 dollars was awarded in the RTX Remix Modding Contest. Painkiller RTX Remix won several categories, while other projects such as Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines and Call of Duty 2 Carentan RTX also demonstrated their enormous potential.

The community is also expanding RTX Remix with creative hacks. For example, an interface to Adobe Substance 3D has been developed, which can be used to make textures more realistic. Other modders have developed plug-ins that automatically add emissive maps to old game objects. In this way, NVIDIA is not only opening up the platform to official developers, but also making it a playground for a growing community.

NVIDIA ACE – living NPCs

NVIDIA ACE brings AI directly into the interactions between players and non-player characters. Instead of scripted dialog, NPCs can now respond to natural language input. ACE’s architecture includes voice recording, speech recognition, a narrative engine and a language model that selects and plays back appropriate responses.

A practical example is The Oversight Bureau from Iconic Interactive. In this game, players can speak directly to characters whose reactions are dynamic and context-sensitive. The creative control remains with the developers, as ACE does not invent new stories on its own, but works with prepared dialog modules that are selected according to the situation. The technology runs locally on RTX PCs and achieves sub-second latency, making interactions fluid and believable.

RTX Hair

New is RTX Hair, a rendering technique for hair on Blackwell hardware. It creates denser strands, more natural lighting and more consistent shadows with less use of geometry. An example shows complex backlit hairstyles in an upcoming title. RTX Remix is being expanded for the modding community. New tools, plugins and extended support for common authoring tools will be shown, including material exchange plugins and automated auxiliary data generation for textures. A particle system allows correct reflections and lighting in path-traced scenes. The number of compatible games is in the three-digit range, supplemented by an ongoing competition.

Bundles and marketing campaigns

To support the release of Borderlands 4, NVIDIA has put together a bundle that is available with the purchase of an RTX 5090, 5080, 5070 Ti or 5070 and corresponding laptops. Buyers not only receive the game itself, but also the Gilded Glory Pack. The offer is limited in time and runs until September 22, 2025.

Community and networking

In addition to technological innovations, NVIDIA is focusing heavily on the community. Plug-ins for G-Assist are shared via Mod.io, RTX Remix projects are published on ModDB. Discord servers serve as platforms for the exchange and presentation of ongoing projects. NVIDIA also uses social media channels such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X and LinkedIn to reach a wide audience and keep them informed about the latest developments. In this way, the company is anchoring its technologies not only among developers and professional modders, but also in the wider gaming culture.

Conclusion

Gamescom 2025 impressively demonstrates how NVIDIA is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in gaming and presenting a vision that goes far beyond simply increasing performance. The focus is on the consistent integration of artificial intelligence into almost all levels of the gaming ecosystem. With DLSS 4, which is now established in over 175 games, NVIDIA proves that AI-supported rendering is no longer a special feature, but the foundation of modern game development. At the same time, path tracing is moving from experiment to standard, raising graphical authenticity to a level that is almost indistinguishable from pre-rendered scenes. Complemented by innovations such as RTX Hair, it is clear that visual realism plays a central role in the company’s strategy. At the same time, NVIDIA is taking cloud gaming to a new level with GeForce NOW. The RTX-5080 SuperPods manage to transfer the advantages of local high-end hardware to the cloud, making gaming accessible to users regardless of their own PC equipment. With Cinematic Quality Streaming and Low Latency Streaming, previous disadvantages such as image blur or latency problems almost completely disappear. Functions such as install-to-play and persistent cloud storage also make GeForce NOW a platform that is not only flexible but also convenient to use in the long term. This establishes cloud gaming as a serious alternative and shows how strongly NVIDIA is shaping the market beyond hardware.

Another cornerstone of the announcements is Project G-Assist, which exemplifies how NVIDIA wants to make gaming not only more powerful, but also more accessible. Gamers no longer have to fight their way through complex menus, but can control their systems using simple voice or text inputs. The plug-in hub opens the door for a vibrant developer and user community to enhance G-Assist with creative features. This creates a foundation on which a completely new ecosystem of additional functions can develop. At the same time, the NVIDIA app shows that the company has understood the importance of ease of use. With global DLSS overrides, advanced 3D settings and Smooth Motion, the app bundles functions that were previously scattered or difficult to access. For users, this means that the full performance of their hardware becomes easier to use. It bridges the gap between complexity and ease of use, ensuring that even less tech-savvy gamers can benefit from the full potential of their hardware.

Finally, RTX Remix highlights the central role of the community. For many gamers, modding is not just a hobby, but a creative expression that reinterprets games and gives them a second life. With the new particle system, the possibilities of path tracing and the integration of external tools, NVIDIA is opening the door for a new wave of remasters that bring classics into the present. The awarding of prizes in the modding contest also underlines the value that NVIDIA places on the work of the community and signals that players and developers alike are part of the ecosystem. Finally, with NVIDIA ACE, the company is going one step further and changing how players interact with virtual worlds. NPCs that respond to voice input in real time and fit organically into the flow of the game mark the beginning of a new kind of immersion. This not only makes game worlds seem more realistic, but also more alive and individual. Developers retain creative control, while players experience a new form of interactivity.

Taken together, the result is the image of a company that not only introduces new products, but also pursues a consistent strategy. NVIDIA defines gaming as an interplay of hardware, cloud, AI and community. Gamescom 2025 makes it clear that these elements do not exist separately, but rather reinforce each other. Gamers benefit from more performance, better graphics and new interaction possibilities. Developers receive tools to make their visions easier to implement. And the modding community gets platforms that push their creative potential to new heights.

NVIDIA is setting the standard for the entire industry. It is clear that gaming of the future is not just a question of more powerful hardware, but of the intelligent combination of technologies that create a holistic experience. Gamescom 2025 marks not just a product launch, but the beginning of a new phase in which AI, cloud and creativity will form the foundation on which the next years of gaming will be built.