this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2023
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can somebody please ELI5 ray tracing for me. Yes I have googled and am only more confused
Instead of applying filters over textures once, ray tracing literally simulates photons bouncing all over the place every single frame
*Instead of developers having to use thousands of tricks, filters, shortcuts, and post-processing algorithms very carefully arranged and stacked, ray tracing simulates light waves to arrive at the same end result the same way the world actually works.
Ultimately, ray tracing will mean the vast simplification (and therefore cost reduction) of the way visuals in games are produced. Which I'd wager is why it's being pushed so hard.